Quick Question about Collecting and taking fish home
- Thread starter Rays of Sunshine
- Start date
I have the best results by going out in the spring with a fine meshed net, netting through the weeds at the bank where there is lots of cover, grass etc. I usually get 8=10 young per scoop, of what ever species is prevelant in the lake or pond im at.
Immediately in clean aerated water in a medium sized cooler, and im on the way home with as many young as i care to take, very few or no losses.
I never try to keep adult fish, although some do with no problem, it just seems the younger fish take that stress better.
Immediately in clean aerated water in a medium sized cooler, and im on the way home with as many young as i care to take, very few or no losses.
I never try to keep adult fish, although some do with no problem, it just seems the younger fish take that stress better.
jim;4324626; said:
I find what Jim stated here Is true down to the period, I do the same thing but I use a 5 gallon with a large battery air pump in the bucket, Works great for even long trips home. Depends on the species sometimes because some fish are more sensitive to stress and water temp change.
I use a cast net to catch my fish, I put them in a 5gal bucket with river water and bring them back to the house, I only have about a 3 minute drive, so I don't have an aerator, for transport. Once I get 'em back, I take a long piece of tubing that you'd use for an aerator, and do a slow drip acclimation in the bucket for 1-3 hours. Then I net the fish out of the bucket, into the tank and I've had great success.
I have very little success with cast nets, usually just get tangled in them and throw myself in the lake 
No.... lol just kidding, Ive never tried them but have recently given that some serious consideration, as ive found a creek, over run with baby gar, that im having the itch to add one to a 150 in my garage.
It seems the net would be the perfect way to get a few to choose from, pick the nicest lookin one and toss the rest back.
No.... lol just kidding, Ive never tried them but have recently given that some serious consideration, as ive found a creek, over run with baby gar, that im having the itch to add one to a 150 in my garage.
It seems the net would be the perfect way to get a few to choose from, pick the nicest lookin one and toss the rest back.
I tried a cast net in a lake rescue. I caught fish 9/10 times I pulled it in. However, the net would dig into the fish's skin and make triangular cuts as it is being pulled in. There was a lot of damage.
I've been using cast nets and I've not encountered any of these problems. All of the fish I've brought back have done just fine and I haven't noticed any damage.
When you first get a cast net, you should soak it in warm water with some detergent/fabric softener. It softens the net, making it easier to throw and a little easier on the fish. With this net I have caught pumpkinseed, white and yellow perch and pickerel, all small fish that have fared just fine after the catch, in transport and in my tanks.
In addition to that I've caught pickerel over 14 inches, full grown pumpkinseeds and white perch, alewife and menhaden. You never know what you're going to get, plus throwing the net is a challenge every time, I love that!
When you first get a cast net, you should soak it in warm water with some detergent/fabric softener. It softens the net, making it easier to throw and a little easier on the fish. With this net I have caught pumpkinseed, white and yellow perch and pickerel, all small fish that have fared just fine after the catch, in transport and in my tanks.
In addition to that I've caught pickerel over 14 inches, full grown pumpkinseeds and white perch, alewife and menhaden. You never know what you're going to get, plus throwing the net is a challenge every time, I love that!
