Why Proper Net Use Protects Fish Before, During, and After Release

Most anglers think of nets as the final step in landing a fish. In reality, a net is one of the most important tools for protecting fish during catch and release. The key benefit is simple. Nets reduce the amount of time a fish spends in your hands and keep the fish away from harmful contact points like boat decks, rocks, gravel bars, pontoon floors, and gunwales.

Fish handling science is clear. Every moment a fish is out of the water increases stress, and every contact with a dry or abrasive surface increases injury. A well designed landing net eliminates much of that risk.

1. Nets Reduce the Need to Grab the Fish

Most handling damage happens when an angler tries to control a fish with bare hands or gloves. Fish instinctively twist, kick, and roll when gripped. This leads to:

• Slime coat loss
• Loss of scales
• Compression of internal organs
• Additional thrashing and stress

Using a net solves the core problem. The net supports the fish without squeezing it. The angler manipulates the net frame, not the fish, which preserves the slime coat and prevents unnecessary pressure.

Rubber net bags are especially protective because they reduce abrasion and tangling.

2. Nets Keep Fish Out of the Boat

Deck contact is one of the most harmful and underrated threats to released fish, especially in saltwater and drift boat environments. Dry surfaces pull the slime coat from the skin within moments. Nonskid decks are abrasive. Aluminum or fiberglass gunwales are hot in the sun and can burn sensitive tissue.

Common types of deck damage include:

• Slime coat removal
• Skin abrasion
• Jaw damage from thrashing
• Fin tearing
• Temperature shock

When the fish stays in the net, it never touches the deck. The rubber bag cradles the fish in water and prevents thrashing injuries that often occur once a fish hits a hard surface.

3. Nets Reduce Air Exposure by Controlling Movement

Air exposure is the fastest way to elevate stress in fish. A fish that thrashes in your hands forces you to lift it again and again, which compounds stress and oxygen debt.

A net prevents the chaos.

• The fish stays submerged while unhooking.
• The angler can work calmly and efficiently.
• There is no need to lift the fish repeatedly.

This also means fewer dropped fish, fewer fumbled releases, and fewer emergency grabs that cause secondary injuries.

4. Nets Improve Unhooking Speed

A net stabilizes the fish and positions it so the angler can quickly remove the hook. When paired with proper tools, unhooking happens faster and with far less handling.

Recommended tools from Rising:

• Bob’s Tactical Crocodile
Efficient hook removal with minimal fish contact.

• Work 6 Pliers
Strong leverage for dehooking large fish and streamers.

The faster the hook comes out, the less time the fish spends restrained. This lowers stress and reduces the chance of predation after release.

5. Nets Provide Recovery Support at the End of the Fight

A controlled recovery is essential. Fish need time in clean, flowing water to reoxygenate their gills and regain equilibrium. Without a net, anglers often attempt to hold a struggling fish by the tail or jaw, which causes further stress.

A proper net allows:

• Upright support during recovery
• Steady orientation in the current
• A calm environment for the fish to regain strength

Once the fish kicks strongly and holds its body position on its own, it is ready to go.

6. Nets Help Prevent Post Release Depredation

Fish released in a weakened state are easy targets for predators. Sharks, seals, barracuda, pike, and birds all respond to distressed behavior. Nets reduce fight time, reduce handling, and eliminate deck contact, which means the fish can swim away with more speed and control.

A strong fish at the moment of release is far less likely to be eaten.

7. The Net Is an Ethical Tool, Not an Optional One

Some anglers still avoid nets because they believe they are cumbersome or unnecessary. That is outdated thinking. Modern nets are fish safe, lightweight, and designed for ease of use. The real question is not, “Do I need a net?” It is, “How much harm am I avoiding by using one?”

Rising nets are built for this exact purpose:

• Rubber bags for slime coat protection
• Deep baskets for stability
• Rigid hoops for accurate placement
• Modular handles for wading, hiking, or boat use

Every feature exists to reduce stress and prevent contact with harmful surfaces.

Final Thought

Using a net is one of the simplest and most effective actions an angler can take to protect fish. It reduces handling, eliminates deck contact, speeds up unhooking, and supports recovery. When the fish never touches a dry surface and never leaves the water, its chance of survival improves dramatically.

Better gear leads to better outcomes. Nets are not just landing tools. They are fish safety tools.