Anyone else losing em at the boat?

[scrat]

Small fish under 10" or 11"I flip in the boat. Fish 12" and over I use a net. They don't call them paper mouth for nothing there weight will tear the hook out of there mouth.

[Snubby]

I never use a net fishing alone. I work them in close to the boat and grab the main line and hoist them in. I've lost more fish fumbling with a net then I have not using one. I will use one with two in the boat if pulling cranks or long lining, just seems easier when they are coming towards the stern. I will keep one for pushing with two in case of emergency, but don't rely on it much. By myself there won't be a net in the boat no matter the method. I think better hooks (sickle preferably) or bigger regular may help. A good hookset is crucial as well. In MS we tend to try to cross thier eyeballs when setting. You get them in the roof of the mouth or any hard cartilage then they aren't as delicate as most think. I have to use needle nose most the time to remove buried hooks. All great advice and to each their own, me personally I despise a net especially fishing solo.

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[pab1981]

The big key to not losing them is where you hook them. Not going to lose many when hooked like this one this week. I have lost plenty fooling around to get the net or waiting for someone else to be ready with the net, the net isn't a cure all. If they aren't hooked good some will pop off. I have messed around a lot with different hooks last several years and am starting to see some trends but you have to figure out what works best for you.

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[ezgoing]

I seldom use a net and I never use a hard set of the hook although two of my friends keep telling me I should. I prefer to use 1/64 jigs and seldom lose crappie using with them with a soft hook set. But sometimes I do lose them and it is always the biggest one of the day when I do lose one.

I also never use minnows on jigs but use a minnow rig the few times I do use minnows.

Steady pressure on the line after hook up works most of the time for me. Nets are the best insurance but a little hard from a pontoon.

As you can see there are a variety of opinions on this question and each person's answer works best for them.

[BuckeyeCrappie]

Get a good hook set to sink it in the upper mouth plus a good net as backup. A good hook set has increased my landing fish rate by 50% or more.

[ichabod]

hardly ever lose a crappie,when i do i check the hook point and it's usually dull . use good hooks and make sure they are sharp.

[Chuck Adams]

I repurposed one of my swimming poles. Attached a net to inside portion and pool noodle a couple foot down from handle. It is approximately 11 foot long. Haven’t tried it yet but it does float.
I’ll know soon if I can handle it by myself. With 2 people in boat it will be no problem.


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[Eagle 1]

Maybe rod to stiff ? No stretch lines can yield that result also .