Netting practices

[ozzyrockman]

I heard a rumor that someone could explain to me how to net a koi with little stress. The last time I had to net a healthy koi I was wetter than the it was. :x Keep in mind I grew up on a farm in Minnesota and during fishing season we never worried about the stress that was inflicted on a fish while netting it. I hope you are not referring to the hook and worm technique of netting. :lol: Allen

[Jackie Ramo]

The real secret to netting fish is slipping them a few beers first Just kidding

a proper net is needed, not a fishing net but a pan flat net. As one can never be faster than the fish we have to be smarter so save those beers until after you catch the fish. :D

The real pros use the net to guide the fish into a bowl... My fish take one look at dive for the bottom so so far that hasn't worked for me.

As my pond is quite wide I usually get Smith, hubby, to stand on the far side to stop them from getting out of my reach, or in other words, scare the fish to me. Not terrorize just move his net around so they don't want to go there.

Comin up behind the fish doesn't work for me. I need them to swim over the pan net and as they do I raise the edge they are swimming towards so they also start to come up and presto they are caught. :lol: The bigger the fish the easier to catch them, little guys are the very devil.

[Terri]

I'm still practicing the "art" but Ian's got it down pat! he can net a koi(any size) in just a minute or two.
Jackie I actually find I'm better a netting the young fish than the older, bigger ones.

I agree with Jackie, the best net to use is a pan net. They come in different diameters, usual standard sizes are 20" up to 30". For smaller koi a good shallow dip net will do, handle lenght is a factor... I like the telescopic" handles myself. Sock nets are a handy tool and good investment, especially if you have larger fish.

You really need to antisipate the fishes movements, using the net to guide them away from the other's to a selected "catch spot". It's important to try and keep the net under the koi, on a slight angle, and work the koi to the surface, slow and easy - think Zen :D. The angle of the net is critical, always tilted up away from the head of the koi, this should discourage them from jumping, if they do try to jump the net the angle allows you to stop them(most times ;) ). It should take just a few minutes for the koi the relent - you'll notice it stop, hover, and usually turn it's face towards the net(see "jumping"), at this point the koi and net should be near the surface, in a gentle yet swift movement upwards you've got the koi netted. Larger koi should not be lifted out of the water in a net but herded into a bowl or placed into a sock net or bag.

Always go slow, chasing the koi only freaks them out or making that fast/agressive dip to catch them when they take flight(this can also cause injury).

Keep your focus on one koi only... don't switch to another subject after a failed attempt. Don't keep going on and on, after 5 to 10 mins if you haven't caught the koi you wished then take a break and come back later to try again. If you feel yourself becoming frustrated then it's time to break session off. Sometime having two people work the pond/tank make the job easier. One to catch, one to "guide net" and help with bowling/bagging.

It takes practice and the only way to get it down is to keep at it. Ian laughs at me when I've made a successful catch, I guess cause I have this silly proud grin on my face and usually give a "whoo hoo I did it!" :lol:
I'm not saying net your fish constantly, but do take time to learn and get comfortable... you'll find that your koi will also get used to the process and become more predictable so it takes less time - and if the catch and release is a "nice" experience for them they tend to not freak out as much when the net goes into the water. What I mean is, don't just net the koi when there's something wrong, like a suspected illness... net, have a look over the fish, and release back to the pond/tank. Feed them a treat afterwards while you enjoy that beer ;)

[ozzyrockman]

The way it sounds I will have to save the beer for later, put down the salmon net and go hunting for a koi without a gun :lol: . Tell me why a regular old fishing net shouldn't be used? I saw the prices of koi nets and they where scraping my jaw off the floor with a putty knife. Allen

[Terri]

Regular old fishing nets are not meant for "pets", they are ment for "meals" :lol: The texture of the fishing nets and the size of the mesh are the main issue ... depends on quality ... but these nets can cause damage to fins and scales. The koi nets, with the price tag, have a nicer quality of mesh and a finer weave.... having said that, not all koi nets are created equal.

[Dayleen]

Terri is dead on....chase them and forget it. Plus it is an aerobic workout swinging a 30" net through the water.

Pick one and stay with it. Be calm...antisipate...antisipate and be gentle.

Guide them into a bowl.

I can catch any fish in my pond in 2 minutes or less. One, they are used to being handled so i can practically pick up the big girls by hand. It's the smaller guys that think they're to fast to get caught...little bratts!!

Patience grasshopper...patience :lol:

[Jackie Ramo]

Yes, I think the mistake many of us, including myself, is not handling the fish often enough for them and ourselves to get used to the process.

[Tamianth]

LOL, I've been the recipient of a couple of those bath's myself! But Bectie gets mad, she does not like being moved period, a result I think of her original owners moving her about 9 times in some 7 years....... plunked in pond and stock tank.

I found a nice very soft nylon net for the smaller and younger koi, but I'm still looking for one like it for bigger and will be looking to get a nice sock type down the road.

One trick I did find helpful though is lowering the water down, less room that way, and the smallest work well by scooping up in a bucket (5 gl). The bucket can be laid on side and then patiently herding them in.....

[Jackie Ramo]

Yes. lowering the water level helps a lot especially in catching the small guys. I thought I had all of mine out of the pond one time only to find 3 babies in the very bottom when the entire pond was drained.