Keepnet Limits

Hi everyone

What are your opinions on Keepnet limits in matches?

Do you think there should be a limit of say 60lb enforced in matches? As the weights seem to be going up and up and up on some over stocked waters, should some sensible rules be brought it to stop over filled nets and fish suffering?

It is hard to judge what is in your net so its a close call on how to manage this correctly.

Any thoughts?

Phil

Hi Phil

Yes i believe that the should be a limit on keeping fish in keep nets in matches. Some fisheries range from 50 lb to 100 lb per keep net, however in my opinion it should be limited to 50 lb per net with say a 10lb torrance. Some fisheries allow to to mix small carp with silvers and some don't. I would prefer silvers in a separate keep net. I use a counter/clicker to estimate the weight of the fish, is gives me some idea of weight in that net. After all we should all be aware of fish welfare and respect the sport that we all love.

While you have mentioned the keeping of fish in nets and this being a welfare matter, I would like to bring up the use of heavey elastics in pole kits and the bullying of fish. I recently fished a match at Alders Farm and most of these carp had parrot mouths however ite not the only venue i have see this problem.
Anglers are now going back to light elastics with a puller bung. I believe this is the way forward in landing big fish and in honest opinion better for thoses fishes mouths. What do you guy's think of one keepnets and two pole elastics.

Regards Steve

Hi Steve, thats a very good point about a tolerance as it is so hard to judge.

I would say it should be 50lb with 60lb maximum but silvers must be seperated into a seperate net or there could be crushing and fish fatalities.

I kno match anglers fish to win but fish welfare must be paramount even in a overstocked commercial.

Phil

Well as a none match angler i dont think i can answer this one without being a little bit off the mark.
I have always been against keep nets being used outside of match fishing for starters and i think there should be a weight resrection of 60lb per net in matches on the grounds of fish welfare with a half way weigh in at all matches so nets are emptied and fish released without further stress.
As for pole elastics,are these damaged mouths from match fishing or pleasure anglers?are there snags to be aware of? i dont know the venue you speak of so have no idea but using a big elastic for F1 carp is stupid because not many grow beyond 5lb so you need only have light set up for these and not bungee,can't comment on puller bungs having never used them but if right elastic is used then there should be little chance of damage being done to fishes mouths so now my Question how often is a match angler checked for there experience i wonder because i have seen some that to be honest are about as good as as i am at flying a plane,no idea,some join clubs and right away they think they are steve Ringer but just take time out and check what gear they use and see what i mean when i say,no idea,sorry for going off topic a little

Keep carp and silvers in seperate nets, carp under 2lb go in with the silvers,then a limit of 100lb carp per net.

However if you are catching well and have another net start that one as well.
Common sense is all it requires really..

The way you handle the fish while weighing in is where the difference counts for me, this is where care is needed IMHO.

I think a lot of it is common sense, on venues like Manor farm where it is all F1 fishing and they are like peas in a pod it is a straight 50 /50 split between 2 nets. As on a lot of the pools, the fish are more or less the same stamp.
On a mixed fishery I think you should split the fish to silvers, carp to 2lb and propper carp. This may mean 3 nets but if thats the case then so be it. It wouldnt bother me doing it that way if it meant better fish welfare.