Catch-and-Release...

If you really care, get a special landing net

It is now common practice to catch-and-release. Often anglers have an exact replica made for a wall-mount of a record fish, and all you need is a certified scale, a camera and a measuring tape. Best of all, you are left feeling good that your prize catch will live to grow, breed and fight again another day. Landing nets need to be fish-friendly. Older styles had coarse mesh bags with large, rough knots that not only often injure the fish but also allowed hooks to hang in the weave.

But now some of the most recent net designs are intended for catch-and-release anglers. They have softer bags and special coatings that prevent hooks from penetrating the threads. These nets come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, from small one-handed teardrop styles to huge flat-faced hoops with long handles for landing large fish from boats, piers and jetties. Here are some sources--

All nets made by Ed Wachter are one-of-a-kind creations and come with ultra soft netting for careful fish handling. ($90, Guide C&R Net, Wachter, 972-429-9301, www.wachternets.com)

The Fabill Company makes a bag with a 14- by 18-inch opening of fine knotless mesh with a flat bottom to softly cradle the fish until released. ($49.99, Model #3405, Frabill, 800-558-1005, www.frabill.com). This firm also offers nets for larger saltwater species that require a sturdy aluminum frame net and handle that will telescope for a long reach from a high position. The bag should be tough enough to withstand a thrashing from kingfish, barracuda and shark teeth or the razor-sharp gill plates of snook.

A design especially for bass fishing is the Frabill Pro-Tech Catch & Release Net. It has a wide straight front rim and cushion-coated knotless mesh 21- by 24-inch bag with a flat bottom. The 36-inch light graphite handle ends in a thick non-slip indented foam grip great for one-handed control. It totally collapses without tools and fits into its own clear vinyl bag for rod locker stowage or air travel. ($69.99, Model 3700, Frabill)

The Fox Tourist Net -- made for delicate handling of huge carp, salmon and steelheads-- have a lighter, softer and longer design with a 42-inch triangular opening double-mesh bag weighs only 2 pounds. The graphite composite handle telescopes out, allowing an amazing 10-foot reach. This length, plus the outstretch of an arm, gives the angler a great advantage if fishing from a riverbank or rough shoreline. Heavier fish must not be dead-lifted with the thin handle, but, instead, pulled to shore and landed by grabbing the bag. Intended for the traveler, the net disassembles and fits into a 4- by 33-inch tube for easy transport and storage. ($149.95, Tourist Landing Net, Fox, 918-331-9047, www.bigcarptackle.com)