A Simple Procedure for Transporting and Deploying Large Holding Nets

Hernandez, J. L., J. C. Chamberlin and R. W. Wienecke, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, HC 07, Box 62, Ingram, TX 78025

A recent evaluation of angling mortality associated with black bass (Micropterus spp.) tournaments required the use of large cylindrical holding nets (5.5 m in diameter and 9.1 m deep) capable of holding 200 adult largemouth bass (M. salmoides). Because typical work boats are only 5-6 m in length, a means had to be developed to effectively and efficiently transport and deploy the nets. A scissor-like apparatus was fabricated to fit a 5.5-m flatbottom boat. Each arm of the scissors was constructed of a 6.1-m, 5.1- x 8.0-cm board. Upon launching the boat, the apparatus was extended (scissored open) and attached to the gunwales with clamps with the midpoint of the scissors approximately 2 m from the front of the boat. Each holding net was secured to PVC-pipe framing and assembled atop two parallel 6.1-m, 5.1- x 8.0-cm wooden runners on shore. The runners allowed the assembled net to be carried to the boat and placed on the scissor-like frame, providing support for the net while allowing it to extend beyond the front of the boat. Once transported to the deployment site, a second boat simply pulled alongside the transport boat and raised the ends of the runners, allowing the holding net to slide down the runners into the water. When in the water, weighted bottom holding net frames sank while the top buoyant frame floated on the surface. Assembly and deployment of each net took about 30 minutes and required a crew of about 5 people.

Copyright © 1999
Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society
Last modified: 01/07/09 06:45:17 AM