The keepnet is a particular object that is often underestimated because it is not directly related to the actual fishing action.
Nevertheless, it plays a very important role and for this reason it must be carefully analysed in all its forms and finishes.
Unlike a fishing rod or reel, as well as a landing net or any other object that is handled directly by the fisherman to complete a fishing phase, the keepnet is nothing more than a simple container to keep the fish alive.
This "passive" role, very often, does not allow the fisherman to evaluate it with the utmost attention, forgetting that the choice of an inadequate keepnet can cause many inconveniences to us and especially to the prey that will be placed there.
Not to be underestimated
First of all, we must remember that the keepnet, especially for an agonist, is an essential tool.
For this reason, choosing a model that can last a long time, that has adequate capacity and a sufficient length to be used even when fishing high above the water level, means reducing costs and being always ready for any eventuality.
Afterwards, it is necessary to think that the fins of fish, as well as the spines of some species, can seriously damage nets of a certain type, as well as trap in the mesh the poor prey that, to be extracted, will have to suffer heavy stress.
If we then consider the large quantities of fish that are caught in some race fields, such as in the carpodromes, it is easy to understand that the strength of a keepnet becomes essential during the extraction from the water at the end of the catch.
Also the contact of the net with possible submerged obstacles, or as often happens in the canals with the concrete banks, causes damages and wear to the keepnet, leading to the breaking of the most delicate types. If we go on to analyze everything from the point of view of the protection of fish, we must add more.
A container that is too short and narrow does not allow an adequate stay for prey that, if left imprisoned for a long time, especially in shallow waters and during the hottest periods of the year, could die from lack of oxygen and excessive exposure to the sun and high temperatures.
At this point it becomes clear that the choice of the keepnet is of equal importance to that of any other object used for fishing, which is why the idea of an article that can help in the screening of products, enabling us to choose the one that best suits the case.
Thick mesh or wide mesh
The first distinction concerns the diameter of the holes that make up the interlacing of the keepnet. In order to simplify everything, we can distinguish between products with a wide mesh and the same products with a thick mesh.
The first solution has the advantage of allowing water and air to pass through it more easily, facilitating the oxygenation of the fish inside and speeding up drying times once the keepnet has been removed from the water.
The second, on the other hand, guarantees a minimum risk of fish stranding in the net, protecting them from prolonged exposure to sunlight.
In addition, it should be considered that a tightly knit object is unlikely to fit into submerged obstacles, offering the fisherman less risk of breakage.
However, it must be considered that a dense model, during the extraction from the water leads the fisherman to bear a great deal of effort, making him lift not only the entire weight of the catch, but also a good amount of water that remains trapped within the dense net.
Round or rectangular
On the market there are keepnets that differ from each other in the shape of the frame on which they are made, usually we speak of round or rectangular objects.
The importance of the shape is certainly less important than all the other parameters of choice. Personally, I find a rectangular keepnet better because it does not tend to roll both when fishing in running waters and in places exposed to strong gusts of wind, always remaining well anchored to the bottom.
Rubber, nylon and micro-perforated fabric
Even the material that makes up the net of the keepnet may vary depending on the use of nylon, rubber or micro-perforated fabric.
The rubber models guarantee a very quick drying, but have a fairly short life. This material, in fact, suffers greatly from temperature changes and the effects of water and sun, suffering damage and breakage with ease.
Nylon keepnet, on the other hand, offer advantages in terms of drying, but allow the fish to get caught easily, forcing fishermen to weigh long and exposing the prey to great stress. All this is even more accentuated in the wide mesh models.
The keepnet made of micro-perforated fabric, differently, dry slowly, amplifying the unpleasant odors during transport by car due to residual moisture.
This handicap, however, is contrasted with its great qualities. First of all, the time required to extract the fish during weighing is reduced and the risks of grounding are eliminated, as well as protecting the body of the prey, which, even if rubbed continuously on the edges of the keepnet, do not suffer the abrasions caused by a nylon or rubber net.
The best length
Manufacturers offer products of varying lengths, from a single meter to more than five.
First of all, it must be said that in official competitions there is an obligation to use a keepnet that is at least three meters long to protect the fish and then consider that a part of the pot always remains outside the water, especially when the fishing station is placed very high above the level of the liquid mass.
Personally, I believe that the most valid objects are those between three and a half and four metres long, guaranteeing plenty of space for the permanence of the prey and to always be sure of having a sufficient stretch of submerged keepnet.
Reinforcements on the rings
The most critical point of the keepnet is undoubtedly the last stretch and to be clear what remains constantly in the water and where the catch ends.
The last two or three rings of the frame, therefore, should always have a rubber reinforcement or a double layer of fabric that ensures the resistance during the extraction of the keepnet from the water under the weight of the fish.
In addition, any reinforcement serves to protect against wear due to the rubbing of the net on the ground, especially in the presence of concrete or gravel banks.
The dark keepnet
The dark keepnet is a model characterized by an extremely dense fabric characterized by very small holes in which water passes through, but not sunlight.
This kind of keepnet is used to keep the prey in darkness and prevent them from being stressed by the brightness, denying them the perception of the environment surrounding the keepnet and the fisherman.
At the same time it is an object within which it is impossible for the fish to get caught as well as being very strong and durable.
Small details... big advantages
After having examined the most important characteristics of the keepnets, we move on to observe some small details that can further improve the performance of these objects.
In some models, created for carpodrome fishing or for those places where the catches are very generous, being able to exceed even a quintal of weight, are inserted bands of fabric that sewn outside the keepnet act as handles to facilitate the extraction from the water.
In this way, the physical effort of the fisherman is mitigated and the entire weight of the fish is prevented from weighing down in a single place on the keepnet, causing breakages and tears.
The connection between the keepnet and the basket can also be studied in a more or less functional way.
Having a stainless steel thread, which in addition to not rusting offers great durability, can be helpful, especially if flanked by a robust joint that serves to tilt the mouth of the keepnet, being able to orient it as congenial as possible to the specific needs of the fisherman.
