Hi all

I think there are times when we have all probably released a fish back into a swim when its not really ready but we should all take that extra time to make sure fish are swiming strongly before we release them. I have found that when I have had a fish that fights particularly hard and arrives at the net exhausted 10 mins in a barbel tube is a good way to recovering the fish fully without the need to handle the fish or have it in the landing net where they tend to get wrapped up in the mesh. I aways carry mine with me just in case i'm concerned about a fishes recovery and on the few occasions I've needed to use it have found it invaluable.

This is the one I use, has nice soft material that doesn't damage fins, is roomy enough for fish well into double figures and being square doesn't roll about in flow.

FTD PIKE & BARBEL RETAINING TUBE / NET - BRAND NEW | eBay

I think this is something all barbel anglers should have in there armoury of tackle because having the right tackle to look after the fish is just as important as having the right tackle to catch them.

Regards

Paul

The problem I can see with this is the potential for incorrect use. In that respect it's no better, or worse, than a keepnet made with appropriately fin freindly materials. Anyone suggesting using a keepnet for barbel on forums is usually hounded.

I'll continue to do what I do now and nurse a barbel back in either my landing net or, if needs be, by hand for as long as it takes.

Hi Sam

Firstly can I say I didn't and would most definately not condone or suggest anyone using a keepnet for barbel. Secondly I take the welfare of the fish I catch very seriously. This is a specific product meant for a specific task, that is recovering fish properly with a minimum of stress through handling. The use of a product like this is not comparable to using a keepnet for the following resons. A keepnet is meant to retain fish for the duration of the fishing session, many are made of material that can damage dorsal rays of barbel and we all know this is not done for barbel. A barbel tube is meant for short duration use only. I agree as you mentioned holding the fish in the flow either by hand or in a landing net is usually sufficient to recover fish fully. I am talking about those couple of fish per season that take that bit longer to recover. That is when this product comes into its own as the fish can be placed in the tube for 10 mins they get plenty of water flow to help them recover with no added stress of handling or get tangled up in a landing net. I hope this clarifies what i was trying to say.

regards

Paul

Paul,
I wasn't suggesting that you had anything but fish welfare in mind. However, I am suggesting that this is no better, or worse, than a keep net made with a decent fin friendly mesh. Keepnets don't have to be used for keeping a fish indefinitely, they can be used for a short duration recovery period. You can get keepnets made from the type of mesh that will not snag fins. However, they both have the potential for inapropraite use that could cause problems. To suggest using one is wrong but the other acceptable, even desireable, seems strange to me.

Originally Posted by Sam Vimes

The problem I can see with this is the potential for incorrect use. In that respect it's no better, or worse, than a keepnet made with appropriately fin freindly materials. Anyone suggesting using a keepnet for barbel on forums is usually hounded. I'll continue to do what I do now and nurse a barbel back in either my landing net or, if needs be, by hand for as long as it takes.

Exactly!!!

Hi all

This seems to be a contraversial issue and before you all have a go may I suggest you read the Barbel Society handling code which does state that use of a barbel tube for short durations is acceptable. I for one would rather make sure A fish I'm concerned about is fully recovered without the need to handle the fish potentially causing more stress.

Welcome to the Barbel Society Website. The national organisation for all barbel anglers.


Regards

Paul

Paul, I wasn't having a go at you, merely stating I agreed with Sam's post. Are you suggesting that the BS codes/ethics are to be taken as gospel then?

hi Way laid

I wasn't saying that there handling code should be taken as gospel but it is in fact a good guideline on how to handle barbel and that it is also their view not just mine that the short term correct use of a barbel tube is to them acceptable.

Regards

Paul

Originally Posted by Pfloyd

Hi all This seems to be a contraversial issue and before you all have a go may I suggest you read the Barbel Society handling code which does state that use of a barbel tube for short durations is acceptable. I for one would rather make sure A fish I'm concerned about is fully recovered without the need to handle the fish potentially causing more stress. Welcome to the Barbel Society Website. The national organisation for all barbel anglers. Regards Paul

Paul,
I'm not having a go at anyone. Merely stating that this barbel tube has the potential to be misused that's equal to that of a keepnet made of similar fin friendly material. However, one is considered the work of the devil and the other is perfectly acceptable. That just doesn't make any sense.

Hi Sam

I think the thing with keepnets is that there are still many out there that are not dorsal friendly to barbel and they tend to be used to retain fish for hours not minutes, therfore the general advise seems to be not to use keepnets to prevent confusion. Where as the product I was talking about was specifically designed with barbel in mind as a short term solution to aid recovery.

Regards

Paul