What a Broken Landing Net Taught Me About Backup Plans

A landing net feels like one of those pieces of gear that will always be there—right up until the hoop bends, the handle loosens, or the mesh tears at the worst possible moment. It’s a small failure, but it can change the next few minutes in a hurry, especially when a good fish is boatside or at the bank.

The larger lesson isn’t that every angler needs to carry two of everything. It’s that a few modest backup plans can keep a broken tool from turning into a lost fish, an injured fish, damaged gear, or an unsafe decision. I try to think through the failures that would leave me stuck and prepare for those first.

Start with the gear that has no easy substitute

A landing net is more than a convenience. For many situations, it is the safest way to control a fish briefly while removing a hook, taking a quick photo, or preparing it for release. That is particularly true with bigger fish, fish with treble hooks in their mouths, and fish that are difficult to lip safely.

When the net fails, the temptation is to improvise immediately: grab the line, pull the fish onto rocks, reach over the side too far, or try to force a fish aboard. Those choices can create problems fast.

Instead, build a simple plan around the kind of fishing you do.

Match the net to the likely fish

The primary net should be sized for the fish you realistically expect to catch, not just the smaller fish you usually catch. A shallow trout net may be just right on a small stream but a poor choice around large bass, catfish, salmon, or pike. Likewise, a compact folding net is handy for walking a bank, but its joints and telescoping handle deserve regular attention.

For catch-and-release fishing, rubberized or knotless mesh is generally easier on fish than abrasive, knotted mesh. It also tends to shed hooks more easily, which is a nice benefit when a crankbait has ideas of its own.

Inspect the net before leaving home:

Check that the hoop isn't bent or cracked.
Extend and lock telescoping handles several times.
Tighten loose screws, collars, and fasteners.
Look for torn mesh and weak spots along the hoop.
Rinse away sand, mud, and salt after use, then let the net dry.

A net that looks fine in the garage can reveal a weakness only when it is under load. A quick inspection is cheaper than learning that lesson with a fish at your feet.

Carry a realistic backup, not a duplicate obsession

A full spare net makes sense for some anglers—boat anglers, guides, tournament anglers, and people targeting large fish in remote places. For everyone else, the backup may be a different tool or method rather than a second net.

Useful backups can include:

Long-handled pliers or forceps for hook removal
A hook cutter for deeply embedded or difficult treble hooks
A fish-friendly landing mat or wet measuring board when appropriate
A lip-gripping tool designed for the species being handled, used carefully
A small towel or gloves for handling certain fish, where permitted and appropriate
A compact folding net for a vehicle, kayak, or bank bag

The point isn't to pack your truck like a tackle shop. It is to identify the one or two items that let you handle a fish safely if the primary tool fails.

Have a fish-handling plan before the fish arrives

When a fish is on the line, decisions happen quickly. A backup plan works best when it is simple enough to use under a little pressure.

If your net becomes unusable, first consider whether landing the fish by hand is appropriate. For some species and situations, it can be. A small bass can often be lipped carefully; a modest trout may be gently guided into shallow, calm water with wet hands; and some panfish can be controlled securely without much trouble.

But hand-landing isn't automatically the right move. Avoid it when it puts you, the fish, or other people at unnecessary risk. Fish with sharp teeth, heavy bodies, powerful runs, spines, or multiple treble hooks deserve extra caution. So do fish being fought from steep banks, slick rocks, moving water, a high dock, or a small unstable boat.

If a fish can't be landed safely without the net, it is often better to keep the fight controlled, remove pressure when possible, and accept that the fish may come free. Losing a fish is disappointing. Falling in, getting hooked, or dragging a fish onto a damaging surface is worse.

Keep the release tools within reach

A backup plan fails if the tools are buried under three tackle trays. I keep hook-removal gear accessible rather than treating it as something to dig out after the fish is already landed.

At a minimum, it helps to have:

Needle-nose pliers or forceps
A hook cutter capable of cutting the hooks you use
A small first-aid kit
A tape measure or measuring board if size matters for your fishing
A camera or phone ready for a quick photo, if you plan to take one

For a release, prepare the tool first, then handle the fish. If the hook is easy to reach, remove it quickly while keeping the fish supported and, when practical, in the water. If a hook is deeply set, cutting it may be less damaging than prolonged digging with pliers.

Check the rules for the water you’re fishing

Before keeping fish, measuring a potential trophy, or using specialized handling tools, check the current regulations for that specific waterbody and species. Seasons, size limits, possession limits, and special catch-and-release rules can differ within the same state.

Back up the small tools that end a trip early

A broken landing net gets attention because it is visible. More often, the trip-ending failure is something smaller: a pair of pliers dropped overboard, a frayed leader, a dead headlamp, or a snapped rod tip.

I find it helpful to separate backups into two categories: items that keep fishing possible and items that keep the trip safe.

Fishing-continuity backups

These are compact items that solve common problems without adding much bulk:

Extra leader material or a few pre-tied leaders
A small assortment of hooks, weights, swivels, and clips
Backup line cutters
A second lure or bait option that covers the same presentation
Spare batteries or a charging cable for electronics
A basic rod-repair sleeve or tape for temporary, cautious repairs

You don't need duplicates of every lure color. Carry replacements for the things that would stop you from fishing effectively if they failed or disappeared.

For example, if you are fishing a clear stream with light line and small spinners, spare leader material and a few replacement spinners may matter more than an extra box of oversized topwater plugs. Match the backup kit to the trip.

Safety-critical backups

Some gear shouldn't be treated as optional because a failure can make getting home harder or turn a minor problem serious. On a boat, kayak, shoreline, or remote access trail, think about what you would need if conditions changed.

A sensible safety layer may include:

A charged phone protected in a waterproof case or dry bag
A portable battery pack and charging cable
A whistle, especially for paddling or remote areas
A light source with fresh batteries for low-light trips
Basic first-aid supplies
Drinking water and weather-appropriate clothing
A map or downloaded offline navigation for areas with weak service

For boat and kayak anglers, required safety equipment and local rules vary by vessel, waterway, and jurisdiction. Verify the current requirements rather than relying on an old checklist or what another angler carries.

Confirm your route and safety gear before launching

Check the latest weather forecast, water conditions, access status, and applicable boating or paddling requirements for your exact destination. If you’ll be beyond reliable cell service, tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.

Make communication part of the tackle plan

A communication plan can feel unnecessary on a short afternoon trip, but it is one of the simplest backups to put in place. A phone only helps if it is charged, protected, and usable where you are fishing.

Before heading out, share a basic trip plan with someone you trust: where you intend to park or launch, the water you plan to fish, who is with you, and when you expect to be back. If your location changes significantly, send a quick update when service allows.

For remote trips, download maps before leaving coverage. Consider a satellite communicator or personal locator device when you will be far from help, particularly if you are hiking, paddling, or fishing alone. The right choice depends on distance, terrain, weather, and your ability to self-rescue—not on whether the trip sounds adventurous.

Communication also matters within the group. Make sure everyone knows where the first-aid kit is, who has the vehicle keys, and what the plan is if weather moves in or someone needs to leave early. It takes about a minute to cover and can prevent a lot of confusion later.

Avoid the shortcut that creates the real problem

Equipment failures invite rushed solutions. A bent net handle may lead someone to lean too far over a boat. A lost pair of pliers may lead to handling a treble hook barehanded. A dead phone may lead to staying out longer than conditions justify.

That is the moment to slow down.

A good rule is this: if the workaround adds a meaningful risk that the original tool was meant to prevent, don't take the shortcut. Change the plan instead. Fish from a safer position. Switch to smaller fish or a different presentation. Move to a gentler landing area. End the trip if the missing equipment makes the situation unsafe.

Adapting is part of fishing. It doesn't mean forcing every day to go according to plan.

Build a backup checklist you will actually use

The best checklist is short enough to become routine. Mine would focus on five questions before leaving:

Can I land and release the fish I expect to catch? Check the net, hook-removal tools, and handling plan.
Can I repair the most likely tackle failure? Pack line, terminal tackle, cutters, and a few replacement lures.
Can I communicate if the plan changes? Charge the phone, bring power, and share the trip plan.
Can I handle changing conditions? Bring water, layers, light, and basic first aid.
Do I know when to stop? Decide in advance which failures or conditions mean it is time to leave.

A broken landing net is frustrating, but it is also a useful reminder. Fishing gear will eventually break, get lost, run out of power, or fail at a bad time. The goal isn't to eliminate every problem. It is to carry a few smart backups, handle fish responsibly, stay connected, and recognize when improvising has gone far enough.

Before your next trip, inspect the net, restock the small repair items, and send someone your plan. Those ordinary steps will do more for a smooth day on the water than another handful of lures ever will.