Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Fyke Net Usage Tips

Bill - Cost was just under $300 for the net and shipping

Where did you purchase it? Sounds like a very reasonable price...

I got the name from one of esshup's threads. It is listed earlier in this thread. John was very helpful and a nice guy to work with. Ordered it Wednesday of last week and he built it and got it to me yesterday.
Net source: Nicholsnetandtwine.com

Hope you get it in and try it out soon, cant wait to see some pics of what you catch with it.

Rookie with a fyke net update:

Set the trap last nite on the small pond. Placed the trap in 3' ft of water using waders and posts. Very manageable to set up and take down. After 1.5hr soak, pulled the net (curiosity and practice before loaded with fish) to find 10 or so BG,BCP and 25 or so BH. I will try and take some pics this weekend and post if anybody is interested.

Note: I am scared to pull the net tonight. I have a feeling my BH problem may be bigger than I originally thought in both ponds.

Where did you order you net from, can you send a link?

Here's who I bought it from: http://www.nicholsnetandtwine.com

Please post pics... Actually I think you should start a new thread when you do! I have been saying for some time how effective these things are at fish management. Hopefully as others see your results, they will be used more and more for private pond management.

Try this one

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=++Fy...0C9&first=0

That's a good video Eric.

It is a good video, but I use the net just the opposite way - the basket is in the deeper water and the lead is all the way to shore.

Yes, I think that is a better set up as well. Lead on the shallow end, basket in the deeper water...

Not so sure of that if you are after YP like they were.

I targeted YP in one pond for sampling and putting the basket end in deeper water with the lead all the way to shore worked great.

It looked like they loaded up on YP their way.

Just got back from a great weekend of fish management class, Fyke Net 101. I'm pleased with the purchse. I have lots to learn but for a first attempt I'm very happy with the results. This net will definetly be a tool/toy I use all ice free months.

Weekend bullet point summary with trap

* Manageable with one operator easier with two
* Non-fish species not fun for various reasons
* A lot to experiment with pond location and time of year
* Total weekend catch non-fish
(13) painted turtles caught and released
(1) muskrat caught and gone to a higher place

*BH,YP,BG,BCP,LMB all caught in the net
*Great for seeing the different year classes of fish
*Don't forget to bring tagging gun when pulling the trap
*Easiest way to catch fish for a fish fry

Pic's from the weekend. Lots learned about my 1 acre pond. Biggest surprise, next to all those painted turtles, LMB. I haven't seen one for 2 years. I guess they are still in there.











Thanks to all for the info given with regards to fyke nets. without it, I would have never known about this great tool.

I bet you're thinking that is some of the best spend money on your pond!!! I hope others make the purchase as well...

I have to admit I was nervous about spending the money. I have borrowed, built, and used just about every box and cyclinder trap out there. Never been real impressed for my needs. I agree...money well spent.

If a person had water snakes, would they get trapped in a fyke net as well. YIKES!

I'm suprised the 'rat didn't chew it's way out. Interesting that you caught a LMB. How many BH did you remove this weekend?

I'm able to manage the 3'x5' fyke net by myself, but I sure wouldn't want to go any larger!

Great post MN. That BG and LMB look on the thin size...are you feeding your BG? Cannot understand why the LMB wasn't a pig considering all the BH available...weird. What do you think is going on?

I think you've convinced me to buy this same setup - can't beat that price. How hard was it for one guy to handle solo?

I was able to remove maybe 2-3lbs of BH. A long way to go. Have any trapping secrets for BH?

I was afraid of this type of trap and the muskrats. When I lifted the trap for the first time and I found 13 turtles and a dead rat, I justed wanted a hug. Story coming:

My friend and I were 6 deep into a case, down by the pond, watching the trap and talking about the up coming hunting season. I told him how great I thought this new trap would be. How many fish I could catch in one day. So on and so forth. I left the trap in from 7am - 7pm. When we pulled it up, he laughed so hard I thought he might wet himself. "Is that what were eating for dinner?," he said. There was about 10 small BG, 1 dead rat, 13 very tired turtles.

Is this a chronicle of your first attempt with the fyke net catching the turtles, rat, and small BG? If so, did you do anything differently the second time around you captured all the BH, YP, etc?

TJ - Thank you. I hope others will learn something from my experience

No feeding on any of my ponds. All BG's weighed were at 100% RW or better. My goal is 10-12", .5-1lb or better BCP. Of couse I caught the bass first trap pull, with no scale, ruler, or tag gun at the pond (i am an idot). The water was so warm, I didn't want to stress her/him so I just released.

I wondered the same thing about LMB. I would have thought it would be distended from all the food. But the again no scale, and no ruler so can't be forsure. Also, this explosion of BH. I am starting to wonder if one of the neighbor kids is "doing me a favor" or did me a favor by dropping in fish. Not likely, but it is a possibility.

The net is very easy to use. I used stakes on both ends but will be going to an anchor on the back and stake on the lead.

If things continue like this, I will be getting rid of my 4 box traps. I love the storage of this baby. 2'x4'x3". Lays flat right on the shelf.

TJ- I think your question is about catch rates and species. I would love to hear from the guys that have used these traps a lot.

I tried 3 locations from Fri morning until noon on Sun. My thoughts are that trap location, positioning of the trap, water temp, time of year, will all play a role. Weird thing was I caught most of the BH from the 8am to 8pm not the 8pm to 8am soak. Sample size of one

From having set a bunch when I was in college, points and other areas where fish will congregate seems best. In smaller ponds with less features, just let it soak.