Net depth
Also called bag depth
What is net depth on a landing net?
How far the net bag hangs below the hoop. A deeper bag cradles a fish so it cannot flip back out while you free the hook.
A shallow bag holds a fish for about as long as it takes the fish to decide otherwise. A deep one lets the fish settle into the bottom of the mesh where it has nothing to push against, which gives you both hands and enough time to work a hook out.
The tradeoff is bulk. A deep bag is heavier, it catches wind, and it hangs up on things when you are walking. Some nets solve this with a bag that folds or clips up for transport.
For bank fishing, deeper is better, because you are usually lifting a fish up an embankment rather than swinging it into a boat.
Flat-bottomed bags are the variation worth knowing about. Instead of tapering to a point, they have a level base so a fish lies out straight rather than folding nose to tail, which is both easier to unhook and better for the fish.
Keep the fish in the water inside the net while you unhook it. A deep bag makes that possible; a shallow one does not.
Where this comes up
The guides that use net depth and show it on real gear.
Last reviewed . Net depth is one of 222 terms in the fishing glossary.