Just got my packet for Oneida Lake.  Fishing again as co-angler.  Rules are a little different.  #7.  Tackle and equipment  Use of dip nets and grippers for landing bass is prohibited during completion.  Trying find out if that means no nets at all or what?  Seems like I would have heard of this rules change before this.

No nets in BASS tournaments.

 

Nets OK in FLW tournaments.

I've fished Bassmaster Opens as a co-angler 3 times on Champlain and this will be my second

time at Oneida. Landing nets have always been allowed in the Opens. Searched the internet and could not find the answer to this question. Went back to bassmaster.com and looked at all pictures and video of the first Open on Toho and no shots of the co-angler running for the net when the pro sets the hook. Saw a video of an Elite guy on Toho that I fished with Day 1 on Oneida two years ago and remembered that I still have his cell phone number. Sent him at text and surprisingly he answered, "Correct. No nets." Kind of sketchy of BASS to change the rules without making it public. Maybe they thought less people would sign up if they knew they can't use nets. I think this new rule will be horrible for the fish. Some people will be playing trophy fish to total exhaustion so they can get them in the boat.

So silly...

Personally I wish they'd make nets mandatory to protect the fish. Guys boat flipping fish and letting them bang off the consoles or bottom of the boat aren't doing the fish any favors and don't shine a very positive light on the sport. 

Personally I wish they'd make nets mandatory to protect the fish. Guys boat flipping fish and letting them bang off the consoles or bottom of the boat aren't doing the fish any favors and don't shine a very positive light on the sport. 

Couldn't agree more.  It's really gonna show people how to incorrectly land fish.  Beside the point how many rods will break, and thumbs get smoked by trebles?