I want to come up with a way to have a livewell while bank fishing. I've thought of a lot of different options, but this one sounds the best to me: a mesh drawstring bag with a rope attached. The fish would go in the bag, pull the bag closed, and be placed back in the water for a couple of minutes while I get some pictures, weights, etc.

Would this hurt the fish? I was thinking not, because it could still swim around freely, just in the spacious mesh bag until I pulled it back in for a photo session. It would then be released, obviously.

Fish would be in the bag no longer than 5 minutes. My main concern is not harming or killing the fish.

Thoughts?

Sounds good to me. Or you could buy some cheapo cooler with wheels and stick a minnow bucket aerator in it. Bingo, portable livewell, and with a little ice (which you'd need on those hot days anyways) you have an actual cooler. But your idea is much more practical and economical......LOL

Modify a Crab trap?

Modify a Crab trap?

That would reduce the possible rubbing of the scales... But really, its nothing to worry about. Bass are a whole lot hardier than people give them credit for...

I can't see a mesh bag holding up to top fins too well, I have a mesh laundry bag and clothing buttons rip it apart in time, also the cloth mesh will rub off the protective slime easier

Maybe instead of a mesh bag I'll get a tournament weigh-in bag that has holes, some way of closing, and a handles to tie the rope to. I just hate holding a fish out of water after it just fought all the way to my hands. I would rather give the fish and myself a minute or two to gain our composure.

You should look into those rubbery catch and release nets, use that as a base and break of the handle, then create a drawstring top on it.

They might have larger sizes available

A couple of potential sources for your idea.

Have you ever seen the fish cradles they use for landing/releasing muskies? I'm not sure of the material used on these things, but it allows a person to land one of these fish without use of a regular net. I was thinking perhaps a three sided contraption using this same type of netting.

Another source you might want to research would be the bags that European bank fisherman use. I've seen pictures of them but can't remember their names. These guys use them to hold carp, so holding a bass shouldn't be a problem.

Keep tinkering!

I don't think a mesh bag would allow fish to swim around, the cooler with an arerater would work fine. That's a lot of extra gear to lug around on shore just for the sake of a picture. It's one thing to drive up to a spot and walk a few feet to start fishing, another if you have fairly rough terrain and healthy walk, not to mention a lack of fishing mobility. Be just as fast to snap your pic and put the fish back in the water. If you are worried about putting the fish on the ground to prepare your photo shoot, tie your rod to a tree and keep the fish in the water until you're ready.

Kayak anglers have been using floating nets for a while now. They are pretty easy to make - you need a suitable hoop, replacement net, and pool noodles for floatation. Hopefully soon, there will be a commercially available net.

It's a great idea for shore guys. Better for the fish for sure.

Maybe instead of a mesh bag I'll get a tournament weigh-in bag that has holes

Every weigh bag I own has holes in it. Want one?

We use duck decoy bags for big catfish and for bait. We save them until morning to take pictures sometimes and we have never had a fish die because of the bag. I supposed you could modify it so it stays open but they don't have any problem breathing in the bags. I bought one from Cabela's that I have been using also that has wire rings to hold the middle and bottom open and then a plastic ring up top that floats and holds the bag open. We had 6 catfish over 20lbs and all of our baitfish in it one night with no problem, just gets heavy to lift into the boat. I think I paid about 40 dollars for it.

Why not just purchase a fish basket?

Fish baskets are alright if you're keeping the fish to eat but they are very hard on the fish's slime coat so you'd be killing fish that you were intending to release. It's alot harder for a fish to do damage to itself on the soft mesh bags.

This is what I use if I want to keep fish while kayak fishing. It works great from shore as well.

http://www.saltwaterkayakfisherman.com/2010/04/kayak-livewell-drybox-part-1.html

That's a good idea, but I'd get jacked for my catches at my lake by one of the other non- C&R fisherman or park patrons.