Stringer vs. Keepnet – What Is better?

If you are going to go fishing and you are looking for the best way to keep your fish alive until you are done for the day, you can use a stringer or you can use a keepnet. (Unless you’re like me and you don’t catch any…) We are going to decipher which one is best and most efficient. So follow along with me, and I will tell you all about each one and give you some top selling stringers. If you know an avid or professional fishermen, talk to them and get their ideas and opinions on the two. The more information that you have, the better, when deciding which one to use. 

“Calling fishing a hobby is like calling brain surgery a job,” Paul Schullery

According to thefreedictionary.com a keepnet is a cylindrical net strung on wire hoops and sealed at one end, suspended in the water by an angler to keep the fish alive that he has caught.

In review of the DIY article on stringers. A stringer is a line of rope or chain along which fishermen can string fish so they can be immersed and kept alive in the water. Able to still swim freely.

Stringer vs Keepnet, it is a personal preference. A lot of people have opinions on each one and unfortunately many of the lakes, rivers, and ponds that you fish do not allow the keepnet any longer. So, if you are going to go and fish somewhere that doesn’t allow the keepnet, then you will have to use a stringer if you want to keep your fish alive and you don’t have a boat with a keep tank. Stringers are great for docks, shores, wadding, and fishing from a bridge or pier. 

Most anglers feel if you are going to release the fish you catch, at the end of the day, then the keepnet is the better option. It will securely hold the fish, without hurting them. If you are using a stringer, as long as you hook them correctly, there will be no harm to the fish either. If they happen to get hooked wrong, the hook/clasp could tear the mouth of the fish and then you are unable to let them go. Keepnets feature a soft mesh, high quality thread that is durable and built to last. 

Learn How to make your own fishing stringer Here.

“The fishing was good; it was the catching that was bad,” A.K. Best

We are going to give you the top 5 tips on using a keepnet.

1. Make sure to spread it out properly. This will keep the fish in good condition. Weigh down the net to ensure it stays under water. 
2. Keep the fish out of the sun. Whatever you do, put the keepnet as much in the shade as much as possible.
3. Don’t mix big fish with little fish. The big fish can bruise the little fish as they are swimming and flailing around. 
4. When you are done fishing for the day, gently put the fish back in the water, not on the ground or into a bucket. 
5. Rinse your net in freshwater after each fishing trip and make sure it is completely dry before storing. 

Some may ask why an angler would keep fish in a net all day, just to let them go. Why not let them go as soon as you catch and unhook them? Some fishermen actually want to take a closer look at the fish that they catch, and then maybe keep some. On the other hand, most anglers are getting away from using the nets and just let them go, immediately. There are also some anglers that feel the fish in the nets send out distress signals to the other fish, warning them that something isn’t right. Making it more difficult to catch fish, the more you have in the keepnet. 

“Most of the world is covered by water. A fisherman’s job is simple: Pick out the best parts,” Charles Waterman

You do need to check the rules and regulations where you will be fishing, a lot of places do not allow keepnets any longer. A lot of fishermen feel the keepnet is a waste of money and makes transferring disease much easier. Catch, take a picture and release the fish. There is no rhyme or reason to keeping them and piling them on top of one another throughout the day. 

Fish stringers are extremely handy if you are fishing from shore, a dock, wading, or in a boat with no hold tank, as stated earlier. Strings can be made out of metal, nylon rope, or paracord material. 

Many fishermen prefer the metal/chain stringers because they allow the fish the freedom to still move and swim around. There are 3 main types of stringers that you can purchase.

• Rope/Poly
• Lockable snap stringer
• Paracord stringer
• DIY stringer

 “Creeps and idiots cannot conceal themselves for long on a fishing trip,” John Gierach

I included the DIY stringer, because it is extremely easy to make your own and it is affordable.

The 2 basic fish stringers are the chain, which has safety-pin like snaps along the length of the chain. Usually 6-8, but you can get stringers with 5 snaps and more than 8. The fish will stay immersed in the water until you are done for the day. 

The easiest fish stringer is the rope/poly, very easy to use and maintain, but durable. It is made from rope or wire with a stringing needle made of metal or hardwood at one end. You use the needle to thread the stringer through the gills of the fish and out of the mouth. 

There are many styles of fish stringers on the market. Most are simple and affordable, while the heavier duty ones are going to be a little bit more expensive. We are going to know take a look at some of the top selling fish stringers in each ‘category’ above.

“Be patient and calm – for no one can catch fish in anger,” Herbert Hoover

Rope/Poly:

Eagle Claw 12-foot poly Fish Stringer: this is perfect for anglers of any level and ideal for freshwater or saltwater. The poly rope is bright green and easy to spot. This is very convenient and easy to use. There is a needle on one end, that you fish through the gills and out of the mouth of the fish. 

South Bend Poly Stringer: is made of heavily braided polyethylene cord with a tapered needle for easy stringing. All metal hardware ensures that this will last a long time. Available in 6 foot or 9 foot length. It will keep your fish close, and submerged in the water. 

“Do not tell fish stories where the people know you. Particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish,” Mark Twain

Lockable/Metal:

Eagle Claw 70-inch Heavy Duty Cable Stringer: this bad boy is excellent for large fish, includes 10 snaps and the cable is heavy duty. The clasps on the stringer are 2 ¼ x 1 ⅛  and can easily hold a 4 pound fish. 

Berkley 15-feet Deluxe Cord Stringer with SSS: this is a braided polypropylene construction which gives it durability. The stainless steel hooks are super easy to release, but will hold your fish securely. There is a tapered needle for easy stringing, tangle free swivels to reduce twisting and heavy duty to ensure your fish will not get away. 

Paracord Stringer:

10 Foot 550 lb paracord fishing stringer has a 1 inch split ring and a metal threading needle. The spike needle measures 3 ½ inches and makes stringing the fish easy. Metal O-Ring is 1 inch in diameter and allows for easy attachment. This is ideal for all game fish and great for keeping the fish strung together. This is available in multiple colors and has a removable inner 7 strand core of 550 lb tensile strength paracord. 

“The best time to go fishing is when you can get away,” Robert Traver

Hurricane Stringer with 10 stainless steel snaps is designed for the rugged and stiff saltwater fishing. This amazing stringer is under $8 and is very easy to use, with a tapered needle for easier threading of the fish.  It is a top choice on Amazon in the category of ‘paracord fish stringer’. 

Keepnet vs Stringer, we have given you a lot of information to ponder. Though you can still do a little bit of your own research, especially on bodies of water that still allow the keepnet. Most people that use the keepnet are the fishermen that do tournaments or contests, and they have to weigh all of the fish together at the end of the event. So again, make sure that you check with the local fish and wildlife before you hit the area and get the okay to use the keepnet. Otherwise, you can go online and check out the stringers that we suggested. See which one would fit your needs the best. The only thing we have to say about the metal stringers, if you are on a boat, they may rattle against the boat and scare away the other fish. So if fishing from a boat it is suggested to use the rope or paracord fish stringer.