I am with 10footdown, I never use a net...... don't think I have lost a handful in 30 years, not worth having the thing in my way, I use the Ozark 10' rear seated rod and just keep tension on it when I hook the crappie and 10# power pro braid line and never had line break swinging a crappie in.... but like jigs vers. minnows it is your choice.... just like my rather fish for crappie than any other fish in the lake.......