We have all experienced the agony of the one that got away! Fluke and Flounder will surely put a damper on your trip when escaping just within reach. However, with good preparation and a refined technique, you’ll greatly improve your odds of landing that doormat every time. Here are 4 tips I’ve learned over the years to help you land your trophy fish!

1. Choose The Right Landing Net – because it’s imperative. Use a fish-friendly hook-resistant landing net. Preferably one that will float if you happen to drop it in the water and make sure it’s big enough to land the fish! A hook resistant net means more time fishing and less time spent on untangling the net. Nothing is more frustrating than being on a good bite and unable to get your line back in the water. Of course, there’s the exception of losing the fish!

Fish-friendly because it’s less damaging to the fish. Using the right landing net reduces fish mortality post-release by reducing the amount of trauma and stress put on each catch. A quick fight, quick land, and safe quick release is the best practice.

As a bonus, fish-friendly hook-resistant nets will also outlast traditional nets by 4 to 1.

*No need to land shorts. Most often they will drop off easily with little to no handling. Simply raise their head until it breaks the surface of the water and they will do the rest. Remember to keep your rod parallel to the water. This will prevent loading the rod, creates slack in the line, and will stop the rig from slingshotting right back at you.

2. Keep Your Rod Tip Low – when you’re ready to land the fish. Your goal should be to keep the fish’s head in the water at all times! Guiding the fish back and forth in a figure-eight motion may be necessary until you or a friend is in the position to land it. Remember to take your time. If you lift the head out of the water the fish will kick. Because of their flat bodies, they have a lot of surface area and will produce an incredible amount of thrashing force at the blink of an eye. Thus creating slack in the line and more times than less resulting in the loss of a fish.

3. Wait To Flash The Net – until the last second. Wait until the fish is as close to you as possible and you are ready to land the fish. Fluke and Flounder tend to remain relaxed when hooked. They tend to go with the flow. However, at the sight of the net or when their heads break the surface of the water, they come alive and often explode with excitement! If it lunges away from you, you want to have plenty of arm length left to react quickly.

4. Always Land The Fish Head First – If you try to land it tail first you will most often spook the fish as soon as the net touches the tail! Think of it as someone scaring you from behind. Again, with their flat bodies, they can generate a lot of force quickly. Chasing them with the net from behind will most often end in failure. Remember you’re trying to keep the net out of the field of vision. Move slowly at first, making sure not to touch or spook the fish. Guide the fish’s head in first and then quickly scoop the fish. If the fish thrust forward, it will thrust itself right into your net. If it thrust backward, be ready for the scoop.

*Remember both Fluke and Flounder have a nice slime coat. Use of fish-friendly landing gloves will prevent the fish from slipping out of your hands as well as prevent you and them from any harm. For video tips and techniques please visit and subscribe to ► TalkFishTV.com