Specimen Net Problem

[peakoverload]

I decided to buy myself a 44" specimen net today (my first one) but am confused.

My understanding of nets like this is that the arms 'plug' into a Y shaped connector which then screws into the landing net handle. When you land a big fish you then pull the arms out of the Y shaped connector, roll the net up a bit and lift the fish onto the bank. Correct?

If so this Y connector must therefore allow the arms to be easily inserted and removed shouldn't it?

The reason I ask was because when I bought my net the guy gave me a Y connector from behind the counter. He said he kept them there because kids keep loosing theirs and then come in and steal the ones off the nets. When I got home I found that I couldn't easily insert the arms into the connector and the only way to get them in was to bend the arms slightly. I could see that this keeps the arms under tension and stops them from just falling out but once in I couldnt get the damn arms out! I spent ages trying to get the arms out, which clearly wouldnt have been much good if I had a big fat Carp in the water waiting to be lifted out, and in the end after much struggling the Y connector just shattered!! Which considering it was made of metal was somewhat surprising.

So what did I do wrong?

Do you have to bend the arms a bit to get them into the connector?
How easy should it be to take the arms out of the connector?
Maybe they gave me the wrong connector?

[mithrandir]

I had the same problem to start with on mine, I now just lean one arm onto the bank to flex it enough to take the tension off the opposite one, then it comes out dead easy.

This is normal, just a knack you develop.

The spreader block ("y" shaped bit ) often wears where people force the arms into it, guess that is why the kids nick them.

Remember, the specimen net is a lot deeper than a normal one, so once the fish is in the net you can keep it in the water safely whilst you sort out the net, unhooking mat, camera etc. No need to hurry, the fish is safe in the net and happy in the water. Take you time and get the net dismantling done right.

I also leave the spreader block screwed to the handle all the time, does make it easier to fit the net arms as you have a bit of leverage from the handle to bend the arms.

[Catfish Virgin (Still!)]

Mithrandir has it right. The arms of the net are held in the spreader under pressure. Releasing that pressure on one arm is the key to unshipping the whole net (not that I've had many occassions to try that theory out!).

[biggun]

I had the same problem but Mike is spot on!
A bit of practise will have you doing it with ease in no time.

[peakoverload]

Cool, thanks guys. Just need to go back to the shop to get a new spreader block.

Cheers