My biggest hang up with so many of the "conservation" nets is the use of heavy coating on what started out as a perfectly good knotless soft mesh bag.

I realize the main reason to coat the bags is to make them snagproof to barbed hooks. But if one fishes barbless (and we should be if we expect to be releasing a good portion of our catch), it doesn't matter whether the hook catches the uncoated bag.... it will NOT snag.... it will simply slide right back out leaving the bag none the worse for wear.

The coating adds unnecessary bulk and weight which interferes with ergonomics. It also tends to render the bags stiffer and coarser.... which defeats the purpose of being more friendly to slime scales and fins. Seems the only thing being "conserved" is the bag itself, to prevent damage from barbed hooks.

I say ditch the barbs and ditch the coating. If you insist on fishing barbs in C&R/selective fisheries, limit yourself to ONE single hook... that way the only hook point you have to worry about is already stuck in the fish.... nothing else to snag the bag.