A Full Net: Fishing Stories from Maine and Beyond

by Susan Daignault

Susan “Sue” Daignault was practically born with a rod and reel in her hand. Nearly from her birth, she and her family spent entire summers surfcasting for striped bass along the coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. That love has followed her through her days in the Coast Guard and to her home on the coast of Maine and to some of the most beautiful, and fishy, places in the world. In her fun and fascinating new book, A Full Net, Sue shares with readers how she became “fish-brained,” and a woman increasingly driven to pursue everything from bonefish and tarpon to bass and, of course, stripers—wherever and whenever she could. What shines through all of her stories of success, failure, and friendship is a love for the waters of the world and the respect and admiration for the fish who call them home.

248 pages, Paperback

Published February 27, 2024

Reviews

[KJ Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not a fishy person and probably never will be (sorry, Sue!), but this excellent collection of fishing adventures could just as well have been called “A Full Heart.” Sue’s passion for fishing is downright contagious, and her sense of wonder and appreciation for shines brightly through these tales.

I loved hearing the perspective of a local LGBTQ woman expert in this male-dominated sport, and learning that her fishing habit is one of the key things that kept her focused on sobriety.

A joyful, inspiring collection.

[Marilyn M · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like fishing, this is the book for you. Full of hints to make you a better angler, but no fishing holes to help you catch more, Sue takes you along for some heart-pounding adventures. Whether its inland Maine, the Caribbean, the gulfs of Mexico or Alaska, you can almost feel the pull of the fish as she sets the lure to reel another one in. Great read!

[Tenley Skolfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't have to be an angler to enjoy reading A Full Net, although I guarantee if you have ever wet a line this book will catch your attention from the start. Sue hooks readers with childhood memories of striper fishing on Cape Cod and then brings them along on her adventures across the globe. Read about that big ol' barn door she reeled in while serving in the Coast Guard, the ones that got away, and bucket list fish she's landed. Treat yourself to to these fish tales that will have you turning pages and wanting more when you've reached the end. Among the pages you will discover why Sue's net is truly full in so many aspects of her life.

[Richard Bouchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took awhile for me to warm up to this book, but eventually I did. Her enthusiasm is infectious and I was just fascinated with the technical details, which are well-explained. It perhaps has too much "gee gollyisms", and cliched in some places (e.g., "New York minute"). There is only one short narrative on preparing the catch for the table, since my only encounters with fish these days is at the dining table, I would have liked more that, but she primarily fishes for the sport.
In the end I enjoyed this book and recommend it.

[nx74defiant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

I could identify with staying in a camper with a large family. I was surprised she only just started fishing in the winter. Everyone I know who is serious about fishing also ice fishes. I enjoyed when she talked about her love of the wilderness and the outdoors. Great book for fishing enthusiasts.