In some places we fish, hand landing is impossible. The net Pier has above is ideal for some of the places we fish. Hand over hand hoisting 30# flatheads is extremely painful.. wheather you get them all the way up or not!
I actually prefer shore fishing to boat fishing most of the time. If the fishing is productive, its much easier providing you dont have to lug a bunch of gear a great distance, and you dont have to bother with the boat. When your done, throw everything back in the truck and go home!
I can say good things of having the freedom to get up and move around at will, and its a lot of fun running for your rod from 50′ away because a fish always seems to bite when you *forgot something in the truck*.