I find 'the net' to be very useful for fluke but a pain in @$$ when it comes to bass.
No doubt, for me it has played a big part. Just because you've been doing something for a long time doesn't mean you where doing it correctly but at the same time if you where doing something for a long time pre-net then chance are you know the fundamentals and have the experience the net can not give. Just because you wear the aqua skins, the VS's, 15#'s of gear hanging off you LLBeans or own the top of the line boat doesn't mean chit, experience teaches that.