Deadhand
Member
Looking for suggestions on a proper net. I have an older one in good shape, however I understand it’s not good for fish you intend to release.
Nothing but net!
- Thread starter Deadhand
- Start date
rustbeltwilds
Well-known member
Dr.J 1952
Active member
I’ve been using a wooden net with a rubber bag I bought from Cabelas’ for under $40 close to twenty years ago. I landed a wild brown that was 20” and close to five pounds back in May with it. Bass Pro shops has one similar for about the same price.
PSUhort
New member
Either your scale or tape measure are broken.
GoldenRfly
Well-known member
I repurposed my existing nets for your reason and the nettings were wearing out. I purchased replacement netting on Amazon. This link is one of them, but poke around if you like this option…there’re other choices.
My nets are over 50 years old and can be taken apart. I don’t know if I really saved money vs the inexpensive nets at Bass Pro / Cabela’s, but I liked my net sizes and it works for me.
I've used a Fish Pond medium length landing net. Rubber netting, virtually indestructible. It can be a bit cumbersome getting it out of the wading belt, but at my age not having to bend too far over outweighs the inconvenience.
dryflyguy
Well-known member
I hang my net on back of vest with a magnet retriever
I found the wooden nets to be a bit heavy for that.
I like aluminum frame nets, which are lighter
I found the wooden nets to be a bit heavy for that.
I like aluminum frame nets, which are lighter
CRB
Well-known member
I did the same. 🙂
Cougarbaby
Well-known member
Magnet and a safety sling clipped to my vest if I drop it in fast deep water still there hooked up to me
MJMFlyfisher
Well-known member
I was never that concerned about a "good" net.....used a mesh bag one for many many years on my back and would curse at it everytime it would swing around and smack me when I was leaning over, or when it would eat a fly (or flies) landing a fish.
Then I bought a cheapy wooden short handled one with a rubber bag and I started to see the light on a better functioning net. No more eating flies.
I've now moved onto a Fishpond Nomad Emerger "River Armor" version because I had a couple gift cards I needed to burn anyway. Been using it for several seasons now.
And dammit.....it's nice! 😂 Good reach without being cumbersome, nice deep bag and big enough opening to probably handle a decent steelhead.
I carry it behind my back in a holster on a good rigid duty belt and a tether. Makes landing even bigger fish solo much easier.
I like it.......it's slick.
Bougie..... But slick. 😁
Then I bought a cheapy wooden short handled one with a rubber bag and I started to see the light on a better functioning net. No more eating flies.
I've now moved onto a Fishpond Nomad Emerger "River Armor" version because I had a couple gift cards I needed to burn anyway. Been using it for several seasons now.
And dammit.....it's nice! 😂 Good reach without being cumbersome, nice deep bag and big enough opening to probably handle a decent steelhead.
I carry it behind my back in a holster on a good rigid duty belt and a tether. Makes landing even bigger fish solo much easier.
I like it.......it's slick.
Bougie..... But slick. 😁
Last edited:
Deadhand
Member
Would post a picture of the handle and how you rigged it up? Thanks
MJMFlyfisher
Well-known member
Belt is a stiff Blackhawk "duty belt" that I use in place of a wader belt.
It holds a tremendous amount of weight without folding so I have the net, a water bottle holder and my gear keeper for my wading staff on it.
The net is on a tether attached to a Smith Creek net holster.
Putting that weight on my hips vs my shoulders really makes a difference at the end of the day.
JG63
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2013
- Messages
- 1,474
+1 on the fishpond stuff! I like the longer handles and the light weight - THEY FLOAT! - I can also keep the fish in the water while prepping the camera for fish pix and they fit in a kayak pole holder perfectly fine! They are expensive - but only once 😎 - I have two and they have been used hard for over 10 years - no complaints fro me - I have a nice Fishpond wading belt for back support and carry them easily in the built in “holster”
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Deadhand
Member
Thanks for taking the time to take the picture. Very helpful.
Cougarbaby
Well-known member
They do make nets guaranteed for life against loss I finally bought one and haven't had a problem since, before that I lost 4 ,1 was lost the first day on the water on little J at the corn field on the way to the gorge,
Cougarbaby
Well-known member
The trick is to buy one expensive enough you don't dare loose it no matter what ,lol
I have a smith holster and belt, but the belt continues to work its way loose over the course of a day and then the net is twisting side to side. Perhaps I need to get a better duty belt to keep things snug. In the meantime, went back to hanging it off my neck D ring
I don’t lose them, but I have fallen backwards (don’t ask) and broken nice wooden ones. The Fishpond seem to take more abuse than wood.
MJMFlyfisher
Well-known member
You definitely need a different belt. The one I have has two huge Velcro sections up front on either side that absolutely lock the length in at whatever you set it at.
I think it would cut you in half before it ever loosened a millimeter. LOL
