Fishing Net Buying Guide
Today's fishing nets are a little more high-tech than those that were first developed as more of a throwing net than anything. There is a fishing net for almost every situation you could find yourself in, from being a charter captain on a walleye boat to trying to net an eight-inch native trout on a spring fed stream. Having the right net handy could be the difference between landing the fish of a lifetime, or your leader breaking as you try and beach the fish. Like always, it depends on the situation you're in, and the kind of fish you're chasing after. Let's break it down to figure out the best nets for certain situations.
Ranger Tournament Series Flat Bottom Rubber Coated Net
The Ranger Tournament Series Flat Bottom Rubber Coated Net is every charter captain's dream. Whether you're chasing steelhead or walleye in the Great Lakes, this net is perfect for the boat. The net itself is rubber-coated, making it non-tangle, so hooks don’t get stuck in the netting. The handle extends from 54 to 84 inches, making landing fish quick and easy. It's also built for tournament style fishing, so you know it's not going to break down after a couple uses.
Frabill Steelhead and Salmon Wade Net
A must-have net for any serious steelhead angler in the Great Lakes and Pacific Northwest, the Frabill Steelhead and Salmon Wade Net is lightweight, has a hoop size large enough to be able to land 15 lb+ steelhead, and can be carried while wading. The netting is made of rubber, making it non-tangle, so hooks won’t get stuck. The rubber coating also leaves the slime on the fish, which is important when handling steelhead and salmon. The handle on this net is eight inches long, making it easy to carry around while on-the-go wade fishing.
Frabill Deluxe Wood Catch and Release Landing Net
If you are an avid trout angler hiking through the woods on "no name" native streams, the Frabill Deluxe Wood Catch and Release Landing Net is perfect for you. It is large enough to net the 20-inch brown trout that sipped your dry fly, but also scoop an eight-inch brook trout without it slipping through the netting. The netting is made of rubber, making it non-tangle, so hooks won’t get stuck. This is a perfect all-around, lightweight net for any trout angler looking to upgrade.
Frabill Kwik-Stow Folding Net
The Frabill Kwik-Stow Folding Net is for the weekend warrior that wants a quality net for taking his family out on a picnic at the local pound. This net is perfect for landing anything from panfish and bass to carp. Made of micro mesh to keep fish slime on the fish and not cause damage, it folds down making it easy to throw in the car and go. This net is available in two different sizes (18”x16” and 20”x24”), great for any situation you might run into. It also has an extendable handle, making fish landing easier. This Frabill net is also a great option for kayak anglers to have since it doesn’t take up much room.
Ranger Octagon Handle Big Game Net
For any angler chasing big game fish, the Ranger Octagon Handle Big Game Net is the one to have. From huge king salmon in Ontario to monster muskie in Wisconsin, this net gets it done. The handle breaks down by sliding into the net, which makes it easy for storage and carrying. It can also extend and lock at 48 inches long, making it perfect for boat or shore fishing. The hoop itself comes in at 34”x30”, with a depth of 48 inches, and is reinforced to be tough against the biggest and meanest fish.
As you can see, there are nets for almost every angling situation you might come across. The options reviewed here are just a few that I feel an angler might need to help land the fish of a lifetime. These fishing nets are examples of the basic options that you might come across. As always, you can browse the FishUSA online store, or give us a call if you need help finding a net to fit your specific needs.
Ranger Tournament Series Flat Bottom Rubber Coated Net
The Ranger Tournament Series Flat Bottom Rubber Coated Net is every charter captain's dream. Whether you're chasing steelhead or walleye in the Great Lakes, this net is perfect for the boat. The net itself is rubber-coated, making it non-tangle, so hooks don’t get stuck in the netting. The handle extends from 54 to 84 inches, making landing fish quick and easy. It's also built for tournament style fishing, so you know it's not going to break down after a couple uses.
Frabill Steelhead and Salmon Wade Net
A must-have net for any serious steelhead angler in the Great Lakes and Pacific Northwest, the Frabill Steelhead and Salmon Wade Net is lightweight, has a hoop size large enough to be able to land 15 lb+ steelhead, and can be carried while wading. The netting is made of rubber, making it non-tangle, so hooks won’t get stuck. The rubber coating also leaves the slime on the fish, which is important when handling steelhead and salmon. The handle on this net is eight inches long, making it easy to carry around while on-the-go wade fishing.
Frabill Deluxe Wood Catch and Release Landing Net
If you are an avid trout angler hiking through the woods on "no name" native streams, the Frabill Deluxe Wood Catch and Release Landing Net is perfect for you. It is large enough to net the 20-inch brown trout that sipped your dry fly, but also scoop an eight-inch brook trout without it slipping through the netting. The netting is made of rubber, making it non-tangle, so hooks won’t get stuck. This is a perfect all-around, lightweight net for any trout angler looking to upgrade.
Frabill Kwik-Stow Folding Net
The Frabill Kwik-Stow Folding Net is for the weekend warrior that wants a quality net for taking his family out on a picnic at the local pound. This net is perfect for landing anything from panfish and bass to carp. Made of micro mesh to keep fish slime on the fish and not cause damage, it folds down making it easy to throw in the car and go. This net is available in two different sizes (18”x16” and 20”x24”), great for any situation you might run into. It also has an extendable handle, making fish landing easier. This Frabill net is also a great option for kayak anglers to have since it doesn’t take up much room.
Ranger Octagon Handle Big Game Net
For any angler chasing big game fish, the Ranger Octagon Handle Big Game Net is the one to have. From huge king salmon in Ontario to monster muskie in Wisconsin, this net gets it done. The handle breaks down by sliding into the net, which makes it easy for storage and carrying. It can also extend and lock at 48 inches long, making it perfect for boat or shore fishing. The hoop itself comes in at 34”x30”, with a depth of 48 inches, and is reinforced to be tough against the biggest and meanest fish.
As you can see, there are nets for almost every angling situation you might come across. The options reviewed here are just a few that I feel an angler might need to help land the fish of a lifetime. These fishing nets are examples of the basic options that you might come across. As always, you can browse the FishUSA online store, or give us a call if you need help finding a net to fit your specific needs.