Frabill Net Choice

I am wanting to purchase my GF’s dad a new landing net for Father’s Day. He mainly fishes at their cabin on Vermilion and has 2 large nets currently. One is great for Musky and the other is his all around net. The all around net is a bit too large and clunky for Walleye and Bass fishing. I am looking at the Conservation Series or the Rubber Sportsman Nets. I definitely want a net that is rubber or tangle free coated. I’m torn on the actual size of the net – 20″ X 23″ seems like a good size for Walleye/Bass. I also would like to hear opinions on handle type as there are fixed handles, sliding handles and telescoping. Space isn’t too much of a concern.

I really like this one, collapses down so you can tuck it out of the way if desired and is very sturdy when extended. If you keep an eye out you can find them on sale for significantly less than the Frabill site has them.

http://www.frabill.com/nets-accessories/folding-nets/8507.html

I have 2 Beckman nets. One salmon and one walleye net. My walleye net is starting to show its age. Not sure if it will make it through the year. Since they are not made anymore when my net is full of holes I will have to look some where else. So I was fishing will a buddy that has a RS Net. Boy was it a nice net. Collapsed very nice. Basket was nice and wide to land the eyes. No treble hooks stuck in the net. It was nice. Wife already told me to buy one.

http://www.rsnetsusa.com/pages/flat-bottom-fish-landing-nets

I use the Conservation Series(tangle free coated) with telescoping handle with the approx net you mentioned and love it !

trumar wrote:

I use the Conservation Series(tangle free coated) with telescoping handle with the approx net you mentioned and love it !

X2

trumar and Tom Sawvell – do you guys find that crankbaits get hung up in the material of the Conservation nets? I’ve read on a few walleye forums that they aren’t the best for crankbaits but I think they re-did the nets and made the holes larger recently to help this problem.

I have the conservation net, and like it for the most part. After a few seasons, the netting isn’t nearly as tangle free though, and I actually pulled my extendable handle right out of the main handle during the AIM tournament a few weeks ago. It did go right back in and still functions, but, I want to make sure I give the facts. One thing I don’t like is that this thing is heavy once it hits the water. Don’t think you’re going to get 2/3 of the basket into the water and move it around very fast. There is a lot of drag.

The pros are, it’s great for trolling. I can extend it out, and guide fish right into it. The bag is deep enough to secure big fish. It’s not flimsy or overly light. I might put a new rubber bag on mine and call it a win.

wimwuen wrote:

I have the conservation net, and like it for the most part. After a few seasons, the netting isn’t nearly as tangle free though, and I actually pulled my extendable handle right out of the main handle during the AIM tournament a few weeks ago. It did go right back in and still functions, but, I want to make sure I give the facts. One thing I don’t like is that this thing is heavy once it hits the water. Don’t think you’re going to get 2/3 of the basket into the water and move it around very fast. There is a lot of drag.

The pros are, it’s great for trolling. I can extend it out, and guide fish right into it. The bag is deep enough to secure big fish. It’s not flimsy or overly light. I might put a new rubber bag on mine and call it a win.

I appreciate the facts and your honest review! That’s exactly what I was hoping to hear.