Musky net advice

I will be river fishing for musky this season out of a 16′ hyde drift boat.

Im looking to purchase a high quality, stowable net. I want a large enough hoop for the big boys, but not too big; one that will collapse and stay out of the way. Im looking at this Frabill.

http://frabill.com/landing-nets/8523.html

Also, considering a boga grip. Although, it seems

they may do more harm than good.

Any insight would be much appreciated.

Contact these folks, they are musky specialists
Thorne Brothers
Address: 10091 Central Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55434
Phone:(763) 572-3782
Hours: Open today · 9:00 am – 8:30 pm

I had that net for cafish/sturgeon. (I know, not muskies)

The only thing I didn’t like about it was the bag was so deep it caught on everything. Holding the bottom of the net to the pole did help once I trained myself to do that.

I love the Power Yoke! Make sure you take out the two screws and loctite them in or they will fall out at just the wrong time. Boat vibration seems to loosen them up.

Please consider Ido’s sponsors like

Joes Sporting Goods in St Paul
4 Season Sports in Red Wing
Everts Resort on the other side of the river along with
Fleet Farm for your fishing net needs.

They keep the answers coming to the questions that are posted.

I have always used Beckman, but Frabill makes a nice net.

I would physically go to a couple stores and check out the nets personally to get a feel for big they really are and how well they will stow in your boat.

Good luck.

Checkout the stowmaster.

I have always just “swung” my muskies….

go with the “big kahuna” nice, big, deep and cheap and easy to get replacement parts for!

the one in your link is on the small size for muskies……

p.s. thanks for wanting to get a net…. as a muskie guy, you have no idea how hard it is to see people fish for them with out the right equipment. I tell people that fish safety is the most important when muskie fishing…. net, bump board and good hook out tools (hook cutters!!!) and if you have a good net please stay away from the bogo, its not needed!

just my two cents!

I think that the net you are looking is Frabill’s answer to the stowmastser foldable. Both of the companies make very good products… I have seen the stowmaster used by both the folks from In-Fisherman and have also seen Jim Saric @ Muskie Hunter. We sold them at Rollie and Helen’s Musky Shop back in the day when I was working there… I was going to upgrade my net at some point in time and was going to go with the stowmaster, just haven’t gotten there…

Mark

sorry, I just realized that you wanted a foldable net….. my bad

Nets are hard on muskies. They cut fins, hooks get caught while the fish is thrashing. Just slide your hand inside the gill plate like you do when you lift the fish out of the net, only when the fish is boat side. The only reason you see the tv guys using them is because they vet paid to use them.

I revel in the abundance of direction and sage guidance on ido.

Looks like I have some more product sniffing to do.

Thanks ya’ll for your suggestions.

I respect the esox family.

It would be an assbackwards trip,

not to send them back fighting.

Im considering a cradle net.

Quick, easy, in and out.

Prom night landing gear…ya.

Regardless of my purchase, I will reciprocate the forum kindness

with trip catch pics.

2013-Dwayne, North of Hwy 8.