Find the perfect fishing net for your next angling adventure. With a variety of shapes, styles and materials to choose from, these landing nets meet all of your angling needs. Different styles of fishing require different types of landing nets. These styles range from long-handled boat nets to compact wade-fishing nets. Our line of landing nets offer nets with wooden or composite handles as well as deep rubber baskets to land your next trophy. Also be sure to keep your landing net secure with our line of net retractors and magnetic holders. These net accessories are a must-have for anglers on the move. So whether you are fishing from a boat or stalking trout on a small stream, our selection of landing nets has you covered.
People who fish for trout to eat or who do catch-and-release trout fishing will always be on the lookout for a good trout net. These can be made of many materials, such as wood, aluminum, or rubber. The nets themselves are made out of rubber, nylon mesh, or other materials.
Getting the trout into the net can be a tricky bit of work. You want to be comfortable with the net you have, and able to maneuver it while holding the fish on your line. You need to use the tip of your rod to angle the fish so that it will fit into the net, but do this gently so as not to break the tip of your rod. Then you pull the fish gently, head first into the net, and at the same time, flick up the rim of the net to land the fish at the bottom of the net.
Clearly, having the right net for you is going to be important, so we have reviewed a few of the better nets available for trout fishers.
Contents
A Guide to Choosing Which Fly Fishing Net
A premier quality net is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most important pieces of tackle that you can own. Not only is a net the only safe way you can transport your fish from the water to the bank, but owning a good quality net is a vital aspect of fish care. This is why all the fly fishing nets we stock have been designed by tackle companies who really understand both the needs of the angler and the needs of the fish. We stock nets in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can pick the perfect net for your needs. Many of our nets are manufactured to complement the shape of the fish, thus providing the most support for the fish as you lift it out of the water. They type of handle you have on a net is also important, and we stock nets with a shorter handle that are designed to fit compactly inside a boat, as well as nets with telescopic handles that you can extend to you ideal length. Angling Direct has always said that fishing isn’t only our business, it’s our passion too, which is why you’ll only ever find products that we’re proud to use in our own angling on our shelves.
Which net for trout?
There are several types of net in common use for landing trout. These include:-
Collapsible nets where the frame folds in on itself. These can be clipped to your back or waist to allow you to walk around without leaving the net on the ground. They can also be carried in a scabbard to stop brambles catching on the netting. The net will normally click into ‘action stations’ mode with a flick of the wrist.
Fixed frame and handle nets – these are most commonly used by boats fishers who leave the net ready to go in the bottom of the boat.
Scoop nets are popular with anglers that wade rivers and are normally attached to a retractor with a magnetic release that keeps the net in place high on the anglers back away from vegetation. These are usually not suited to large fish but fine for river trout and grayling. These are often built around a wooden frame and are both and practical.
You also need to think about how long the handle needs to be – if you fish from high banks a net with a long or telescopic handle is the answer.
Which net for salmon?
The choice for salmon is not so wide and anglers will generally go for a gye fishing net. This is a net with a fixed frame that slides on a handle shaft. Generally these have a sling that is fixed to the net allowing the net to be carried on your back. Please be careful if you are deep wading on a fast flowing river. A net fixed to your back could cause a fatal accident if it catches on a rock underwater or interferes with the deployment of a lifejacket.
The net needs to be big enough to accommodate your catch – my preference is for the Mclean Salmon Weigh nets that make it easy to weigh a fish with the minimum of handling prior to its return. They are also great for big pike.
Rubber Landing Nets: Better for Fish and Fishing
If you are a hook and cook’em person, it doesn’t much matter to the fish what type of landing net you use. But if you are a catch and release angler, you need a rubber net.
Another reason you should use a rubber net is to save time. Many of us fish with more than one hook as droppers or as tags. After a fish is netted, the second hook almost always gets tangled in the net. It takes time to untangle the mess, which means it takes longer to release the fish and it takes longer for you to start fishing again. This is a big problem with string and nylon net bags, but is not a big problem with a rubber net. If there is one thing I have learned from spending time with my fishing buddy/coach, the professionals spend less time messing around with gear and more time fishing.
Sure the rubber nets cost a little more, but they are better for the fish because they are easier on the skin and fish are released faster and you can get back after the next fish faster. And unless you have a habit of losing or breaking nets, a rubber net will last for many years.
