7 Landing Nets That Won’t Lose Your Next Catch
Frabill Conservation Series wins overall with rubber coated mesh that releases hooks and protects fish slime. EGO S2 Slider suits boat anglers who need a handle that extends from 30 to 72 inches. PLUSINNO Floating Fishing Net is the kayak pick because its foam handle keeps the net from sinking.
Frabill Conservation Series tops this list because its rubber coated mesh slides off treble hooks without tangling. EGO S2 Slider extends from the boat gunwale to meet a fish early, and PLUSINNO Floating Fishing Net stays on the surface if it goes overboard.
A landing net looks simple until a hook snags mid fight and a fish thrashes free. We compared hoop dimensions, mesh construction and handle reach across seven current nets, along with owner reports about snagging and handle flex.
The top picks, ranked
Frabill Conservation Series Landing Net
Rubber coated mesh has no knots to snag a treble hook, so fish slide free with a single shake. That same coating protects the slime layer fish need after release. Bass, walleye and small pike fit comfortably inside the 23 by 26 inch hoop.
Pros
- Hooks shake loose instead of tangling in the mesh
- Rubber coating protects the fish’s slime layer
- Deep 20 inch bag keeps active fish from flipping out
Cons
- Fixed 36 inch handle will not stretch over tall gunwales
- Bulkier to carry than a folding shore net
EGO S2 Slider Landing Net
One hand slides this handle from 30 to 72 inches, useful the moment a fish surfaces out of easy reach. Interchangeable heads swap a rubber or nylon net onto the same pole. Anodised aluminium resists the corrosion that plain alloy picks up near salt water.
Pros
- Extends one handed while the rod stays loaded
- Head swaps between rubber and nylon mesh
- Anodised finish holds up to saltwater spray
Cons
- Slide mechanism needs a rinse after each trip to stay smooth
- Costs more than a fixed handle net of similar size
PLUSINNO Floating Fishing Net
EVA foam inside the handle keeps this net floating if it slips over the side, a real risk from a seated kayak position. Rubber coated mesh still sheds hooks cleanly. The hoop folds flat, so it slides under a kayak deck bungee without a fight.
Pros
- Stays on the surface instead of sinking when dropped
- Folds flat for kayak or backpack storage
- Short handle suits landing fish from a seated position
Cons
- 20 by 17 inch hoop suits modest sized fish only
- Folding joint loosens with heavy seasonal use
Fishpond Nomad Mid-Length Net
Carbon fibre composite keeps this net light enough to hang from a magnetic release all day of wading. Clear ghost rubber shows the fish clearly for a quick release photo. At 34 inches overall it favors river wading over boat work.
Pros
- Light enough for all day magnetic release carry
- Clear rubber bag photographs well before release
- Composite frame shrugs off riverbank knocks
Cons
- 12.5 by 19 inch hoop is too small for salmon or pike
- Short handle puts you close to the fish while wading
KastKing Brutus Folding Landing Net
Aluminium arms fold flush against the handle, cutting the packed length by more than half. A non slip EVA grip holds firm even with wet hands. Rubber coated nylon mesh covers bass and trout, though the bag runs shallower than dedicated release nets.
Pros
- Folds small enough for a backpack side pocket
- EVA grip stays secure when hands are wet
- Light enough for one handed use over long sessions
Cons
- Shallow bag lets an active fish flip back out
- Locking mechanism needs a firm push to seat fully
Frabill Trophy Haul Bearclaw Landing Net
A 32 by 26 inch hoop paired with a 32 inch deep bag swallows musky, pike and catfish that smaller nets cannot hold. Ploytec coated mesh resists rot after repeated wet storage. Weight is the tradeoff, which makes this a boat net rather than a hike in net.
Pros
- Deep bag contains long bodied fish like musky
- Ploytec coating resists rot from wet storage
- Sliding handle reaches over high boat gunwales
Cons
- Heavy and awkward to manage in a small boat
- Oversized hoop is overkill for panfish or trout
SF Wooden Fly Fishing Landing Net
Laminated wood keeps this teardrop net light while giving it the classic look many trout anglers favor. Soft rubber mesh limits fin damage during release. A wrist cord and carabiner clip to a vest D ring, so both hands stay free between fish.
Pros
- Lightweight in hand through a full day of wading
- Rubber mesh is gentle on delicate trout fins
- Carabiner clip attaches to a vest for hands free carry
Cons
- Wood frame can crack if stepped on underfoot
- Small 11 by 18 inch hoop suits stream trout only
How to choose
What should you look for when buying a landing net? Hoop size, mesh material and handle length decide most purchases. Choose a hoop noticeably wider than your target species, since a fish that barely fits will thrash free. Handle length follows where you fish, from 20 inches for wading up to 60 inches or more from a boat. Frame material then sets how much weight you carry through a full day.
Is rubber mesh worth it over nylon? Rubber coated and molded mesh releases treble hooks with a single shake and protects the slime layer that guards a fish after release. Knotted nylon mesh costs less and weighs less, but hooks bury in the knots and edges can abrade fins. Some catch and release waters now require rubber mesh outright. Anglers keeping fish for the table can still get by with nylon, accepting slower hook removal.
Which net suits kayak, wading and fly fishing best? Seated kayak anglers need a short handle, usually 20 to 30 inches, since reach shrinks close to the water. Buoyancy matters more here than anywhere else, which is why a foam filled handle earns its place on any kayak. Wading anglers chasing trout want a light frame, a clear or soft bag and a magnetic release rather than a bulky boat net. Folding frames help both groups by stowing flat against a deck bungee or a vest strap.
How do you size a net for musky, pike or catfish? Large, long bodied fish need bag depth as much as hoop width. A 30 inch plus deep bag keeps a musky curled and controlled instead of sliding back out. Aim for a hoop at least as wide as the fish’s shoulders, not just its average length. An extending handle also helps by meeting the fish early, before it drags along the hull and pulls a hook free.
The lineup, side by side
| # | Model | Hoop size | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frabill Conservation Series Landing Net | 23 x 26 in | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | EGO S2 Slider Landing Net | Slides 30 to 72 in | Best for boat anglers | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | PLUSINNO Floating Fishing Net | EVA foam, floats | Best for kayaks | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Fishpond Nomad Mid-Length Net | Carbon fibre composite | Best for fly fishing | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | KastKing Brutus Folding Landing Net | Folding aluminium | Best value | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Frabill Trophy Haul Bearclaw Landing Net | 32 x 26 in | Best for big fish | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | SF Wooden Fly Fishing Landing Net | Laminated wood | Best budget | 8.0 | Check price |
Questions worth asking
What size landing net do I need for bass?
A hoop near 20 by 17 inches with a 15 to 20 inch bag covers most largemouth. PLUSINNO Floating Fishing Net fits kayak bass fishing, while Frabill Conservation Series gives boat anglers more room to work with.
Is a rubber landing net better than nylon?
Rubber mesh releases hooks faster and protects a fish’s slime coat, which makes it the better catch and release option. Nylon costs less and weighs less, but tangles trebles and can scrape fins.
Which landing net works best for fly fishing?
Fishpond Nomad Mid-Length pairs a light carbon frame with a clear rubber bag suited to wading and release photos. SF Wooden Fly Fishing Net covers the same job at a lower price with a traditional wood frame.
Do landing nets float if you drop them?
Only the ones built for it. PLUSINNO uses EVA foam inside the handle to keep the net on the surface. Most aluminium framed nets sink, so add a leash or foam wrap when fishing from a kayak.
How long should a landing net handle be?
Wading calls for 18 to 30 inches, and small boats work fine around 36 inches. Deep gunwales and pontoons need 60 inches or more, which is where EGO S2 Slider’s 72 inch reach helps.
Can a landing net injure a fish?
Knotted nylon mesh scrapes slime and can split fins, especially on trout. Knotless rubber mesh cuts that risk. Keeping the fish in the water inside the net while unhooking helps more than any mesh choice.
What is the best landing net for a kayak?
PLUSINNO Floating Fishing Net floats, folds flat and uses a short handle built for seated landing. Store it under a deck bungee so the frame will not catch a cast.
How do you stop hooks from tangling in a landing net?
Switch to rubber or rubber coated mesh, which sheds trebles with a shake. Lift the fish head first rather than tail first. Long nose pliers let you free the hook before the fish rolls inside the bag.
What size net do you need for musky or pike?
Look for a hoop at least 30 inches wide with a bag over 30 inches deep, like the Frabill Trophy Haul Bearclaw. Anything smaller lets a long bodied fish slide back out over the rim.
The bottom line
Frabill Conservation Series remains the net most anglers should own, since its rubber coated bag protects fish while the hoop handles common gamefish sizes. Boat anglers dealing with high sides get more use from the EGO S2 Slider and its 72 inch reach. Kayak anglers should choose the PLUSINNO Floating Fishing Net simply because it survives going over the side.
