Best Fishing Nets for Every Angler

Ready to land that trophy fish? After thoroughly researching the market, we bought 8 of the best fishing nets and rigorously tested each one to give you the information you need to make the right choice. Our experts tested the selected fishing and landing nets in nearly every possible environment, from streams to lakes to bays and the open ocean. We made detailed notes on how each performed in metrics like portability, durability, and ease of use. Whether you want a top-of-the-line net or the best bang for your buck, we’ve got you covered.

Key Takeaways

• YakAttack Leverage Landing Net: Best Overall
• EGO S2 Slider Landing Net: Best for Saltwater
• Frabill Trophy Haul Bearclaw: Best Rubber
• StowMaster TS94IM Tournament Series: Best Extra Large
• Offshore Angler Wading Net: Best Budget

YakAttack Leverage Landing Net

YakAttack’s Leverage Landing Net was my first kayak fishing net, and I still use it most often. The large hoop and deep net are large enough for fish up to 30 inches. When I catch a fish, I grab the net, hold the foregrip, rest my forearm in the cradle, and flip my wrist to unfold the hoop. The Leverage Landing Net lets me work the rod with one hand while extending the net and scooping up the fish with the other hand. Best of all, the Leverage Landing Net is easy to store. After I collapse the net, a few inches of the handle sticks below the hoop. To keep the net out of the way, I stick the handle in a rod holder.

EGO S2 Slider Landing Net

The EGO S2 Slider Landing Net is a top choice for saltwater anglers. It features a telescoping handle and interchangeable accessories, making it incredibly versatile. The net is constructed with durable materials, ensuring it won’t corrode or get gummed up with salt and sand.

Key Features

• Weight: 2 pounds
• Dimensions: 17 x 19-inch hoop
• Aluminum handle
• Rubber coated

Pros

• Durable construction
• Easy to store
• Interchangeable accessories

Cons

• Expensive

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Frabill Trophy Haul Bearclaw

The Frabill Trophy Haul Bearclaw is a standout choice for anglers, especially those who enjoy kayak fishing and conservation. This net features a rubber-coated, knotless conservation netting that is gentle on the fish’s skin and slime coat, ensuring minimal harm. The angled basket design helps to gently land and control the fish, making it an excellent tool for any angler.

Key Features

• Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Dimensions: 14 x 18 inches
• Rubber coated

Pros

• Conservation netting
• Reflective hoop
• Folding handle
• Forearm brace

Cons

• Short handle
• Bulky

Why It Made the Cut

Frabill’s Trophy Haul Bearclaw net is designed with the angler in mind. The rubber-coated net and angled basket make it easy to land and control fish, while the folding handle and forearm brace provide additional support and convenience. This net is particularly well-suited for kayak fishing, thanks to its compact and capable design.

When the leader in landing nets turns its attention to designing the best kayak fishing net, I pay attention. Frabill’s Trophy Haul Bearclaw Landing Net is an out-of-the-box approach to creating a compact and capable landing net for anglers in canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.

StowMaster TS94IM Tournament Series

The StowMaster TS94IM Tournament Series is a top choice for anglers targeting large, toothy, and unwieldy fish like muskie and cobia. This net features a massive 36 x 30-inch hoop that is 36 inches deep, making it large enough for a fish over 40 inches. Despite its size, the hoop folds in half to fit in a snag-proof carry case, making it convenient for storage and transport.

Key Features

• Weight: 4 pounds
• Dimensions: 30 x 32 inch hoop
• Materials: aluminum handle, knotless nylon webbing

Pros

• Large, folding hoop
• New knotless, rubber-coated netting
• Telescoping handle

Cons

• Heavy

Why It Made the Cut

The StowMaster TS94IM is designed with extruded aircraft-quality aluminum and extra-heavy, rubber-coated, knotless netting, capable of lifting a sea monster from the water. The handle telescopes into the hoop, and although it may be too long for kayak fishing, it can be modified for a better fit. The compact, snag-resistant carry case further improves storage.

Don’t lose a big fish because you are using a small net. The StowMaster TS94IM ensures you have the right tool for the job, fitting into a small space while being strong enough to handle the biggest catches.

Offshore Angler Wading Net

When I look around the kayak launch on a busy Saturday morning, there’s no doubt Offshore Angler’s Wading Net is one of the most popular choices for kayak anglers—I see the bright orange plastic nets on half of the kayaks in the parking lot. With a 17 x 19-inch hoop that is only 15-inches deep, the Wading Net is the perfect size for bass, trout, redfish, and walleye. At only 6-inches long, the handle is a little short for reaching out and scooping a fish without leaning over the side of the kayak.

Key Features

• Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Dimensions: 17 x 19-inch hoop
• Materials: foam, snagless mesh netting

Pros

• Floats
• Bright color is easy to see
• Small hoop and shallow net fits anywhere

Cons

• Short handle

Why It Made the Cut

Small, light, and inexpensive, Offshore Angler’s Wading Net is the perfect size and price for kayak fishing.

For beginner anglers concerned they might drop their net overboard, the Offshore Angler Wading Net floats and has a short leash and clip hanging from the handle, making it a reliable choice.

Product Description

Small, light, and inexpensive—the perfect size and price. Offshore Angler’s Wading Net is a great option for those looking for a budget-friendly, reliable net. The bright color makes it easy to spot, and the small hoop and shallow net fit anywhere, making it ideal for various types of fishing.

Orvis Nomad Mid-Length Camo Net

The Orvis Nomad Mid-Length Camo Net is a fantastic choice for anglers who need a balance between reach and portability. This net offers increased reach and leverage without feeling cumbersome, making it ideal for trout angling. The net’s total length is 37 inches, with a handle that is 9 inches longer than the Nomad Hand Net, yet it weighs only 0.88 pounds.

Advantages

• Increased reach
• Enhanced leverage
• Lightweight design

Design

The brown trout camo pattern is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. The net’s basket dimensions are identical to those of the Nomad Hand Net, providing ample space for larger catches.

Ideal Use

This net is perfect for wading anglers who need a reliable and lightweight option for a day on the water.

The Orvis Nomad Mid-Length Camo Net combines the best features of larger nets while maintaining the portability of a hand net.

EGO S1 Slider

Check out the EGO S1 Slider if you’re seeking a versatile net. With over 30 different attachments, from transparent rubber mesh, opaque rubber mesh, nylon, PVC, trout, wading, lake, and ocean nets, to a gaff, a deck brush, and many more, this net can get the job done in just about every way imaginable. Throw in that it floats and it’s an even more enticing choice.

Key Features

• Weight: 2 pounds
• Dimensions: 17 x 19-inch hoop
• Handle Length: 33 inches
• Material: Aluminum handle with rubber coating

Pros

• Durable construction
• Easy to store
• Interchangeable accessories

Cons

• Expensive
• Net material isn’t ideal for catch and release

Why It Made the Cut

EGO S1 Slider Landing Net has a telescoping handle and interchangeable accessories. This makes it a top choice for anglers who need flexibility and reliability in their gear.

It may look pretty basic from this angle, but the EGO S1 Genesis net is far from it. On top of the fact that it’ll stay afloat if dropped overboard, unscrew that handle and there are 30 plus attachments you can use with it.

PLUSINNO Foldable Nylon

The Plusinno Foldable Nylon is your net if you seek portability and user-friendliness. With a weight of just 14.5 ounces and a folded length of 17″, you can carry this out to your favorite fishing hole and haul out some dinner too. Not hungry? Its rubber-coated net is easy on fish for catch and release and reduces the chances of hook entanglements. With a respectable 12″ net depth, you can also count on this fishing net to keep your catch exactly where you want it — in the net. Add in an extendable pole, and you have a versatile tool for any angler.

Key Features

• Portability: Folds to a length of just 17″.
• User-Friendly: Rubber-coated net prevents hook entanglements.
• Versatile: Extendable pole for various fishing situations.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Very packable
2. Hook for belt
3. Extendable handle

Cons:

1. Smaller hoop size

Ideal For

This net is ideal for those who prioritize portability and ease of use. Whether you’re hiking to a remote stream or fishing from a kayak, the Plusinno Foldable Nylon is designed to be your go-to net.

For hard-to-reach streams and lakeshores, portability is key. A fishing net that can fold up and easily stow away in a backpack is vital when getting to your favorite fishing spot.

SF Landing Net

If you’re seriously into fly fishing or want a great catch-and-release net for streams and lakes, the SF Landing Net is your net. The bamboo and hardwood construction provides a classic look and quality feel that makes us suspect it will last for years to come. Plus, the magnetic wrist leash is another nifty feature that breaks away when you need to reach for a fish, and it doubles as a safety mechanism.

Key Features

• Fish-friendly: The net is excellently fish friendly for safe catch or release, and never does harm to fish scales.
• Transparent netting: Avoids spooking fish while scooping them up.
• Magnetic wrist leash: Breaks away when needed and doubles as a safety feature.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Classic bamboo and hardwood construction
• Soft rubber mesh
• Magnetic wrist leash

Cons

• Limited versatility
• Short 9″ handle

This model’s classy style and quality construction make it a great gift to your angling loved ones.

Bubba Carbon Fiber

If you want to turn some heads at the dock, check out the Bubba Carbon Fiber. It is beautifully designed with a carbon fiber shaft, oversized red rubber grip, and a seriously reinforced aerospace aluminum connection between the pole and the hoop. It can also handle large lake and ocean fish. The crosshair notches on the bottom of the handle are a nice touch while keeping this prized possession in your rod holder during rough seas.

Durability

The true king of durability is the Bubba Carbon Fiber. With a carbon-fiber shaft, aerospace aluminum hoop, and massive rubber grip, we can imagine this thing lasting a very long time with the right care. Of course, as the most expensive fishing net we tested, that durability comes at a cost.

Design

Built like a tank, the Bubba Landing Net features a carbon-fiber shaft, aerospace aluminum yoke and hoop, and an iconic red grip that lets you easily handle it with two hands — something you’ll actually need to do when hauling in the 75-pound trophy fish this net is rated for.

Price

Be prepared for some sticker shock. The Bubba Carbon Fiber is not cheap, but for dedicated anglers going for the big catch, it may be just what you need. Here are some price points:

For those who need a model that can handle large fish, the Bubba Carbon Fiber may be just what you need. Just be prepared for some sticker shock.

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Conclusion

Ready to land that trophy fish? After thoroughly researching the market, we bought 8 of the best fishing nets and rigorously tested each one to give you the information you need to make the right choice. Our experts tested the selected fishing and landing nets in nearly every possible environment, from streams to lakes to bays and the open ocean. We made detailed notes on how each performed in metrics like portability, durability, and ease of use. Whether you want a top-of-the-line net or the best bang for your buck, there’s something here for every angler. The need for a reliable fishing net is about as old as fishing itself. The most important thing to consider is the style of fishing you’re looking to do. Are you itching to get off the beaten path and find a small stream or lake, or are you going way offshore in search of that trophy fish? Whatever it is, there’s a landing net designed just for you. And luckily, in this product category, price does not entirely determine the best model for the job. We hope this article has been informative in your search. Happy fishing!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best overall fishing net?

The best overall fishing net is the YakAttack Leverage Landing Net. It offers a perfect balance of portability, durability, and ease of use.

Which fishing net is best for saltwater?

The EGO S2 Slider Landing Net is the best choice for saltwater fishing due to its robust construction and resistance to corrosion.

What should I consider before buying a fishing net?

Before buying a fishing net, consider the size, shape, durability, and convenience of the net. It should complement your fishing style and environment.

Is price a good indicator of a fishing net’s quality?

Price does not entirely determine the quality of a fishing net. There are excellent options available at various price points. It’s more important to match the net to your specific needs.

What is the best budget-friendly fishing net?

The Offshore Angler Wading Net is the best budget-friendly option, offering great value without compromising on quality.

Which fishing net is best for catch and release?

The SF Landing Net is ideal for catch and release fishing due to its gentle netting material that minimizes harm to the fish.