Landing Nets

[Wood N' Fish]

I need to replace my worn out net and frame with a new specie. I have been looking at the Beckman Columbian, and Dotline Gold series brands, w/ 5'+ handles. Seems the Beckman is the most expensive, and can't find out why. Anyone have any experience with one or both of these?

[Beer Waggin]

Beckman, Beckman, Beckman.

I would opt for the 6' handle. I have a four footer and wish it was longer. I can say that I've only lost a couple of fish because of the shorter handle, but they were dandies.
Just like everything else, bigger is better, but opinions will vary.

[Wood N' Fish]

Thanks Dave! I just wondered why the Beckman goes for 100+ buckeroos? What makes a landing net worth 2-3X the expenditure as others? Thanks to all in advance!!!

[BrionLutz]

Wood n Fish,

I just wondered why the Beckman goes for 100+ buckeroos? What makes a landing net worth 2-3X the expenditure as others? <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">I think their ads explain all that &lt;grin&gt;.

Those rubber nets that say they won't snag hooks are harm fish look interesting.

Thanks for the net reminder. I'm going to order this gizmo:

"Netting Leverage King
Fighting big fish is quite a charge and can be hazardous to your wrist. Leverage King gives you increased fish-fighting power by helping you lift with your whole arm, taking damaging stress off of your wrist. Works for right- or left-handed and fits any size arm. Attaches easily to all types of rods and nets. Durable. Folds down for storage."

Brion

[crabbait]

Brion - Ever notice those guys with the really interesting shaped nets? You know the ones...nets with handles bent in several directions and out-of-round net loops? They used leverage to do that!

Instead, once you have the fish in the net, point the handle straight up in the air. This will close the net alongside the boat. Then lift up with one hand on the handle and the other in the net. This will take much of the weight off the net frame prolonging the life of your net regardless of the brand.

"Leverage" is for bass fishing.

[ 03-10-2003, 09:19 PM: Message edited by: crabbait ]

[BrionLutz]

Crabbait,

Ever notice those guys with the really interesting shaped nets? <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Hey! You've been peeking in my boat again!

The most interesting shape on my net handle is from the crushed cell phone that was on my pocket as flailed away netting a fall Chinook. Got the fish, lost the cell phone. At least I've got my priorities straight.

Instead, once you have the fish in the net, point the handle straight up in the air. This will close the net alongside the boat. Then lift up with one hand on the handle and the other in the net. This will take much of the weight off the net frame prolonging the life of your net regardless of the brand.<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">My problem is netting single handed. The fish is always "out there" so I can't do that slick technique. I should probably shorten my rods for single handed fishing.

My favorite rig is a Loomis BBR 904C, 7'6" with a Penn Digital level wind. Do you think that is too long and it's keeping the fish away from the boat?

Brion

[steelheadslayer]

Brion, I fish by myself a lot and have learned the netting thing from trial and error. I use 8'2" Loomis hot shot rods and don't feel they're too long. Just work the fish and you can get him alongside you on your netting arm side then slip him into the net and pull up on the handle. When you have the fish contained, carefully set your rod down and then grasp the handle in the manner Crabbait described. It's really sweet to do it on your own, kinda an ego lifter. :cheers:

[Jettin' Fool]

I have a Beckman and I dont remember it costing $100! Maybe like $70ish but overall a very nice net.

Fool

[TH]

Beckman all the way..
I am really happy with mine. I have both the 4' and the 6' handle one for the sled and the shorter or the DB.

You'll never be let down by the Beckman.

[Flatfish]

Start looking in the guide boats. Those guys buy what works. They spend the money on a Beckman. If you are willing to buy a Curado, Loomis, or another tackle box full of stuff. Then why don't you TREAT yourself to a Beckman? When you get done, buy some Grundens raingear.

Mark and the well outfitted dog.

[brshooter]

I have the beckman with the 6' handle. Ask Pete how many times I have wacked him in the side of the head trying to net his fish. Long handle, but handy when you need it.

[Go Harley]

What makes the Beckman so special? Bag material? Hoop shape? Is it knotless?

Thanks.

[Flatfish]

Harley. The same things that make Loomis, Maxima(sorry hog) and Gammies the best( or at least at the top of their fields). It aint any one thing. They simply use the best design and materials available.

I see a lot of folks fishing in big expensive boats. They spend lots of money in Diesels to tow, Fuel for pickups, 250 hp Yamahas, Lic and tags, all of it. It is real easy to spend a hundred bucks a day fishing. Why buy a cheap net?Most of us are not there just so we can catch a fish. But when one happens to present itself, ya might as well have the right tool for the job.

So go ahead and buy a Loomis-250 bucks. Or a Powerstroke-30,000 is cheap. Or maybe that new WillieSee "Powerstroke". But do not cheat yourself on a net.They are less than 100 dollars. They will last a lifetime( unless you forget to tie it down to the boat, and fly down the freeway and it blows out of the boat and gets squashed flatter than a pancake!!)

Mark and the dented boat but Beckamn equipped Grundens wearing dog.

[Killertraylor]

I have the Biggest Beckman (hoop size) with the 6' handle. I swapped out the cotton bag for one of the coated bags as I got tired of spending 20 minutes cutting hooks out of the cotton bag. I try to only net "keepers" so don't worry about the coating harming the fish I release. I bent my hoop last year on the last fish of the springer season when the kwickfish got hung up high in the net so I couldn't lift the net "vertical" to pull the fish in the boat or he might have fallen out the top. I think there's a lifetime warranty on the Beckman hoop - I need to check this out and see if I can get mine fixed or replaced. I've netted several hundred salmon (mostly silvers) with this net and even though I finally bent mine, I still think they are the best.

[BrionLutz]

Steelheadslayer,

I fish by myself a lot and have learned the netting thing from trial and error. <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Well...I've certainly got the trial and error part down pat &lt;grin&gt;.

I use 8'2" Loomis hot shot rods and don't feel they're too long. <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Cool...because I love that 7.6 Loomis rod.

It's really sweet to do it on your own, kinda an ego lifter. <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Gotta agree with that and I haven't lost one at the boat on my own (yet) but I definitely need to work on my style points. I see folks doing the vertical netting and it looks very professional.

Maybe I'll get that Beckman "Magnum Salmon Net". That leverage gizmo is removable. I'll use it like training wheels.

Brion

[Drachir]

I have Frabill nets, and love them!! They are strong, w/ rubber coated webbing so hooks won't get into the webbing, and are less expensive than Beckman. I paid about $55, for the Steelie size, & $70 for the big fish net. :grin:

[Catcherman]

Look at fishermans!
I believe I saw them for around $80.
Beckman are nice nets!

Leverage" is for bass fishing.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">CLASSIC!!! :laugh:

[ 03-11-2003, 05:56 PM: Message edited by: catcherman ]

[Go Harley]

Drachir;
I was looking at the Frabills the other day and thought the bag seemed stiff. Does that stiffness go away after some use? They just didn't seem as soft as I thought they'd be. I like them because of the rubber coating, which would facilitate catch and release; that's why I'm looking into buying one.

[Pete]

Originally posted by brshooter:
I have the beckman with the 6' handle. Ask Pete how many times I have wacked him in the side of the head trying to net his fish. Long handle, but handy when you need it. <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">That's a 6' handle? I could have sworn it was at least 10! :grin:

[Drachir]

I have not seen it change much, but do not find it beind any problem at all. Like you said it's really great for release of non-clipped fish. I really like the Frabill. They do have a couple of different coatings on the webbing, some are stiffer than others. Check out GI Joes, they have a good selection. I would go with ones that are a little more pliable.