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Chris Brown Nets

Martin Stevens

Martin Stevens

Senior Member
Hi all

Been looking at net handles for some time. Have looked at the Drennan SS and quite liked it, but had been put off by some of the posts on here. £50 seems alot for something which so many people have had faults develop.

A few on here really seem to rate Chris Brown nets. Considering they're made in the UK and the net is included, I don't think they are extortionately priced. The main issue I have at the moment is that I read on an old thread that someone had several barbel catch their dorsal in the net. Has anyone else had this problem? The user said they were going to return theirs as a result. What did Chris say when you did so?

Thanks in advance
Martin
 
Martin Stevens said:
Been looking at net handles for some time. Have looked at the Drennan SS and quite liked it, but had been put off by some of the posts on here. £50 seems alot for something which so many people have had faults develop.
Click to expand...

They are £40 in my local, £42 in many others. Anyone charging £50 for one is extracting the urine.

It's been my experience with the Drennan that it's user error that causes the problems. I was cack handed with my own and managed to knacker it. Got the replacement part FOC from Drennan, learned to be a little more gentle and not try to tighten it until it hurts, no further problem. I'd not hesitate to buy another and I'm contemplating doing exactly that.
 
me too cant fault em.....shop around and you will get one cheaper too.:)
 
Very pleased with mine.
Been using the Drennan handle this season, only problem I've had was accidently pulling it apart becuase I didn't see the marks on the inner section, but it was easy enough to put back together and I've now extended the painted line all the way round.
 
martin read this from another section before buying.....


Hi Guys

Having been forced to take public transport now due to disability, I've been on the look out for a travel landing net handle to around 8-9ft collapsible to around 3ft.

When I read Darren George's review of the Chris Brown net (good review by the way Darren), I thought my luck was in as I found one on his website from the link Darren had put up.

http://www.cbproducts.co.uk/landingnets.cfm (scroll the bottom of the page)

Although the traveller (3x3m) is a 42" net, I spoke with Chris and he made a 32" for me as it was for barbelling.

The handle and net arrived yesterday. Although its perfect for the travelling, I'm not so impressed for the price from a fishing perspective as its glass (I think) and a little heavier than I would have liked and the net does not seem finished very well, thats not to say I couldn't land fish with it.

So my dilemma is, do I keep it for what its made for, travelling, or send it back because its not as good a quality for the price as I expected.

Problem is I can't find anything else on the market suitable that has a bit of backbone for lifting fish out of the water. The only telescopic one I think may be a possibility is the Hardy Marksman, although I haven't seen one or know its strength, any ideas anyone.

http://www.hardyfishing.com/en-gb/pr...ng-net-handle/

Appreciate your thoughts guys as I can't make my mind up.

Cheers
Jas


this should have appeared as a qoute....ie..chris brown nets....
 
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Martin go with the Drennan. It's one of the lightest and strongest on the market (if not the lightest and strongest). Just keep the expanding lock mechanism clean and greased and it will last for ages. I am useless at cleaning anything (dirty boy) so I just got hold of a spare part from Drennan. Problem solved.

You ought to be able to get one for about 40 quid.
 
I have a chris brown rover, and a Fox stalker paired to a Wynchwood square frame net. When i next bust one i'll be getting the drennan.

The chris brown is a bit a heavy, and the mesh on the net on mine doesnt appear to be the best. The fox stalker handle is always sticking, but if you regular stick a wet wipe over it and clean the inner part then this solves that problem. Wynchwood square net is brill though. Faultless.

Several barbel comrades have the Drennan, and find it an improvement on the fox. Though the spike on the fox is useful for some people.
 
Thanks for the responses guys. Oh and Clive, I had read that but it seemed one bad review out of many good ones. Maybe I'll go with the drennan after all and see how long I can make it last.
 
Still can't understand why such a top company as Drennan with a reputation for sound gear haven't addressed this issue with the locking mech on this handle, which is highly thought of ? This problem has been going on for yonks, I would have thought an alternative system would have been implemented by now. I have often come close to getting one in the past but this issue has always prevented me. My car only gets washed once a year on the anniversary of it's registration so a landing net locking mech hasn't got a lot of hope for a regular scrub ! :)
 
I have the Drennan handle which is half weight of my old Fastnet. I use it for both barbel with 32" Abu net and for bream/roach/chub with 20" Drennan net. One thing...don't over tighten it as I did. Got new widget FOC from Drennan together with maintenance sheet.
 
Dave Bartell said:
Still can't understand why such a top company as Drennan with a reputation for sound gear haven't addressed this issue with the locking mech on this handle, which is highly thought of ? This problem has been going on for yonks, I would have thought an alternative system would have been implemented by now. I have often come close to getting one in the past but this issue has always prevented me. My car only gets washed once a year on the anniversary of it's registration so a landing net locking mech hasn't got a lot of hope for a regular scrub ! :)
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Know what you are saying Dave....a lot of people have asked that question, including contacting Drennan about it. I can only assume that Drennan agree with Chris on this...that the problem is user based rather than a faulty design. Either that, or they think correcting the problem would require a complete new handle concept, so would rather keep supplying free replacement parts.

One assumes that Peter is very concious of his company's reputation, so the former seems more likely I would have thought....though it does beg the question of why then he doesn't issue an open letter of some sort addressing the issue.

Cheers, Dave.
 
Dave Bartell said:
Still can't understand why such a top company as Drennan with a reputation for sound gear haven't addressed this issue with the locking mech on this handle, which is highly thought of ? This problem has been going on for yonks, I would have thought an alternative system would have been implemented by now. I have often come close to getting one in the past but this issue has always prevented me. My car only gets washed once a year on the anniversary of it's registration so a landing net locking mech hasn't got a lot of hope for a regular scrub ! :)
Click to expand...

I don't dismantle the handle at all. If and when it feels gritty I may though. Otherwise I simply avoid overtightening the handle and it's been absolutely fine. It's an issue that's blown out of all proportion and a non-issue as far as I'm concerned. That's in spite of the fact that I buggered my own Drennan handle within the first few months of owning it. That was purely down to overtightening. A few too many people blaming the gear rather than their own cack handedness as far as I'm concerned. Just goes to show that it doesn't take much to ruin the reputation of a piece of kit.
 
I agree with Chris about the locking mechanism on the drennan handle a quarter of a turn to lock or unlock and dont overtight and it is usually ok,although i have had to take mine apart to clean .

The ss is also a lot lighter than the Chris Brown and in my opinion a better choice
 
Martin, the mesh to the sides of the net is quite large, and does have the potential to snag a dorsal if not careful. All it takes is to ensure the fin is folded flat before lifting. Standard fishcare isnt it. The mesh to the base is small enough to cause no problems.

The weight of my net isn't an issue, but weight was a factor in my choice so I went for the carbon pole.

You pays yer money and makes yer choice.

Hope that helps
 
Buy a three section 3mtr telescopic one from the match section of any decent tackle shop.
Mine has been used and abused for around ten years on and off, it was cheap as chips when I bought it and the only maintenance it has ever needed is a quick rinse with river water if it gets muddy.
It has the added advantage of folding down to 1mtr long in those tight swims.
 
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