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Folding landing nets

Rob Paylor

Rob Paylor

Senior Member
I did search the forum and can see there's been a few similar topics discussed over the years however, I REALLY would like to use a landing net head that folds down after use. My current large Korum Latex Spoon has been a good net for me and held together well, but it's such a cumbersome beast and a pain to carry longer distances for sure.

So, are the current crop of folding nets, triangle or spoon type, any good at all or do they still fall to pieces relatively easy as seems to have been reported in the past?

Would def prefer latex type as mesh nets just seem to snag up on any and everything and stink after use.

I'm expecting the usual negative comments as per the previous posts on this subject, but do wonder if a better folding net has maybe appeared on the market in more recent times 🤞

Thanks in advance for any input...
 
Depending on where and how I am fishing I sometimes use a folding landing net. It was designed for reservoir trout fishing and has a simple four foot single section alloy handle and a plastic collar to secure the arms when extended. Despite this I have used it to land carp and catfish to mid 20's. I lift the fish by gripping the mesh, not by the handle so the plastic lock does not take the weight.

It only cost me a fiver at an estate auction but has done me proud for over twelve years. If I were buying a relacement I would look for a vintage folding salmon net and relace the mesh.

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I got a Korum latex folding triangle one for Xmas. Not taken it out yet, but first impressions are a bit mixed.

The latex mesh is great and feels like it would be easier to free from brambles, etc and seems like it would be more forgiving with hooks, but it’s a bit cumbersome when it comes to folding and rolling and seems to stick to itself and therefore roll up unevenly, making it tricky to get back in the provided bag. It definitely rolls up significantly ‘fatter’ than a mesh net. The ‘tackiness’ of the latex also means it resists sliding into the bag nicely. The couple of times set up and packed it down when having a play about, it wasn’t easy to set up the small block part that locks it into the set up position either, but maybe that frees up a bit over time.

I used the Korum mesh folding spoon before that and had no issues, but I’ve got a small hole in the top of the mesh (brambles), hence the replacement.

I think the design mechanism that allows them to be folded is very strong and I have total confidence in that aspect. It’s the quick-lock system, like the ones one their tripod t-bars that are a bit dubious and dangerous for use with nets, in my opinion.
 
I also have a Korum folding latex net and have the same opinions as Alex. It isn't as compact when folded and cannot simply be foldd back. You have to dislocate the spreader block which is fiddly. That said, it is a strong frame and mesh.
 
Rob Paylor said:
I did search the forum and can see there's been a few similar topics discussed over the years however, I REALLY would like to use a landing net head that folds down after use. My current large Korum Latex Spoon has been a good net for me and held together well, but it's such a cumbersome beast and a pain to carry longer distances for sure.

So, are the current crop of folding nets, triangle or spoon type, any good at all or do they still fall to pieces relatively easy as seems to have been reported in the past?

Would def prefer latex type as mesh nets just seem to snag up on any and everything and stink after use.

I'm expecting the usual negative comments as per the previous posts on this subject, but do wonder if a better folding net has maybe appeared on the market in more recent times 🤞

Thanks in advance for any input...
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I bought the 30in folding latex and found it quite a bit smaller than the spoon, which i reverted back to,its left in boot as a spare now,oh and i gave up trying to put it back in its bag lol
 
I’ve got the Korum folding spoon, its decent but its shape when it’s folded makes it a pain to carry in a rod hold all or a rucksack
 
Dave Quinn said:
I’ve got the Korum folding spoon, its decent but its shape when it’s folded makes it a pain to carry in a rod hold all or a rucksack
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Yeah I'm not sure the folded shape of a spoon is much use. I'm half tempted to try the Tackle Box specimen net in 32 or 36, love the look of their specialist handle too! It's just whether I can be arsed with mesh although I see in the comments the problem with latex and compact not being compatible 😅
 
Rob I cant comment on the latex net,but the tackle box specialist handle is a good bit of kit.I have used it all season without a problem,very simple to lock and it stays locked until you decide to unlock it!!
 
Alan Towers said:
Rob I cant comment on the latex net,but the tackle box specialist handle is a good bit of kit.I have used it all season without a problem,very simple to lock and it stays locked until you decide to unlock it!!
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They sell some great gear. I have the Gardner handle currently and find it can be a bit of a sod to make proper tight and I'll often suffer movement in the join, so that sounds very promising on the Tackle Box jobbie 👍
 
Ian Lovett said:
I seem to remember someone saying in a previous thread that the Tackle Box handle was the same as the Drennan handle.
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It looks more like the Gardner one in design I think Ian, two piece rather than the Drennans 3 (I think!). And I prefer how the threaded part is riveted inside the pole end, rather than a glued on fitting like the Gardner that has been known to come off!
 
Ian Lovett said:

3m landing net handle

I broke mine last October. Looking for a replacement. Any recommendations?
barbel.co.uk

Like most things, they get repeated time and time again. 🤣
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Rob Paylor said:
They sell some great gear. I have the Gardner handle currently and find it can be a bit of a sod to make proper tight and I'll often suffer movement in the join, so that sounds very promising on the Tackle Box jobbie 👍
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I have the gardner xl and the drennan specialist, the gardner is a bit heavier but extends to four metres giving a bit extra reach which is handy when fishing from high banks on tidal rivers,both work well imo, also have the korum folding spoon and no problem upto now apart from only had to use it on two occasions for intended purpose 😭
 
Rob Paylor said:
I did search the forum and can see there's been a few similar topics discussed over the years however, I REALLY would like to use a landing net head that folds down after use. My current large Korum Latex Spoon has been a good net for me and held together well, but it's such a cumbersome beast and a pain to carry longer distances for sure.

So, are the current crop of folding nets, triangle or spoon type, any good at all or do they still fall to pieces relatively easy as seems to have been reported in the past?

Would def prefer latex type as mesh nets just seem to snag up on any and everything and stink after use.

I'm expecting the usual negative comments as per the previous posts on this subject, but do wonder if a better folding net has maybe appeared on the market in more recent times 🤞

Thanks in advance for any input...
Click to expand...
After ditching my two previous folding spoons, I've been using the Korum Xpert Triangle 34 this season in conjunction with the larger Drennan Specialist handle and it works well.

Oversize but not silly large and very lightweight, the carbon arms are also easy to pop out with the elbow method when transferring fish to mat etc. The mesh is deep and great for fish retention/revival but it is delicate - I use a slim Trakker net float which has an integrated elastic net retainer to take up the excess mesh when roving and also making it easier to manoeuvre prior to netting fish etc. This makes a massive difference - smaller 'nuisance' chub / chublets and the net does not 'unravel' in the water - bigger fish and it releases, fully enveloping the fish.

Net rolls up tight and fits in the side pocket of my sling no probs - stink bag is a bit pants (a soft black velour type affair) but have replaced this with an aftermarket waterproof bag . . .always hang my nets after use as fish multiple venues - UV light kills disease!
 
I brought the korum folding spoon at the start of the season. Used it for a bit but found the mesh at the bottom was smaller than the mesh at the sides and the barbel would sometimes get their barbules stuck in the mesh to the point where I had to stop using it and brought the folding triangle. My only problem with the triangle is that it looks small but is fine for the size of fish I catch. If you’re catching big upper doubles then you might struggle to net them
 
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