Steve Williams
Senior Member
Gardner Barbel / Specialist Pan Net by John Morton
I bought this net back in Autumn last season, and so far it has landed maybe 15 barbel to just shy of 13lb. What I really like about it is just the sheer size of it. I dont like using carp-type nets to land barbel on flowing water. certainly when you are on your own, it can be a real struggle as the current tries to carry the net down stream.
I've primarily used the Gardner net on the Kennet, and not only it is really easy to handle while landing a fish on your own, it is big enough to rest and recover a decent double such that the fishcan sit full length in the water to recover rather than being doubled up. Very important on some of the high banked Kennet swims where you cant actually nurse the fish by hand.
One small gripe, on the earlier models, the self tappers which hold the hoop into the spreader block work loose very quickly. One of mine actually dropped out while I was landing a fish, and I've heard from several other anglers who have had the same problem and have effected DIY improvements to beef up this area - details below
DIY improvements : The self tappers in the net are only 5-6mm long, not nearly robust enough. I myself found a couple of self tappers double the length and diameter and replaced the originals with these. I am now confident that my net is strong and secure, however this is a point of detail which I believe Gardner need to consider for future models.
Other than this however, I am very pleased with my net, and, notwithstanding the issue I mentioned, I would recommend it.
For Gardner website, and related webpage, see here
John Morton
July 2010
I bought this net back in Autumn last season, and so far it has landed maybe 15 barbel to just shy of 13lb. What I really like about it is just the sheer size of it. I dont like using carp-type nets to land barbel on flowing water. certainly when you are on your own, it can be a real struggle as the current tries to carry the net down stream.
I've primarily used the Gardner net on the Kennet, and not only it is really easy to handle while landing a fish on your own, it is big enough to rest and recover a decent double such that the fishcan sit full length in the water to recover rather than being doubled up. Very important on some of the high banked Kennet swims where you cant actually nurse the fish by hand.
One small gripe, on the earlier models, the self tappers which hold the hoop into the spreader block work loose very quickly. One of mine actually dropped out while I was landing a fish, and I've heard from several other anglers who have had the same problem and have effected DIY improvements to beef up this area - details below
DIY improvements : The self tappers in the net are only 5-6mm long, not nearly robust enough. I myself found a couple of self tappers double the length and diameter and replaced the originals with these. I am now confident that my net is strong and secure, however this is a point of detail which I believe Gardner need to consider for future models.
Other than this however, I am very pleased with my net, and, notwithstanding the issue I mentioned, I would recommend it.
For Gardner website, and related webpage, see here
John Morton
July 2010