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Landing net woes

Steve Reed

Senior Member
I apologise in advance for starting another landing net thread. I have contributed to these discussions in the past but I have yet to identify my perfect landing net for barbel.

I have more nets than the Grimsby trawler fleet but not one of them is perfect for barbel fishing. I have recently been using the Wychwood Quickfold net which gave up at the critical moment last night. The threaded boss came out of the plastic spreader block due to the thread being stripped just as I was netting a fish. I was already having doubts about the net when last week the arms bent despite me lifting a good double from the water by the arms only. Fundamentally this is a net built to a budget and it shows.

All I want is a net with a deep strong mesh, strong arms and a strong metal spreader. I prefer a spoon but will take a triangular net if it meets my perfect spec. I am prepared to pay good money for a good net; I want one to last and I don't want to compromise fish safety. It seems that all the manufacturers are trying to knock out nets for about 20 quid and herein lies the problem.

Every net recommended on this forum seems to have its negative aspects. I had thought that Chris Brown nets were the way to go but not all the reviews i have read have been positive.

Short of setting up myself as a landing net manufacturer, is there a net out there that really does the job?

Thanks

Steve
 
Ngt 36" triangle net. Paid 99p for it on fleabay and never had a problem, landed loads of fish to mid doubles. I really don't know why barbel anglers are so hung up about landing nets or what on earth they do to break them.
If you want to get really fancy, Advanta do a 36" or 42" triangle net for about 40 quid that is very strong and has built in floats on the arms. It's a good bit of kit. Stick any of these on the end of the Gardner handle and you'll be good for years.
 
New Drennan triangle net think its 32 inch on my second season with it cant fault it so far
 
Thanks Paul. I have seen some big barbel swim into that net of yours so I take your recommendation seriously! I really do seem to be jinxed when it comes to nets and I am hoping that my next purchase will be my last for a few seasons at least.

Steve
 
New Drennan triangle net think its 32 inch on my second season with it cant fault it so far

When you buy Drennan, you know it will be quality and won't fall to bits, unlike some other tackle companies who make stuff cheap and field test it on their customers (Fox and Wychwood plastic spreader blocks spring to mind)!
 
I'm with Dean on the Drennan - so far. I also agree with Neil on Drennan generally - I still use an old Super Specialist net for all my trotting and chubbing - battered but it shows no sign of giving up.
 
Korum Spoon latex mesh for all by barbel fishing,I have made a few "improvements" though.Its the original one with screw thread grippers which are ment hold the arms in the spreader,as they don't really work I removed them,drilled through the top part of the arms filled it all with araldite and put a couple of self tapping screws in.

This worked a treat and has lasted me for years,plus it's a very strong net
 
i bought a daiwa mission net and handle with the stainless metal pins on the arms and stainless top part, great net and handle light but very strong and very useful 38 inch net, :)
 
Another shout for the 32" Drennan Specialist - a very well built piece of kit.

When tenching I invariably need a slightly bigger net to accommodate the odd accidental carp, so last spring I bought the Tackle Box Solid Composite 36" arms which are really strong, 36" Freespirit replacement mesh and the TB machined alloy block which is bomb proof. All in it worked out at £46, so not much more than the Drennan but it's a really strong set-up. Links below.

Re a handle, I'm very happy with the Super Specialist Twist Lock - if that ever gives up the ghost or Peter Drennan runs out of those plastic bushes, I'll buy one from Chris Brown - now they are bomb proof from what I have seen.


http://www.tacklebox.co.uk/landing-...tb-solid-composite-arms-and-cord-36-inch.html

http://www.tacklebox.co.uk/landing-...achined-alloy-landing-net-spreader-block.html

http://www.tacklebox.co.uk/landing-...rit-replacement-green-river-mesh-36-inch.html
 
Some really good suggestions here guys. I must admit I like the look of the components from tackle box, especially the machined spreader block. I have what is maybe an irrational distrust of plastic components in landing nets which I have always managed to break. Then again I am the most hamfisted angler I know!

Steve
 
30" Korum Spoon latex mesh. Being a 30" spoon it equals the size of a 36" triangle net. Also, Mice seem to not to like Latex.
Unlike others that reported the lug Allen screws coming loose, I've had no problems. I bought mine when they first come out. Although it does not fold up like some newer ones on the market i know there is no weak spot on the frame
On commercials where i use smaller nets i only use my trusty Drennan nets.
 
Why oh why doesn't someone make a net with either st/st or better still,..lightweight titanium arms, block and male thread,..matched up with a pinned female pole fixing of the same materials?
All obvious weak spots,...too many " good" pole fixings are just glued in place and as mentioned plastic will become brittle and break,.some alloy arms bend.
It's not a science is it!? Yes it would cost more,...but at least give anglers the option.
 
I've recently got the new korum quick release net adapter.Brilliant bit of kit.
.

It certainly is a well designed adapter which is why I bought it,sadly it lasted 4 weeks and then developed a crack in the cam mechanism,I then found out why it's called a quick release net adapter-it released my landing net into the river.:(
 
I've personally knackered two of the nets listed in the angler's mail review. I think that the price of the nets in this article tells you all you need to know about the build quality and likely lifespan. I agree with Dave Taylor's sentiments.

Steve
 
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