I do my best to handle fish as carefully as possible. I and those I fish with are getting better at it.

There are times that we bring fish to the net. I am very interested in "Catch and Release" Nets or the knotless nets being mentioned.

What specific make or type of net would you think to be the best?

How does one make the best use of this type of net?

Where would be the best place to catch and release a steelhead over 25 pounds? Please be specific. (Ha! tried to sneak that last one in :p )

Ask the fellas at Ted's for the Loki C&R net ... shallow bag, non-absorbant soft, fine mesh.

Trick to using them is keeping about 1/2 the bag in the water after netting, it basically traps the fish and they won't roll up in it if you keep a bunch of it in the water

Your last question? Simple, on my boat :p

Bump

Anyone have more info or is this the net to get?

You might look at the Frabill 3026. Its rubber mesh and a great size for blackmouth, steelhead and coho. I called Sportco and they say they have them in stock at $48. If not, call Frabill directly at 262-677-4740. Good luck.

BOB

Would you post a hi-mag close-up pic of the mesh on your C&R net?

I recently got my hands on a Beckman 'FinSaver Pen' that really is designed to hang like a vertical circular wall with a flat bottom or floor, just like a miniature fishfarm net-pen. The mesh is small and knotless which is very fish-friendly, but it's treated with a 'hook-proof' coating that is somewhat stiff and abrasive.... not bad in 85 degree pool water, but in 45 degree river water, I suspect it's probably quite a bit rougher on the fish.

we have a company up here call "GIBBS" and they make a couple of very good cnr salmon nets. If they have any draw back, it's the net bag is quite deep. Most of the salmon lodges up here that do a lot of cnr are changing to these nets when they need new ones. Berry's Bait can tell you pricing and they do ship to the USA.

Here you go



Sounds like construction is similar.

Very, very soft regardless of water temp and it's NOT cotton ... rather I think some form of polyester, consequently, it's not terribly absorbant and if you leave it in the water, there appears to be NO slime from the fish that transfers.

Loki

Looks like the same mesh used in the "walls" of my FinSaver Pen, but like I said, mine has a somewhat stiff rubberized coating to strengthen the mesh and keep hooks from actually impaling it.

I noticed a few strands of the material in your picture were severed, creating a few larger openings in the mesh... no doubt the sign of success. How long have you had the net, and how would you rate the mesh's overall durability?

That net has been around the block a few times ... probably in excess of a thousand fish and the damge has probably come from being tossed around the boat more than anything else. Overall, I'd give it an A+ for durabilty.

What about the rubber netting? I saw some pretty nice sized (cost and actual size) ones at a fly shop in Jackson, WY. Can you find those around here? When I get a good net I plan on getting a CnR net, but I don't want to spend like $80 for a net!

I've got the beckman 6' fin-saver also.It work's great,but was a little spendy.But then again the nates are worth it.I keep it in my drift boat @ all times,I broke it in the fall on some coastal rivers it rock's when it's time to get the hook's out,they don't stick in the net.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

I currently have a Beckman. It is a little stiff and can knock off some slime, but is quite easy to get the fish out of. For me the criteria was a skookum frame with a large opening, shallow sides, and a wide bottom. A lot of the nets aren't wide enough and are too deep to easily turn the fish out of.

Ok guys, lets try this one more time. If the picture comes through, check out this net for releasing natives or catch and release fishing; or log on to their web site http://www.frabill.com/landing_nets.html,

It is supposed to be available at Sportco. I will have it at the Seattle Boat Show at our booth if you want to look at it.

Cheers




Tangle Free Rubber Landing Net

Rubber nets have long been a favorite among the Catch & Release crowd for a variety of multi-specie applications. Although popular, these nets have an inherent problem in the fact that the mesh bag is a two-piece design held together using metal clips. Clips can become corroded or damaged leaving a rough edge that can rough up your catch. They can also prove to be the weak spot in the net and can fail after prolonged use.

To alleviate these problems Frabill has developed a totally new rubber net featuring a one-piece seamless bag. No more clips, rough spots or weak seams. This exclusive design is now available in the Sportsman Tangle Free Rubber Series. Anglers will also appreciate the model 3026's new larger 20" x 23" dimensions making it the largest rubber net on the market. Stretchy molded thermoplastic mesh expands naturally to fit a fish’s size and weight and the flat bottom panel supports the entire length of the fish to further reduce stress on the fish.

here ya go