Landing Gear

[Koepper08]

Hey guys-

I am going to buy a net/cradle and just wondering what everyone else is using and why. Thanks in advance!

[Shawn Kellett]

Beckman because they float and the bag isn't so deep that I need to put on my snorkeling equipment.

[50inchpig]

agreed, wish i had one. if you don't get the beckman at least consider weight and manuverability when you buy, heavy net will cost you some fish if you fish by yourself often. beckman is worth every penny though.

[porterhouse]

Beckman net is what I have. I fish by myself about 99% of the time and this net is lite.

Brian

[Koepper08]

Thanks everyone for the replies! What size of Beckman is it, or are they all good? How much is the cost? I figure I spent enough on the rod and reel I need a good net so they keep swimming! Just wondering ballpark to know how much cash I need to bring with to the store.

[Shawn Kellett]

You're probably looking at the $120ish range. Pick the size according to how much you'll be fishing alone. I fish alone about60% of the time and find the smaller one is much easier for me to handle by myself.

Whatever you do get the finsaver bag. The other one splits fins pretty easily.

[eyehead]

I have a Frabil(dont know the model) that I picked up for about $125......I wish I would of bought a Beckman though. Like Shawn said the bag is way too deep on it. I'm pretty sure I could fit half of the boat in it

[Nick Kuhn]

You can always buy a different size bag for the Frabils. I suppose it depends on the boat you have. I actually like the deep bag on ours as the side of the boat is pretty high out of the water. Before switching to a deep bag the fish were barely in the water (unless I dragged them around to the rear of the boat), causing them to thrash a little more.

[APCfishing]

Ive got a frabil I bought from Fleetfarm for $80 and it works great! It might be a little heavier then the beckman but does the job just fine.

[brmuskie]

I use a frabill power catch. I like the frabill the best because of the yoke system on it, the tanglefree mesh, and the deep bag.

Beckmans are lighter and easier to use if fishing alone BUT I can't stand the mesh in a Beckman - I end up with too many thrashing fish that get hooks all tangled up and I need to cut hooks just to get the net untangled so I can attempt to get the hooks out of the fish. That never happens to me in my Frabill.

IMO - A perfect net would be the weight of a Beckman, a quick locking yoke like the Frabill, and tanglefree like the Frabill.

[Zelmsdawg]

Definitely go with a net, cradles are tough especially by yourself and I've personally lost more then landed with them. The cradle is nice to use as a in the water measure while releasing tool though

Zelmsdawg

[Bassinbob84]

I agree with brmusky 100%