Folding / Collapsable Nets - Need Reviews Please

[pureinsanity]

I do a majority of my fishing from shore unless someone is nice enough to offer me a spot on their boat. I mainly fish rivers for catfish and walleye. I am not worried about landing a big cat as they do not have razor sharp teeth to cut my line.

I started fishing walleyes recently and run across a few pike in the process. By the time I get the pike on shore they start doing the crappie flop and slice through my line. Also, I usually don't have a problem beaching the walleye's but occasionaly they will throw the hook and roll back down the bank. Basically just want a pack pack net I can land my fish better in.

Ive read a review about a couple telescopic nets, and Stow Away or folding nets. I was wondering if anyone has any advice or personal info regarding these nets and do they work well for you?

I saw cabelas has a Telescopic folding net for 25$. 52"L x 18"W

C abelas net

This stow away version seems like a better net but doesnt fold down as much...

C abelas Stow Away

[pulsar_nx]

I have the telescopic cabelas net which I like but since I got a boga grip I don't use it much anymore.

About the net. It is very quick to open, just a flick of the wrist and extending the pole you just twist and pull. Very slick. The only things that I would change is something other than fabric for the netting and a larger opening net would be nice.

[newoodhntr]

I've got the first net you mentioned and used it this summer when I needed the extra room in the boat and it worked really well for me. I got mine at F.F.

[Northlander]

Check out the line of Stowmaster nets. Great quality. A bit pricey but well well worth it. They last a long time. They have telescoping and folding benefits from small trout nets to huge muskie nets. Small and bigger holed netting.

[pulleye16]

I also own the cabelas telescopic folding net. great for the small to meduim fish. Very compact and light weight. after two seasons though, mine does not telescope anymore. also, for shore fishing, I'm not sure it is long enough. I'd give mine 3 out of 5 stars but would buy again cause they are about the quater of the price as for other folding nets and it works well for what I fish for (walleye and the occasionall norther).

[slipperybob]

I have two Stowmaster nets. Be forewarn to use them properly. The smaller nets have a composite plastic yoke. Don't land big fish in these. You can bend the hoop or wear out the yoke. The yoke will wear out and become loose after a few years of use too. Still a very nice net and buying the carying net bag makes it even more useful to bring it about.

The bigger Stowmaster nets with the aluminum yoke are worth it. They may seem a little harder to open and collapse, but the aluminum yoke will outlast the composite plastic yoke. They are kind of heavy for one hand operation, but the strength comes with the weight. These are the best nets that I've used.

[Northlander]

Ditto!