Net Part 2

[MJBo]

Cabelas only has one beckman w/ a hoop size 30X34 its a pen type net. I bought it and now I regret it. Shoulda got that dang power yolk jobber on a frabill big kahuna. Anyone have a net comparable to that beckman? Should I just suck it up and go to Thorne Bros gift certificate be darned. Decisions decisions........

[cliffy]

It has been my experience that when I buy something that I am not 100% satisfied with...It will bother me until I take it back and buy what I really wanted. So, I tend to buy what I want the first time around..even if it hurts the pocket book a little up front...I am happier in the long run.

The 30X34 seems sorta small to me....but I am use to a bigger muskie net. I would recommend the Frabill power-lok-yok system...it has served me well (details of my experience can be found in your first post on this topic.) If you want to see a pic of my net, I posted a similar topic on this forum back on 4/6/05 under the heading of “muskie net”..and yes, that is my wife inside the net and she is 5'5!

If I were you, I would run to Thorn Bros, take a look at what they have, talk to the staff...and then buy the one you want and be happy. Good luck.

[Random guy]

Take it back! I have a garage full of junk that I should have taken back. Use the money for some of the good rain gear or a stack of lures.

I have the big big beckman and I like the net but you have to darn near get in and swim around with the fish to get them unhooked. That does prove to be a problem from time to time when the fish can do a 180 in the net. I also have to keep it extended when I'm fishing or it becomes a mess trying to get the handle locked by myself.

I have been looking at the new frabils with the snap lock system. I think that is the way to go, espically for someone that fishes alone.

[MJBo]

So if you feel like your bag might be too big and I kinda think the one I got may be too small, what size hoop and bag would you go with. I've got a decent boat, but its no yacht. Plus i've already caught my wife and if I get a fish of comparable size I guess I'll probably be dead of a heart attack long before I get her into the net.

[cliffy]

Thats a good one. I keep my net next to the front door this time of year, I net her on the way out to the mall. It upsets her a bunch, but it keeps the credit card bills low............

I love the size of my net. Yeah, it can get in the way once in awhile, but I sure do love having a "holding pen" when ya got a fatty next to the boat. I can slow down, catch my breath, get my nerves settled, break out the camera and then remove the fish from the water for just a second or two. This size of net comes in REALLY handy when you got a fish hooked good. Just let them float along as you cut the hooks or perform minor surgery....no need to bring them out of the water.

I fish out of a 16.5 boat, about half the time by myself...and I have never had a problem storing it, or getting it out quickly when needed.

You may want to do a search on nets that fold down even more than my Frabill. I forgot the name of them...fold away or something like that....they seem very nice.

[TomWehler]

Used the Beckmen line for sometime.

Used the FinSaver bag since Bruce sent me one when he was first trying them out.

Had my right thumb busted and dislocated some 25 times hand landing big fish and a few other things I had a plastic knuckle put in.

Nice problem to have, but still don't hold a sandwich in the cold.

That an one other guy thing is really all a thumb is good for really!

Needed me a NET!

Huge and cut straight down to bottom then huge sort of square on the bottom and flat.

Smaller coated weave will not cut fins.

HUGE!

Have had no problems except them nasty teenager fish in the below 40" mark raise hell in them.

Farbil power-lok deal came along next and is very nice to have.

Stick with my Beckmen as I aint rich and like it.

Plus it just lays on the deck of our 2025 Lund Pro V Magnum LE until we need it.

Plenty O room even with two clients, me and them nasty 50"ers.

And like others here have mentioned you can hold fish until your ready to work on it and after so it is good to go when release time comes.

Both very good, larger is always better when dealing with BIG fish to me.

Frabil might have an edge for quickness in poping handle in place though and larger coated weave.

Buyers choice.

good to see you asking questions and having fun shopping.

Guide tested and Homer J & Barney Toonder approved!

Cool thing is this in not staged.

These two are with me all the time and when I took a break to get some pop I set lead rod down in bow and stash rod is always leaning on gunwhale.

To fun.

They are my guides and always ready to go!

Tom

[TomWehler]

They also like to lay in their net when fishen is sometimes SLOW!

That way if something happens they can not hear, when I go to move the net they are READY TO GO!

FISH ON!

Barney is 89 LB & a pure lover, Homer J. is about 80 Lb.

Thinks he is a Grizzly bear & tough as one.

Great guides.

[MJBo]

Well, guess that means you can get a 169lber in that net! Hope you get the chance