Catfish Landing Net supreme

[Catmendo]

Not all landing nets are created equal.
That is why I've simply got to share my findings with those that are interested in learning what I beleave is the finest catfishing landing net available!

Over the winter I was attending a boat & RV show when I came across a booth that was well stocked with fishing tackle and accessories. I was browsing thru the large selection of landing nets when one really caught my eye. It had all the necessary quality features to make it an ideal catfish landing net. The first and most important feature is the mesh and in my opinion the fine mesh nets are simply in a league of their own when it comes to landing ol' whiskers. This net featured a soft knotless nylon 3/4" mesh. The net also sports a very light weight yet extremely strong twin wall hoop design conbined with a one-piece yoke system and a 1.25" dia. aluminum slide handle. In a nutshell it had the ingredients
to make it a superior catfish landing net. I couldn't resist and felt that it would have been totally inappropriate to leave the show with out it!
This particular net I purchased at the sport show is manufactured in the U.S.A. by Frabil and during this past week I've really put it thru the paces. It not only performed well it actually succeeded my expectations I had for it!

I'm well versed when it comes to small mesh landing nets, in fact I've fished exclusively with that style longer than I care to remember.
The two key features to look for when choosing a top quality catfish landing net are it's mesh size and it's strength design.
Two "KEY" advantages the small mesh offers over it's counterpart large mesh is....the lead weights that your fishing with "NEVER" slip thru the mesh and get tangled when netting the fish! The opposite occurs most everytime when netting a cat with a conventional mesh. When your netting a lot of fish this can be extremely frustrating. The other feature which is equally attractive is the soft fine mesh seldom allows the fish to become entangled, again this is the norm with the conventional mesh size!It's simply much friendlier on the fish especially when your practising catch & release fishing. (I never kill catfish over two or three #'s).

So the next time that you're in the market for a new high end landing for catfish take this Frabil for a test drive....I'll stake my reputation that you won't be disappionted!

By the way the particular net that I'm referring to is manufactured by Frabil and is called the "Blockbuster Halibut Net" ! It truly is the finest net I've ever had the pleasure to use!!!

Fish "Hard" Forever!

Stu McKay

[Guest]

Cool, Thanks for the heads up on the net by Frabill.

I can easily see the advantages to the finer mesh. One of the big pains in netting a sumo is the rigging getting caught up in the web of the netting. Them piggys sure do love to Rock & Roll Eh.

I use all Frabill nets, from the bait nets up to the huge sumo piggy nets, love them, built to last. So far I have not seen the Blockbuster Halibut Net, but will sure look for it. Maybe I can get the replacement bag for the nets I have on hand.

I will give Mark G. at Frabill a call and see what I can find.

Thanks again Stu.

Ed

[This message has been edited by Backwater Eddy (edited 05-17-2003).]

[Boar]

hey stu thanks for the info on the net, plus could ya give me some info on situation up there have a large urge to do some cat'n up there and would welcome some info, advise, pricing, accommadations, guiding ect. Thanks boar

[Wiskers]

Howdy Stu

I am very glad you mentioned that net, I was just looking at one the other day and almost got it, now there is no excuse not to get it. That sinker delema is a real issue and Mr. Wiskers I believe is the king of rolling up nets just behinde Mr. Pike.

Stu, I am heading up there Wed, June 4. I would like a fishing report on how the kitties have been doing so far. I will also be calling up there to see about lodging.

Hope to see you up there.

Rusty

[Guest]

I had a chance to check out the Frabill net Stu was bragging up over the past few days. Ran a mess of big cats through it, no worries Eh.

Yup, it is a winner, very user friendly and easy on the cats too.

Far less tangles, the flat bottom really helps hold them sumo cats in place so they do not roll up in a mess.

Very cool!

Thanks Stu!

See ya again soon Eh.

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding "ED on the RED"

[This message has been edited by Backwater Eddy (edited 05-31-2003).]

[Boar]

Hey rusty hows the cats in your neighborhood? I was out two weeks ago did ok out of Oslo, took another new guy ended up doing everything, he's an acomplished walleye man but new to cats, but we had fun, let me know on how you did up north. Later boar.

[Catmendo]

Boar,

I appreciate your interest, this portion of the Red is absolutely brillant so far this spring! There's plenty of excessive flow which does nothing more than keep those pussies chomping.
I expect this feeding partern to remain intact for a while longer because I've just been informed that there's been quite of lot of rain in the Fargo/Forks region. I love to hear that because all that extra water comes my way. This keeps those kitties in a munch'n
mood!
It's best to email us for up to date info regarding our lodging situation here at Cats. As it stands right now we don't have many vacancies for June, but we do have a few here and there.
One thing I'll never do is misrepresent or deceive the angling fraternity regarding any topic or product, my style has always been "tell it how it is", and I'll never change this way of thinking. When I shared with you my thoughts on that Frabil net it was because I wanted to inform the angling fraternity about a landing net that in my opinion is the best I've ever come accross, bar none!
Backwater Eddy was just up here and I let him take the Frabil for a "TEST DRIVE", in a nutshell Ed instantly saw the advantages it offers and I think it's fair to say that my pal Backwater will "never" fish a conventional net again. He's a smart 'ol boy and is quick to pick-up on something that's productive and innovative!

To give you an idea what's presently happening on the cat bite up here, yesterday two guys that pulled their rig up here from central MO. caught & released 60 cats yesterday. The total cats caught between two of my guides today was 107 cats averaging close to 20#'s! As one of the guests in this party said when the day was over, "that was the most fun I've ever had with my close on"! Not an original but in this case it was fitting!!!!!

Fish "Hard" Forever!

Stu MCKay
www.catsonthered.com

[Wiskers]

Thanks for the tip there Stu. I have been having trouble getting on your site for the past two weeks. I can not seem to get my server to find it?????

Is you site still up and running? I need to get the number so I can call and see the rates and check on vacancies for next week.

I am foaming at the mouth just at the thought of heading up there for the first time this year... Dang work, I dont get a lot of days off and you would think that my boss would understand and just let me off when ever just to head up there.. He has no sence of fishing and it's addictive properties... LOL

Thanks Stu.

Rusty

[Catmendo]

Rusty,

Yes my site has been down for approximately two weeks, but it should be up and runing in the next few days.
We don't have any vacancies at Cats until the 19th Of June. This is good for me but probably not for you.

Fish "Hard" Forever!

[shefland]

Stu, will be there tomorow, can hardly wait, I am in the garage playing with my clicker, sounds kinky, see ya, Dave in Walker

[Catmendo]

Hey Dave,

Obviously you've been reading some on the reports coming in regarding the action up here. I would suggest that you have fresh string on your your pole!

See ya tomorrow!

Fish "Hard" Forever!

[Boar]

Hey Stu,Thanks for honesty, The recent rain last week did'nt amount for much on the red, I drive over the Red every day and glance at a particular marker I keep my eye on and if anything its went down a smidge since last week, Tonight theres t-storms rolling in and 50-50 chance for more tomorrow, that should get the river push'n nort. I'm seriously looking at 28 of june up there with a couple of buds, any campsites open? Any pub. land near river too camp? If not, I'll drop in and say howdy anyway. Thanks again, boar 218-253-4051 if anything open at time mention above, or can delay for future openings.

[Wiskers]

Hey there Stu man, We are going to be up there Wednesday, We are leaving around midnight or so. Wondering if there will be any place open around there when we get there, 3-4 am, to get licenses for the year? What time do you open there? Maybe I will time it so we get there when you open. What is the number for your place, I have to give you a call tuesday before I come, have a question for ya.

Man I can't wait to get there. So "thinking to self" I wonder how long I would have to live there to get residency? LOL Perhaps Stu will adopt me. LOL

A bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at work.

Rusty

[Wiskers]

Boar I still got room for one more in the boat for Wednesday ..... :-)

Rusty

[Catmendo]

Boar,

There's a camp ground and boat launch in the city of Selkirk that's only five miles from Cats On The Red.

Rusty, you won't be able to get a fishing license at three in the morning.....unless there's a gas bar in the Peg that carries them???? I don't open until 7:00 am.
My number here at Cats is (204) 757-9876.

Fish "Hard" Forever!

[Wiskers]

Thanks Stu. I thought one of them gas stations might be open near by. I will just plan it so we get there a bit before 7ish.

See ya then.

Rusty

[Boar]

Hey rusty thanks alot for the invite, I really aprreciate it, but to short notice for me, let me know how ya did. May the cats pounce on your bait and your arms ache good luck, later boar

[DARK30]

Wheres the best place to check one of these nets out? I have a Beckman right now but its more of a walleye net and the hooks get pretty tangled up in it. On the other hand, I need something thats easy to carry too. I do like to get them nets wet whatever they are!

I do need to make it up to the Channel Mecca one of these days!...Could trade a trip with someone who knows they're way around up there. I think I could be a good host down here...A boat, a tent, a smartfire, and steak n eggs for breakfast.

WET NETS!

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cast,cast,cast,cast......

[Guest]

If your going through the Pembina ND crossing you can stop in at Morris MB. The hardware store and gas station there has fishing permits for MB.

Not sure if they are open all night or not at the gas station though?

Not sure how many stores carry the Frabill nets we are talking about? (I ordered 2 and got them in 2 days from Frabill.) They all should, they would be a darn Good walleye net too, and pike. That flat bag is the right idea Eh. Like that fine mesh too, yup-yup. I always though the finer mess would snag too much current on a river, but they don't. It shoots under the fish well and bags them fast. The bag tab that Frabill has to hold the net on the handle is a handy deal too. Shoot and scoop, get the camera, let her go to grow. (A large O-ring slipped on the net handle will do the job too.
)

Dark30 if I get up there again soon and have a open bunk your welcome to join me bud. If not now in June, think late July and all of August. I will be up there for a couple of weeks then for sure. Be cool to get you and fishhead and Big Bud Shanon on them sumo's. It would not take much to get me back up there now, as long as I am not booked here, I'm game for there. We can bunk up to 5 in Stu's cabins with ease. We might need a bigger coffee pot though.

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding "ED on the RED"

[This message has been edited by Backwater Eddy (edited 06-04-2003).]

[Canuck]

I have to eat "CROW", I went cattin today and Stu had me take one those Frabill nets. I had teased him about them grabbing too much water, WELL, I have to eat crow now. Landed 23 cats in 4 hrs and not one problem with the flow. I admit will be using them from now on, they are as Stu said, a great net for sumo kittys.