Nets - Coated Nylon or Rubber Mesh?

[Chode2235]

Looking for a new fishing net, and was wondering the opinions on coated nylon or rubber mesh.

I do mostly C&R for bass, walleyes, and tangle with the occasional pike or musky. I want something big enough to handle those big fish, but not something huge that will take up my whole boat.

I also want something that wont tangle my hooks and will be as easy as possible on my catch for release.

[dan z]

coated nylon! them rubber ones dont hold fish very well IMO get a tangle free net and you will be happy

[BobT]

I like the coated nylon as well although I've never actually tried a rubber mesh. There are those that claim the rubber mesh is safer for the fish. I don't know about that and I believe it can have a lot to do with how you handle the net and how you handle the fish.

Bob

[slipperybob]

cotton string coated...

[mamohr686]

I've had both and like the rubber coated nylon much better than the solid rubber nets. The solid rubber nets are very heavy so it is difficult to one-arm net a fish if your solo. Rubber nets are also very shallow so it's easier for a fish to bounce or jump out. The advantage is that they are very tangle free and almost impossible to tangle with trebble hooks, so the only time I would recommend one is if you do a ton of trolling cranks.

[Borch]

The newer bigger rubber nets are deeper. But they are heavier and tougher to handle if you're fishing alone. They do handle large fish pretty well. I keep a big nylon net in the boat just in case I hook up with a big musky though.

[Shorelunch]

I would not buy a rubber net again. They're heavy and I've had fish bounce out of them.

[mainbutter]

I'm a pretty big fan of rubber nets. I don't own one, but the two time's I've used one, I've thought to myself "why don't I have one of these? I like using this better than my current net"

Then I go and look at the prices, and realize why I don't have one. In my experience, they're considerably more expensive than other nets.

[Outfitter17]

We use the rubber nets for bass and walleye, but The guides also carry larger nets just in case they run into a large pike or muskie.

[harvey lee]

I have a rubber net for eyes and it works great. Yes, a larger fish can bounce out of it if you are not careful but heck, I never catch fish that big.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I have a Stowaway, love that thing.. Its got a coated net.. and then the whole thing folds up to fit in storage easy.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Coated for me

[Chode2235]

Thanks, how big a net do you carry?

[Northlander]

I will never own another rubber net. I hated how heavy they are and how fish can actually trampoline their way out of it. Get a good coated net. There are many nice nets but my next one will be a Stowmaster. Big $ but worth it to me.