Cheap vs. Expensive C&R Nets

[Joe Mairo]

Hey all -

I just picked up a cheap catch and release trout net made by eagle claw - it was 14 bucks, but has the mesh that is easier on the fish. Do you think there is any real difference between a net like this and a more expensive C&R net? I'm on a budget, but I want a net that is best for the fish.

Thanks all -

Joe

 

[AKSkim]

Hey all -

I just picked up

You already have it?

Why ask then....

 

[Joe Mairo]

Ahhhh....see a reply...looking forward to some insight and......

c'mon man - it was $14 so I went for it. The shop isn't around the corner and there weren't many of them.

I haven't used it yet. So what do you think?

 

[Joe D]

As long as it's better than the net you had before it's moving in the right direction.

 

[Bamboozle]

Playing the fish quickly, handling the fish as little as possible with wet hands and using the net ONLY when necessary will benefit the fish more than worrying what material the bag is made of.

Those fancy C&R nets should be called CR&D (catch, release & die) nets because lots of people I see using them still handle their fish like crap assuming they are doing the fish a service by owning a C&R net.

 

[AKSkim]

Ahhhh....see a reply...looking forward to some insight and......

OK.

Other than your new net, in todays economy, name an QUALITY item that cost $14.00 ????

 

[Joe Mairo]

thanks for the replies.

I didn't own a net before. And I work hard to release my fish properly. I was hoping with the net I could land the fish more cleanly, keep it in the water, unhook it, and let it go.

As for the high quality for $14.....do you think every piece of expensive fishing equipment is worth the money? So much of our stuff is expensive because of the wood used to make it or the brand name or whatever....but at the end of the day...do the fish really care? People have been catching fish for a reeeaallly long time without so many of the expensive pieces of equipment we all use.

So does anyone feel like answering the question? If not, no worries.

 

[jcstikfish]

Under light-moderate use, I'm sure that net will last many seaons and perform fine. It was most likely made off-shore and if it does have a defect, you will just be out 14 bucks.

When you buy an expensive landing net like a Brodin, you are getting:

1) A very pretty piece of woodwork to look at and visually enjoy every time you use it and see a fish in it.

2) Durability that may last a lifetime. (I currently have a Brodin knotted net that I got when I was 10-11 years old. Needs a new coat of finish, but the net has been used HARD and was downright ABUSED during my teenage years. The net is in fine funtional shape.

3) Your are supporting an American company.

4) If something is flawed with the workmanship, you may have some recourse to a replacement.


So...Nothing wrong with a 14 dollar net. Yet, lots of sound reasons (if means allow) to invest in a $100 net. Choice is yours.

Enjoy your net!


~James

 

[Joe Mairo]

Under light-moderate use, I'm sure that net will last many seaons and perform fine. It was most likely made off-shore and if it does have a defect, you will just be out 14 bucks.

When you buy an expensive landing net like a Brodin, you are getting:

1) A very pretty peice of woodwork to look at and visually enjoy every time you use it and see a fish in it.

2) Durability that may last a lifetime. (I currently have a Brodin knotted net that I got when I was 10-11 years old. Needs a new coat of finish, but the net has been used HARD and was downright ABUSED during my teenage years. The net is in fine funtional shape.

3) Your are supporting an American company.

4) If something is flawed with the workmanship, you may have some recourse to a replacement.


So...Nothing wrong with a 14 dollar net. Yet, lots of sound reasons (if means allow) to invest in a $100 net. Choice is yours.

Enjoy your net!


~James

Cool - great points and I totally agree. I'm all for buying the best you can afford for the reasons you pointed out. Actually, back in May I sunk a good chunk of change into a new surf fishing set up. It's a spinning outfit though - a 9 foot, 1 piece custom rod from a local bait and tackle and a higher end spinning reel. Great for throwing plugs for bass and fluking off the beach in the summer. I'm really happy with it. It's a pleasure to use and it's a rod for life. The guys that built it really know their stuff and I learned a lot through the buying process. I was stoked I could support them. Actually, not too long ago I slipped on a jetty and banged up one of the guides real bad. I brought it back to the shop and they rewrapped a new one. Now it's as beautiful as before. I probably couldn't have done that as easily with a cheaper rod

As far as the net goes, I just can't justify a high end one right now. I saw the cheap one, checked it out, and went for it. Eventually I'll invest in a better one...it's just a matter of time. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Drossi]

Value and worth are abstract ideals placed upon objects. There are plenty of things that cost good money that aren't valuable. If it works well for you then it has value regardless of what you paid for it.

one of my most valued pieces of equipment was my hook sharpening stone. I paid a nominal cost for it but it lasted me 20 yrs, until it slipped out of my cold hands into the river bottom.

 

[Burtbords149]

There are a few things I would look for in a net.

1. Bag Material-there is now knotted, C&R and rubber
the rubber is much easier on the fish and your flies don't get tangled in it. It also doesn't stay soaked with water on your back all day.

2. Size-what type of size of fish are you after and how would you like them handled? I prefer a longer frame and a shallow bag to get the fish in and out without any tangling in the net. This also keeps the fish's body straight and not curled up like in a deep bag net.

3.Frame Materials/esthetics-Do you want a beautiful cherry, or will an oak do the same job? What do you want your net to say about you and how long do you want the frame to last? Will you be using it lightly or abusing it?

On the topic of bag material. I'm convinced that the old knotted bags are obsolete and bad for the fish. This spring I caught a beautiful little brown with tons of fight on the Neversink. Its head went through one of the hole in my net bag and I had to cut the net to get it out without ruining its scales. Since then I haven't used that net or any other knotted bag net.

On the topic of nets....get a magnetic net release, its the best investment I made this past year. So simple, so easy, much faster and less fish lost.

Good luck shopping, brodin makes some nets that are reasonably priced, but consider it an investment and you'll never have to buy another trout net....until Alaska of course.

 

[Joe Mairo]

There are a few things I would look for in a net.

1. Bag Material-there is now knotted, C&R and rubber
the rubber is much easier on the fish and your flies don't get tangled in it. It also doesn't stay soaked with water on your back all day.

2. Size-what type of size of fish are you after and how would you like them handled? I prefer a longer frame and a shallow bag to get the fish in and out without any tangling in the net. This also keeps the fish's body straight and not curled up like in a deep bag net.

3.Frame Materials/esthetics-Do you want a beautiful cherry, or will an oak do the same job? What do you want your net to say about you and how long do you want the frame to last? Will you be using it lightly or abusing it?

On the topic of bag material. I'm convinced that the old knotted bags are obsolete and bad for the fish. This spring I caught a beautiful little brown with tons of fight on the Neversink. Its head went through one of the hole in my net bag and I had to cut the net to get it out without ruining its scales. Since then I haven't used that net or any other knotted bag net.

On the topic of nets....get a magnetic net release, its the best investment I made this past year. So simple, so easy, much faster and less fish lost.

Good luck shopping, brodin makes some nets that are reasonably priced, but consider it an investment and you'll never have to buy another trout net....until Alaska of course.

Awesome - lots of food for thought. I've seen those new rubber nets. They look really nice.

Man.....maybe for Christmas the guy in the big red suit can give me a bunch of money to live on for the rest of my life and a little house.....out the front door I'd like surf break complete with bass in the whitewater and in the back yard... through the woods a bit... a wild trout stream..full of trout and bugs.....and a new net in the stocking

Thanks all - I'm here at work and going a bit nuts - have a great holiday!

 

[ajfromnj]

I know its on the expensive side but the "Tailwater" by Brodin with the Ghost Bag is a great neat and the rubber coated bag is really east on the fish. The Ghost Bag is super lightweight and the hooks do not get snagged up in it!

I also like the Pere Marquette that I use all the time. It has an older mesh bag but its such a large net that it performs a great job of being the "holding pen" for taking fish pictures. The opening is 18" X 20". I also use it for steelhead.

The more expensive nets use a lot nicer grade of wood and can be more stury than the less expensive look alike nets.

 

[Stonefly]

In 92 or 93, at the 1st Fly Fishing Show I picked up a net from Signature Concepts, well made light weight, sofy bag. This year I broke it, and hope to replace it at the show. Hope because they weren't there last year.

 

[rckrego]

Give these a go... https://www.adventureproducts.com/fishing.htm

Should be a happy medium between cost and quality.

 

[NJpatbee]

OK.

Other than your new net, in todays economy, name an QUALITY item that cost $14.00 ????

A decent single malt on the rocks.

 

[CTobias]

OK.

Other than your new net, in todays economy, name an QUALITY item that cost $14.00 ????

There was this video I got from a certain store before heading overseas that was under 14$. It was quality let me tell you. Haha. Wait are we talking about nets??

Heck, the replacement net I bought for my streamside net was like 20$, and that was just the mesh part! But hey, he bought an eagle claw net probably made in china by some kid for less than a 1$. The fish don't know the difference. Half the time I don't even use my net. I just put the fish in a nice pile on the bank, this way I don't catch the same one twice, then I put them back in the water when I leave. For some reason they are always floating upside down when I put them back in. Is this normal?

It's a net, and nets hurt fish. C&R nets are a gimmick to make money. As long as you like the net, who cares what everyone else thinks. Did I mention my net also has a gaff tapped to the end of it?

 

[AKSkim]

There was this video I got from a certain store before heading overseas that was under 14$. It was quality let me tell you. Haha. Wait are we talking about nets??

Heck, the replacement net I bought for my streamside net was like 20$, and that was just the mesh part! But hey, he bought an eagle claw net probably made in china by some kid for less than a 1$. The fish don't know the difference. Half the time I don't even use my net. I just put the fish in a nice pile on the bank, this way I don't catch the same one twice, then I put them back in the water when I leave. For some reason they are always floating upside down when I put them back in. Is this normal?

It's a net, and nets hurt fish. C&R nets are a gimmick to make money. As long as you like the net, who cares what everyone else thinks. Did I mention my net also has a gaff tapped to the end of it?

The mind of a Jar Head.

 

[klg neighbor]

OK.

Other than your new net, in todays economy, name a QUALITY item that cost $14.00 ????

thanks for the replies.

.......

As for the high quality for $14.....do you think every piece of expensive fishing equipment is worth the money? So much of our stuff is expensive because of the wood used to make it or the brand name or whatever....but at the end of the day...do the fish really care? People have been catching fish for a reeeaallly long time without so many of the expensive pieces of equipment we all use.

So does anyone feel like answering the question? If not, no worries.

AK drinks Corona (the beer that requires fruit to make it drinkable), so I think he is best qualified to discuss the virtues of price and quality.

 

[coolkyle]

I fished netless for years until a couple years ago I bought a decent CnR net. Since then, my catch rates have gone down. I feel like going to the water with a net and/or a camera is to assume that you are going to catch something, and is a jinx.