Landing Nets

[BRS1]

I need to pick up a good net and have been referred to the Frabill or Beckman nets.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

[s.f.]

there is no such thing as too long or too big. and two or more nets in the boat, sooner or later, will save you from a frantic situation that, with one net, usually ends up in 'the big one gotta away' story. coated, small mesh is easiest to work with also.
one of the best 'fish stories' i ever heard was when i asked a guy at the ramp how fishing was. he said "they bit so good we never took the net out of the water".
s.f.

[Den]

In my own opinion, after owning and selling many different brands, i now have a Beckman net, and i am sorry that i didnt spend the extra money when i got my first good net. they are a little pricy, but they are also the best, and worth every cent. good luck and good fishin.
Den

[spikehorn]

If you are looking for a good net Cumings Nets are hard to beat they make a large variety of size's and style's. If you can't find them local, give the Fishing Tackle Grab Bag a call at 810-653-4771 or e-mail them at www.fishingtacklegrabbag.com. They carry a full line and will get it shipped out to you very quick.

[Juls_WI]

I have to second Steve's thoughts on having two nets in the boat. Here's why..... My Pro partner, Jason Pzrkurat, and I were fishing the inaugural RCL Championship in Green Bay on day two, and we had a double on. If it weren't for having two nets in the boat, we never would have gotten the second fish in, because the first fish had tangled the hooks and his face in the net. We wouldn't have been able to get the hooks and fish untangled in time to get the second fish (note: the hooks weren't stuck in the net...the lure and fish's face were tangled)! If we would have missed that second fish, there wouldn't have been time to make another pass to try for another.

Having two nets in the boat that day helped us get the second biggest weight of the tournament!

I'll always have two nets in the boat now...;-)

I also agree with Den, and feel the Beckman nets are the best on the market, and worth every penny. Their lightweight and easy to handle. The coated bag helps keep the hooks from getting stuck in the net, and that keeps you fishing!

You can view the walleye series of Beckman Nets at http://www.beckmannet.com/walleyenet.htm

I have used the Frabill net too, and I think they are nice nets also. But, I feel the Beckman net is easier to use, and a better quality net than the Frabill. Just my opinion...nothing more.


Juls

[Wallygater]

I own two nets one for walleyes, and one for muskies and they are both Beckman nets. From what I have seen they are the best. My $.02 is to buy the net with the rubber coating. You will be fishing more and spend less time getting the hooks out of your net.

[ETT]

Juls,
An other advantage to Beckman's nets is they are super strong. Trolling multi-line setups while chartering we often have to put more than 1 fish in the net at a time. We've had over 19 pounds of walleye in big walleye net, and the handle and loop where strange enough to deal with the situation. I'm sure some of our customers have became Beckman owners because of the abuse they saw the net survive.

[hammertime]

tried the link to the grab bag and they dont have anything on there to buy, too bad. i just live 30 mi,s from there and want to buy somthing.

[Larry]

I think for the money end of it ,the Frabill wins hands down!

[Den]

Larry, i had a frabill musky net, it landed 18 musky, and then the bag got tore, and weakened. none of the fish were over 20 pounds, most were around 13 to 17 pounds. i purchased a beckman bag, and have landed over 50 musky in it, and it is still like the day i bought it. the year i started using a beckman walleye net, and i would hate to say how many eyes have been landed in it, and it too is just like new. like i said, i sell tackle, and i do use what i sell, and i have availability to all brands. i try not to be partial on this board, but why buy 2 or 3 of something, when you can make 1 good purchase and be happy, and not need to buy another for a long time. good luck and good fishin.
Just my opinion, based on my experiences.
Den

[eyeman]

I've had both the Frabill and the Beckman and I can tell you that the Beckman is far superior! I have the Pro-Walleye model and have found it great for any walleye that swims and I also use it on Salmon on Lake MI. Never a problem - the yoke is welded and solid steel - virtually unbreakable, and it's never too big, in fact sometimes it's a bit small for salmon but I don't think there is one net for all species. I have the telescoping handle and while it takes up some room in the boat it's never too long on a big fish in big waves. Get the hookproff netting too!

[Mattman]

I'll put my vote for Beckman in now. Great net! Yes they are pricey, but they are an awesome net. I have their Steelhead net and a Walleye series net. I'm hoping Santa will bring me a Muskie series. If not, I'm going to be ordering one before the opener!


Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[SLIPKNOT]

Go to dakotamart.com and order a fishing catalog. You can get a loki net rubber coated 8 ft handle for $30. My brother has a beckman and the bag went to ##### after 3 years of use. Not very impressive. Not saying beckman is a bad net, but for the money do I think it is worth it? No way. You can get 3 loki's for the price of one beckman. Just my $.02

[Marlbe Eyes]

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[s.f.]

loki nets are just fine. loki has been a good company to have supporting tournament fishermen.
s.f

[FreeByrd]

Yep - Beckman is the way to go. I bought the Walleye Super Magnum this spring and it is great. I've done the multiple walleye in one net trick too (believe it or not sometimes I actually catch more than one fish on a trip), but that is child's play compared to seeing Frank net two teenage salmon in one net up on Lake Ontario this spring. Don't know what kind of net he had but it was EXCITING...
Steve

[Kelly]

Frabill is my net of choice. To me the the Beckman is just to heavy when extended trying to land a big Walleye on a twelve foot snell. The Frabill is every bit as good of quality at half the price. I also own a Beckman, it hangs on my garage wall. There both good, I like the Frabill better.

[FJH1]

Hey Brian, glad you were able to get the motor fixed. Went to Green Bay yesterday and watched the Packers whup up on the Bears. We had an awesome time - 6th row end zone seats, not bad.

Ok, for the net I have a combo deal that I set up. I've found the Beckman's to be pretty heavy. I took a Frabil Scooper (I think they make the Bass Pro Stalkers) added the telescopic handle and a Beckman net (get the coated version). I love the set-up and have been using if for many years.

Best Regards,

Jamie

[Beckman]

Beckman!

[BRS1]

Jamie,

Thanks for the info.

I think from all the posts (Thanks again to all for the time.) I am going to do the Beckman and pick up a Loki as a second. If I find the Beckman to be to heavy, I will try your method to lighten it up.

We went to the Butte on Sunday for Striper and after a full day of nothing (2 white bass ~14") we hooked into a big one. It ran 300 hundred feet of line out before it quit running. 15 minutes later we landed it (~18#'s) and called it a day. (Is it PC to talk about other fish on the site?)

I need some advice on lights for the boat. Any help? I was going to rig up some of my old bike halogens with their own battery kit.

Brian

[RANGER]

Brian,

Re-post this as a new question for the board so it doesn't get lost in all these "net" threads. BTW what type of lights, interior, livewell, exterior (spots), etc.

[BRS1]

Spot lights.

Thanks,

Brian

[Jim Carroll]

My vote goes to the Loki. Their net bags are better than Beckman's although I find their handles to be of lesser quality.

What we need are Loki bags on Beckman's handles...

[Grey Wolf]

I like my Loki. I think I spen $50 bucks on it. Plastic coated bag, cranks don't get hung up in it. I have scooped two Walleyes over 20" at once without a problem. Jy only complaint is the textured handle puts nice marks in a white glass boat when your partners drags the handle across the gunnel. They can be waxed out however.

[Dave in Mpls]

My vote goes to Beckman. I have both a Walleye Special WSY-400 I use on the river while jig fishing, as well as a Pro Walleye for use with rigging and trolling (my typical methods on Mille Lacs). I've had these nets for three plus years and am very happy with both. In addition, the folks at Beckman are a pleasure do deal with, should you require service (getting bags redipped, replacing lost extension handles, etc) I'm not saying any of the others won't do the job...I'm just happy with my Beckmans.

Regards

[BRS1]

Thanks Dave,

Anyone who can give Jamie as hard of a time as you do has my respect and admiration.

Brian

[Dave in Mpls]

I do what I can do :)

Regards

[FJH1]

What are gunna do now, try to shine for Albuquerque 'eyes? I take it that you were getting off the lake late and couldn't see a thing? I have a spot light that plugs into my 12v power outlet, but I only use it on the Willow Flowage to negotiate stumps at night. Honestly, when you're on the water, lighting has very little effectiveness (for me anyway :-)). For me it's tough to define things and gauge distances with the halo of light around the boat. I prefer to use the GPS and let my eyes adjust to the night. You might look into a mapping GPS (i'll spend your money for ya ;-)).

Best Regards,

Jamie