Conservation style net options??

[btomlin]

I ended up ordering the net that I asked about in the above post after speaking to the owner of Ranger nets. He assured me the net was built "overkilled", so I decided to "take a chance". The net arrived today and my 1st impression was yes....it is built heavy duty. The netting has bigger holes than I hoped but should still be ok. the hoop diameter appears to be XL compared to my other nets and it folds up nicely just like in the pics.

Just thought I would let others know....I'll try to post more info as I use it.

It's got a nice "made in USA" sticker on it as well!!!!!

[Lund1993]

I just bought the ego slider s2 and i will try it out this weekend. I liked it because it was heavier duty than the frabill and a few bucks less and handle slides open alot easier. I will report back how it does this weekend at Mille Lacs.

[1860Angler]

Originally Posted by Lund1993

I just bought the ego slider s2 and i will try it out this weekend. I liked it because it was heavier duty than the frabill and a few bucks less and handle slides open alot easier. I will report back how it does this weekend at Mille Lacs.

One of my fishing buddies bought one of those last September and already had to send it in because the gears stripped out in the slider mechanism. I would suggest minimizing the number of times you extend and retract, we always did it for every fish, not anymore!!

I have had great luck with Frabill nets.

[Lund1993]

Thanks for the advice I thought I saw on their website that they just came out in April 2012. Maybe they redesigned it.

[Wyn]

Ego changed some of their design for this year, making the nets more durable. I had an Ego and really loved it until my kids used it as a trampoline (laid it across the boat compartments and bounced on the middle). I bought the conservation net from Frabil and also couldn't be happier. For durability I actually think the Frabil wins by a mile.....but I had last years Ego and know they increased their durability with this years model so it may not be a fair comparison. I also have a 2nd net, a stowmaster that seems to have a lot of drag through the water and is heavier overall.....it does stow nice though, lol.

[Lund1993]

Used the ego for the first time today netted a 27" monster so far so good. (Unfortunately not mine)

[RyanK1]

I bought an Ego net two years ago. Love the idea and the fact that it floats and stores away easy. The only thing you shouldn't do is lift multiple 26"-30" fish in with the net extended within a short period of time. Tobin sure was bad on that net . I suggest netting large fish with it extended and then while still in the water retract the net in toward you before lifting it in. Solved my problems! I checked out the new Ego's and they are a lot smoother and feel stronger so I might have to pick one up.

I also have a Beckman but that usually stays at home. The ego is just easier to use.

[Lund1993]

I have the newer version supposed to be able to net a 20lb fish fully extended. I have the shorter version of the two. The longer of the two can only net a 8lb fish fully extended.