my suggestion for all people who use landing nets

[bigredbobber]

it's payback time. I ask a lot of questions, so here's giving something back.

Hopefully, everyone can use this tip and save their net when the time comes.


Ok, if you have a hollow metal handled landing net (Frabill, etc), this works, wooden handles don't need the help.

1. find some old thick styrofoam, like left-over packaging for stereos, toys, computer equipment, etc. an old busted styrofoam ice chest is perfect for this.

2. pop off the cap of the handle

3. shove the open end of the handle into the styrofoam while twisting down at the same time

4. use an old dowel, rebar or something to shove the styrofoam down to the bottom inside the handle

5. repeat until the handle is packed tight with styrofoam all the way up to the opening where the cap goes on

6. tap the cap back on with your hand or a mallet

7. go fishing

8. catch fish


I've done this to all my nets since I figured out this trick. No extra external float is needed and your net stays at the surface so you can grab it.

Add a little reflective tape ( I use safety orange) and you can't miss it floating in the water.

If your net is very heavy, test it first in shallow water so you know it floats.

[Branch_Office]

Thanks for the tip, now can you share on how to fill that net up with some fish?

[bigredbobber]

These days, Branch, there is NO easy way. If it wasn't closed, I could just about write you a guarantee that you'd have a heavy stringer by noon down on the beach.

[Hobie1Kenobie]

Very nice. I know what I am gonna do today.

[Reel Rebel]

I, by mistake, bought a Frabill with too short a handle. Took the rubber grip off and lengthened with PVC...it's a floater now...

[Mung]

Another suggestion, learned the hard way: DO NOT use one of those wooden trout nets you find at Academy. The limp cottonlike string gets hung in treble hooks so badly that you have to cut them out. A net needs to have the thicker nylon string for saltwater fishing.

[bigredbobber]

Ya, Mung, I got suckered into buying one for a couple of dollars one day. Looked like a good idea for the canoe since it was small and deep, BUT... as you said....

Nice riggin' RR. I'm all about making things better.

[fishtaco]

F nylon, rubber all the way

[revredfish]

I have one of the short Frabil "redfish" nets. I've just added a ring of pool noodle around the base of the net for flotation - works fine.

Also those nets are supposed to be "hook proof" yeah right. but they are easier to work loose. Haven't tried one of those rubber nets but I suspect they fall apart after a year or two.

[fishtaco]

Mine is holding up alright after 2 years, it's a medium handled rubber Frabill. I had to add a few zipties to the bottom where I had developed a hole, but it still works. It is definitely hook proof BTW.

[Where Y'ak?]

I've had my rubber net for a few years and it's holding up fine. I keep it stored in the garage. I added flotation inside the handle like was mentioned above. I also have a small pool-noodle doughnut at the top. (The pic was before I added flotation to the handle, now I use a much smaller piece of noodle) This adds a little extra flotation and visibility.

The net is a little heavier than nylon nets, but I throw a lot of lures with treble hooks and wouldn't use any other kind.

[Paulup]

Where Y'ak?

You need to get some accessories for that boat man, way too much open deck space there...

[Where Y'ak?]

That's why I had to get out--no room for me!

[bigredbobber]

starting to get kayak envy.

coated nylon net is my personal choice, that is if I don't just flip the fish into the canoe (bad stinkpot habit).

[papawd]

rubber nets and pool noodle, yet another use for pool noodles they also work well if shaped to fit on handle of rods so they float also, it will make Ya sick if loose a rod & reel when it coulda floated for about $1.00