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Posts: 21
Location: Harrisburg, PA | I suspect my Frabril 9510 is too small for musky fishing at 20' x 23", so I am looking for something bigger.
Is there something out there that is big enough but can still be handled fishing by myself? The ability to collapse while not being used would be a plus. |
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Posts: 416
Location: Madtown, WI | I like the Frabill Conservation Series 9530, very light and ideal when solo. |
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Posts: 1188
| Several years ago, I was looking for a better net for solo fishing, since that is about 98% of my fishing. I wasn't finding much that didn't have some aspect that I didn't like. Found myself in the bargain cave at a Cabela's, and they had a Cabela's branded net that was about the right size. Handle wasn't super long, and hoop is 30 X 32, if I remember correctly. The yolk where you push the button to slide the handle up for storage, had "Frabil" stamped into it, so it was made by them for Cabela's. Had an absolutely crappy bag. Don't really know what the target species was for this net, maybe salmon or something. I got a Beckman Fin-saver bag for it, and it is perfect for me by my self and only cost $30 plus the new bag. If you don't find the net that has exactly what you're looking for, might be able to find the right frame, and put a different bag on it. |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | love my Beckman 3446c and I understand they are available again . I have a big Kahuna that is heavy without a fish gota have a netman hopefully one that works out regularly. |
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Posts: 21
Location: Harrisburg, PA | stdevos - 9/2/2020 4:40 PM
I like the Frabill Conservation Series 9530, very light and ideal when solo.
My Frabril 9510 is the Conservation Series and I do find it easy to use. I am sure the 9530 is easy to use also and it is probably what I will get. How is using that net for other, smaller species?
Can anyone give an opinion on the Stowmaster nets? It would be nice to have one that folds so it takes up less space when not in use. |
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Posts: 2280
Location: Chisholm, MN | stdevos - 9/2/2020 3:40 PM
I like the Frabill Conservation Series 9530, very light and ideal when solo.
Great net. I would suggest this one. |
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Posts: 416
Location: Madtown, WI | zelmo - 9/4/2020 6:44 AM stdevos - 9/2/2020 4:40 PM I like the Frabill Conservation Series 9530, very light and ideal when solo. My Frabril 9510 is the Conservation Series and I do find it easy to use. I am sure the 9530 is easy to use also and it is probably what I will get. How is using that net for other, smaller species? Can anyone give an opinion on the Stowmaster nets? It would be nice to have one that folds so it takes up less space when not in use. I have zero experience with "other species" 
I'd assume it's a bit deep for anything small. |
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Posts: 17
| Hopefully not hijacking this thread - just had a quick question for you. I recently purchased a Frabill power stow with a 30" x 32" hoop (50" depth). From what I understand, the supplied bag is kinda crappy and most guys replace it. I can't find bags in that exact size from Beckman, but they do have a 31" x 36" with 50" depth. Would that work? I am 100% fishing from shore or wading. |
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Posts: 408
Location: MN | ^ I use a Frabill 4666 bag on a Stowmaster net of that hoop size. Works great! I wouldn't be worried about going a bit larger (4666 is for a 32x41 hoop). |
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Posts: 17
| Thanks, nar! |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | If you fish solo, your statement about having it folded 'when not in use' is troubling. I don't launch my boat until I have my net deployed and ready to use!
My Power Catch rig was too heavy so I put the bag on a Cummins net frame; it is aluminum and very light. m |
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Posts: 21
Location: Harrisburg, PA | mikie - 9/9/2020 1:18 PM
If you fish solo, your statement about having it folded 'when not in use' is troubling. I don't launch my boat until I have my net deployed and ready to use!
My Power Catch rig was too heavy so I put the bag on a Cummins net frame; it is aluminum and very light. m
There’s no need to have the net ready to go if you aren’t fishing.
Are the Stowmaster nets too difficult to use solo? |
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Posts: 21
Location: Harrisburg, PA | I will need to pull the trigger on the net soon. I have narrowed it down to the Frabill Conservation Series 9530 or the StowMaster TS116Y. I know that the Frabill will work but the folding feature of the StowMaster is appealing. Can the StowMaster be used solo? |
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Posts: 2280
Location: Chisholm, MN | zelmo - 10/12/2020 11:22 AM
I will need to pull the trigger on the net soon. I have narrowed it down to the Frabill Conservation Series 9530 or the StowMaster TS116Y. I know that the Frabill will work but the folding feature of the StowMaster is appealing. Can the StowMaster be used solo?
Yes. I use a heavier net than either one by myself and I know people who use even bigger ones. It should not be a problem unless you're a 14 year old kid. |
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Posts: 186
| I recently bought the ranger tournament 30-34" hoop 24" deep coated net for bank fishing. It is a nice and somewhat light net for working by yourself if that helps any. You can find them under $100 |
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Posts: 426
Location: Perryville, MO | I use the large Stowmaster solo fishing (even has the "double-dipped" netting). I use the rail of the boat as a fulcrum. I suppose there are better (lighter) nets to use, but I love the huge bag. Not only for handling fish after the catch, but I think the large target makes the job easier. Regardless of the net you choose, you will still be guiding the fish into the bag one-handed. Works for me anyway. |
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Posts: 21
Location: Harrisburg, PA | Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.
hawkeye9 - 10/12/2020 6:08 PM
I use the large Stowmaster solo fishing (even has the "double-dipped" netting). I use the rail of the boat as a fulcrum. I suppose there are better (lighter) nets to use, but I love the huge bag. Not only for handling fish after the catch, but I think the large target makes the job easier. Regardless of the net you choose, you will still be guiding the fish into the bag one-handed. Works for me anyway.
This comment about using the boat rail as a fulcrum and guiding the fish into the net has me rethinking this. Something I don't want to have happen is for hooks to get snagged in the net and the solo friendly nets seem to have that problem according to some. Maybe I should just get the Big Kahuna and learn to use it. |
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Posts: 21
Location: Harrisburg, PA | Hopefully this is my last question on this topic.
There are many complaints about the net on the StowMaster. Does the Frabill 9530 have the same problem of hooks getting snagged in it? |
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Posts: 4
| Yeah i have had problems with the stowmaster bag getting absolutely tangled to death, so bad that i actually had to cut the bag to safely get the fish out. I had a nice beckman that i loved but had a fish pushing fifty rip a hole in it and escaped the net before i got a bump 
Since then I'm rocking a drifter tackle net with a jig ripper attached to it. Its a game changer for solo fishing in my opinion. Gives you extra leverage lifting up with the solo one handed scoop. |
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Posts: 200
| Muskyrookie - 10/12/2020 11:39 AM
I recently bought the ranger tournament 30-34" hoop 24" deep coated net for bank fishing. It is a nice and somewhat light net for working by yourself if that helps any. You can find them under $100
I just bought that same net for $70 out the door. Wanted the get the predator xl, but everyone is out of stock. Did you find the 24” depth to be adequate? |
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Posts: 4
| I have the dr9fter xl and it is heavy for one person. If I could do it over, I would get the drifter large because I do a lot of solo fishing. |
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