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| I am in the market for a new net. Here are the ones I am looking at:
StowMaster TS116Y (36" x 38") found one returned, in very good condition ($107.00)
Frabill Power Stow (36" x 38") #8527 Price??? Hard to find
Frabill Power Stow (40"x44") #8530 Price??? Hard to find
As you can see I want a folding net due to having a smaller 16' boat. I have read tons of StowMaster tangled net issues, but this is the net I can get the cheapest, but not cheap enough to buy a Frabile replacement net (#4666).
I currently own a Frabill Power Stow (24" x 28") and have to say I get a lot of tangled hooks when fishing for pike with this net, so I am on the fence whether the Stowmaster would be much/any worse.
Is the Frabill net really that much better and if so, why doesn't Stowmaster do something about their nets?
Oh yeah, what recommendations can everyone give for a Muskie net.
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Posts: 785
| Just my opinion but I'd stay away from a folding net. I use a Beckman fin saver in my 16' boat that has served me well tangle wise. It's not even remotely in the way. Frabill makes nets of similar size with tangle free mesh, I have 2 big kahunas that I love. I've never used a Stowmaster but the film I've seen on them didn't impress me personally. |
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Posts: 311
Location: Lake St.Clair | I just purchased a new powercatch 8425 with the tangled free netting and can already tell I will love it. We fish off a 16ft & 18ft, I can tell it will be a big net for the boat but should be fine. I was also worried about that and decided against the folding nets. Just one more thing that can go wrong.
it is most definitely a heavy duty net lol gotta be 15lbs |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | Just got a powercatch last year. I too was thinking of the stowmaster, but was seeking help here before purchasing. There was such an overwhelming response in favor of the frabill, I decided that should be the way to go. I really have enjoyed the net. Works great, tangle free and it is so nice to keep the fish safe in the water while you extract the hooks. I fish solo often and had no problem handling the net. For me, powercatch, hands down! |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | Do a search and you will see there is a bunch of good info here.
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Posts: 149
| I have the TS116. The bag was a major problem and I replaced it with the 4666. That is a very good price but I think you will be disappointed with the bag. Replacing the bag adds a lot of weight to the net if that is a concern.
I'm happy with the net with the new bag. However, I wore out two clips that hold the net open. Stowmaster sent me free ones. I drilled a hole through the frame and use a hitch pin to keep it open (their recommendation). Not a problem if you keep the net open while fishing but it would not be great if you plan to keep it stowed. |
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Posts: 627
Location: Madison, WI | Watching musky hunter this year I've noticed that Jim saric now has a Frabill bag on his stow master so that should tell you something about the quality of stow masters bag. |
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| Well thanks, you may have changed my mind regarding a folding net. As I said, I have a Power Stow and others have a difficult time opening it up when they are in a hurry.
Where do you guys keep your Powercatch or Big Kahuna while fishing on the boat? They are quite big and would seem to be in the way. |
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Posts: 1405
Location: Detroit River | There is no perfect musky net out there. You either have one with netting that wraps up the hooks but is easier through the water so a guy fishing solo can handle without problems. The nets with netting that doesn't tangle the hooks is harder to scoop through the water & makes it more difficult for a guy fishing solo to use. I have the Stowmaster TY116 & I'm happy with the net. I really like the extra long extension handle & it being able to fold up to store. I can lay the net across my boat gunnel to gunnel, which makes it nice for when I'm fishing solo & leave the fish in the net over the side. The netting on the older Stowmasters was much better for not getting hooks tangled but wasn't good for a guy to use by yourself. The longer handle also helps when fishing by yourself because I can tuck it under my arm to have a better hold on it & can reach further & not have to hold my rod up in the air to get the fish closer to the boat. I fish the Detroit River a lot by myself so having a net that I can use by myself with that heavy current is a nice thing to have even if I have to put up with an occassional hook getting tangled in the netting./p> |
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Posts: 1023
| I have the stowmaster 116.
I hate it. I also have a 16' boat.
Gonna get a frabil this spring.
Landry |
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| Landry - 2/13/2014 3:06 PM
I have the stowmaster 116.
I hate it. I also have a 16' boat.
Gonna get a frabil this spring.
Landry
Which one? |
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Posts: 785
| In the 16' bass tracker I keep my Beckman flush (upright on it's side) up against the counsel. I have the handle collapsed and I use a rod strap to keep it secure. When fishing solo I will extend the handle and keep it on the back deck. So far this net has held up great plus I beat it up lifting 52 carp with it this spring and still solid. In the 18' ranger I keep the kahuna right on the front deck with the handle collapsed and 3 can fish out of that boat with the net not being in the way. Got it in 2007 and it's still running great. Personally I like the Frabill handle design as it allows the handle to lock into the yoke more easily (great for solo fishing) but both have been excellent nets. For a 16' boat though I may scale down from the Kahuna unless you know you'll be contacting fair numbers of upper 40's and 50" class fish. |
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| I see 50's in my dreams.............
Then I wake up. |
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Posts: 785
| It'll happen for you. I guess I'm just saying a smaller Frabill will still handle a 50"er. If most your fish will be low to mid 30's though I personally wouldn't want to have to store a Kahuna in a 16' boat. |
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Posts: 284
Location: Eagan, MN | I've got the biggest Frabill that they sell after using a couple of big Beckman's seemingly forever. Man, that Frabill is a pain to stow in the boat, even though I run a Ranger 621. The net is always in the way. However, everything is a compromise. We fish in big fish waters. A fifty pounder is not out of the realm of possibility. When my boat partner hooked a 55.25 X 24 slob a couple of falls ago, that fish barely fit into our giant Frabill. I was sure glad at that moment NOT to own anything smaller. A couple years earlier, we caught a 55X22 while using the largest Beckman Fin Saver. It was harder to fit that fish in the hoop. We needed to curl her up when netting her. So, while the Frabill is a bear to stow and hard as heck to use when alone, I suppose there is more value to me in having the biggest net around when that massive giant comes wallowing up besides the boat - ease of use be darned. Brian |
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Posts: 296
| The new Drifter tackle net with the 42" wide hoop looks good. Not that heavy for its size either. $180 if I remember correctly. |
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Posts: 785
| I'm somewhat surprised in a 621 you're not able to just lay it flat on the floor or on the front casting deck... at least with the handle collapsed. Otherwise yeah you almost have to hang it on the outboard or something. |
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Posts: 10
| I like the drifter nets as well. Took a look at them during the Chicago show. Very nice! |
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Posts: 53
| danmuskyman - 2/12/2014 5:51 PM
Watching musky hunter this year I've noticed that Jim saric now has a Frabill bag on his stow master so that should tell you something about the quality of stow masters bag.
I have the stow master 116 too and also noticed that said has a different netting material on his hoop than I do. There is still a stow aster tag on that netting though from what I've seen on the show, not a frabill tag. I can't find an info on that stowmaster netting though, so figured it was a stowmaster prototype or something.
I haven't had too many issues with my netting and tangles, but I did have one fish get the hooks pretty well tangled in it. Looking to upgrade to th frabill bag because I really like the hoop size and how easy it is to transport. |
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| I am considering the Frabill Powercatch Big Game . The only thing holding me back is the 48" handle. I was thinking of a telescoping (longer) handle. Anyone have issues with a 48" handle? |
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Posts: 133
| I have no problem with my 48" handle, a bit short but easy to have extended and ready with the 16 foot boat. |
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| Can someone answer a couple of Frabill net questions for me?:
1.) To me it looks like the "Big Kahuna" and the "Big Game" come with a flat bottom net. Is this a better net than the other "power Catch" nets?
2). Is this (flat bottom) net preferred for catch and release to protect the muskie?
3). The replacement net for these are #4666, is this also a flat bottom net.
I've called around to a few retailers and no one knew the answers to these questions. I also contacted Frabill with no answer yet.
Thanks |
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Posts: 785
| I love the flat bottom net. It allows the fish to chill in the net very comfortably while you get tools or the camera ready. They allow for maximum room in the bag for the fish because they stay full width all the way to the bottom rather then narrowing towards the bottom. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | I've had a Frabill Powercatch Big Game for years and have always been happy with it. Have had fish up to 49" in it and they fit ok. At times I think the Big Kahuna would be nice but probably heavy for when I'm alone. The netting seems pretty fish friendly and is very tangle free.
I have a 16' Alumacrafy Navigator and leave it on it's side (not laying flat). I butt it up against one of the side tanks and set my Lakewood next to it to keep it from tipping over. Really doesn't get in the way at all. Have to be a little aware of it on the backcast but it's never been a problem for me. I leave the handle extended and ready to go.
You'd have a hard time giving me a net that collapses. Sometimes net jobs can happen pretty fast.
Tucker |
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Posts: 38
| Frabill Powercatch Big Game for me as well. It takes up some room in a 16 footer but first time out with it we put a 48"er in it. I decided right then it was the perfect sized net. I can set the frame on the gunnels and work on the fish in the bag while it's in the water. |
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Posts: 627
Location: Madison, WI | ChiefFan08 - 2/15/2014 6:58 AM
danmuskyman - 2/12/2014 5:51 PM
Watching musky hunter this year I've noticed that Jim saric now has a Frabill bag on his stow master so that should tell you something about the quality of stow masters bag.
I have the stow master 116 too and also noticed that said has a different netting material on his hoop than I do. There is still a stow aster tag on that netting though from what I've seen on the show, not a frabill tag. I can't find an info on that stowmaster netting though, so figured it was a stowmaster prototype or something.
I haven't had too many issues with my netting and tangles, but I did have one fish get the hooks pretty well tangled in it. Looking to upgrade to th frabill bag because I really like the hoop size and how easy it is to transport.
That's definitely a Frabill bag. I'm sure he made sure to get that stowmaster tag back on as it's been a sponsor for him for years. |
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Location: Sawyer County, WI | ChiefFan08 - 2/15/2014 6:58 AM
danmuskyman - 2/12/2014 5:51 PM
Watching musky hunter this year I've noticed that Jim saric now has a Frabill bag on his stow master so that should tell you something about the quality of stow masters bag.
I have the stow master 116 too and also noticed that said has a different netting material on his hoop than I do. There is still a stow aster tag on that netting though from what I've seen on the show, not a frabill tag...
StowMaster is a show sponsor, that's why you see the StowMaster tag. |
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Posts: 42
Location: Shoepack | I suggest getting the biggest net possible since the "one that got away" will haunt you if it jumps out of your net. I have a stowmaster. It has worked fine for me. |
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Posts: 68
| Anyone ever use a Ranger landing net , just wondering if they are any good. |
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Location: Western PA | Stowmaster 116 has worked great for me for years. No problems. No catastrophic tangles. Yes hooks get more wrapped in them than the Frabill bags but its nothing that will cost you more than a few seconds. If I were the original poster I would absolutely go for the Stowmaster at that cheaper price. |
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