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Posts: 74
Location: MIlton Ontario Canada | Alright guys I just want everyone opinions on the best landing net to buy.
I am going with Frabill, Beckman or Stowmaster.
If anyone can give pros and cons for the nets they have used that would be great.
Matt |
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| Stowmaster.... hands down!
An awesome net.
No downside, what so ever. |
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Posts: 20
Location: Indiana | stowmaster |
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| FRABILL QUICK CRADLE NET!!! THE BEST OF ALL WORLDS!!! |
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Posts: 4266
| FRABILL
The new yoke system and the extruded frame make it the srongest, easiest to deploy net that I've ever used. Big treated bag. Triangular handle so there's no twisting to "fish for the hole" to lock it in place.
Frabill gets my vote when it comes to nets for any species.
Beaver |
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| I really like the new Frabill Powercatch with the new Pow 'R Lok yoke. One hand deploy. Knotless, coated net. All in all, the best net I've ever used! |
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Posts: 814
| FRABILL has my vote also just purchased mine this year and the yoke system was the deciding factor awesome well thought design! |
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Matt,
I would suggest looking at Frabill's new Power Catch series with PowR Lok feature. The newly designed yoke allows for super-smooth one hand deployment of the handle. Frabill offers a limited lifetime warranty on the yoke AND hoop. The hoop is made from virtually indestructable extruded and hard anodized aluminum. The handle on the Power Catch series is always lined up with the yoke, no twisting and turning and with the new PowR Lok yoke you don't even need to push the little button, just pull the handle back and it locks in place automatically.
Frabills knotless coated bags are fish friendly and offer squared bottoms on the bag making for a nice in-water livewell to work on your fish.
I've been using the Big Kahuna model and absolutely love it. The Big Game model works very well also and there is the Pro Formance line that is a more economical choice but still offers the PowR Lok yoke and Frabill fish friendly bags. |
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| Beckman all the way!! |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I am a Frabill man myself. The HUGE bags are awesome and the rubberized nets are not hard and rough like others.
You can't go wrong with a Frabill. |
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| Gotta go with the Frabill on this one. Like Beav said, the new locking system makes it easy to deploy, even by yourself. Hulbert added the big bag size, makes working on landed fish a breeze with the ability to keep the fish's head submerged during the process. Tons of room.
Have yet to find any 'cons'.
J.Sloan
Badfish Outdoors |
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Posts: 184
| Y ou definitely have my vote for Frabil. I had used Beckman's for several years before, and was turned off by the rubber coating they switched to. It seemed as rough as an SOS pad. Also, I measure almost all of my fish in the net with a floating ruler, and you can' t get the ruler through the finer mesh of the new fin saver nets they came out with.
I switched to Frabill then, and will never quit using my Big Kahuna. By far the finest net made, knotlesss mesh bags with heavy duty rubber coating so your hooks won't penetrate. Also, the new PowR Lok yoke is awesome for pulling the handle out and not having to worry about pulling the handle all the way out. It locks in on its own. More expensive, yes, but worth every penny!!
Chad |
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Posts: 2112
Location: The Sportsman, home, or out on the water | I vote for Frabill Big K. Best net yet. HOWEVER, I (more so Double J) had a hard time deploying any net I've ever owned, due to the net snagging on EVERYTHING that it is able to snag on. So, what i did, was I took some left over carpeting from when I re-did the boat, folded it up to make a sock for the net, and sewed it up with some superline and a needle. I also sewed a loop of web on the bottom of it. Now, when I (again, more so Double J) goes to get it, you step on the loop of web just before you are ready to net the fish, pull the net out of the sock, and Walla, no snagged up net when the fish is boatside. |
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| Bought the New Frabil with the new locking system at the show this year. Haven't used it yet but it felt pretty good twirling it around pretending while I was in my boat in the garage a few weekends ago... Really like that slide in locking system. |
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | Frabill Big Kahuna. It has the best of all worlds. Easy for the fisherman with the power lock yoke and a huge sweet spot. Easy on the fish with the huge coated bag. You can swallow fish up in this thing, and they are very easy on the fins. |
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Posts: 2089
| This summer at Nelson's Choice in Rhinelander, we put 3 of our kids in the Big Kahuna, ages 9,9 and 7.Pretty amazing.Chuck and I laughed out loud.Big net for big fish and built very well.I used another brand for a lot of years, but this year it's a Kahuna in my boat.A few BIG fish in Mn.. Steve |
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Posts: 1438
| I'll go with Frabill as well.
I just got mine this winter but the handle lock was one of the deciding factors.
Besides, a lot of the pros I know use Frabill and they always catch fish....(I am just kidding).
Scott |
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Posts: 11
Location: Albert Lea, MN | Did anybody see last weeks In-Fisherman. Stange pulled in a 120# alagator gar using the StowMaster TS116Y. There was plenty of room in the bag. What a fish, and it was very entertaining watching them try to unhook the fish as it snapped at them.
BTW, Frabill makes nice products but StowMaster introduced the Auto-Latch Yoke system three years ago.
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Posts: 686
Location: Tomahawk, Wisconsin | I have a Beckman that I've had for years, the new Frabill looks like a really nice setup with the new yoke lock design, toss a coin but the Frabill seems like a winner. |
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Posts: 699
Location: Hugo, MN |
NEW FRABILL with the Pow'r Lock system Plus the nets are Huge!! |
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Posts: 132
Location: Kawarthas, Ontario | I have 2 Beckmans... one is Pro Magnum with a traditional rubberized mesh bag that is about 52" deep. The other is Pro Magnum Pen Finsaver. They both use the same hoop and yoke system, which seems plenty strong enough. The Pen is preferred, as the smaller mesh on the sides significantly reduces fin splitting and baits that become badly tangled. The Pen is not as deep... maybe 44". The diamond shaped bottom keeps the bag open, and literally turns the net into a big corral. The Pen is quite a bit heavier than the older conventional mesh due to the smaller mesh. It is not the easiest to operate solo, but is doable once you get your technique down. I'm very happy with how this net has performed year round.
One of the other things that I like about the round handle on the Beckman, is that the handle fits neatly into my Scotty Striker rod holders, which is a godsend when I need an "extra hand" when fishing alone.
That being said, I have seen the older Frabill Kwik Cradle. It is definitely a solidly built and effective tool. If I had to go and buy a new net (although I'd likely just replace the bag on the older Beckman and convert it to a Finsaver Pen as well), I'd probably take a close look at this one.
Regards,
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| Beckman's float, Frabill's don't.
How may nets do you plan on buying over the next 5 years???? |
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Location: Contrarian Island | I personally like the Beckmans
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Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | treats,
What are you doing throwing your net in the water?
hehehehe  |
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Posts: 699
Location: Hugo, MN | They all Float when you put foam in the handle Treats . . . |
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| Marine 1 - have you put foam into the handle on a Frabil? I thought about this but 1) Wasn't sure it would work and 2) Didn't know if the pressure of the foam coming out would be able to push foam all the way to the other end of the handle and if it would be enough to make it float... |
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | Treats,
When your partner tells you to put the net in the water you are still allowed to hold onto the handle!  |
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Posts: 156
Location: Oconomowoc, WI | I've had the Beckman Magnum FinSaver, loved it. Bought into the Frabill Big Kahuna hype, like it. But, I will purchase the Beckman again before the season. My personal opinions... Beckman is lighter, a little smaller, feels tighter in the yoke(doesn't wiggle as much), moves better in the water, fits better in the boat.
You really can't go wrong with either one, both function excellent for what they are designed.
I've looked at the Stowmaster on two separate occasions. In my opinion, great concept, but too much work to deploy and stow. Last time that I looked at it it took myself and 3 muskyshop employees several minutes to open and close. I thought it was just me. Maybe not? I'm sure several use them and they perform flawlessly, it just scared me away. |
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Posts: 699
Location: Hugo, MN | Esox,
Buy some Great Stuff (I think that's what it's called) go to your local Ace and ask for foam in a can they'll get you where you need to be. Then buy some tubing put the Tubing all of the way down the shaft and fill slowly. Make sure you are #1 Outside #2 Away from anything you don't want to ruin and lastly make CERTAIN you have plenty of rags and Gojo at the ready. I've got a Beckman and a Frabill did them both the First one was a mess the second one was much smoother. It takes between 30-60 minutes to do it right. |
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Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut | I like Ford. No wait - Chevy; but I own a Dodge... 
My advice would be to find a retailer (or show) where you can see all three and buy the one that best suits YOUR needs. Then go out and get it all slimed up!
I own a Frabil Power Catch and am very happy with it, but it's the only big net I've ever owned, so I really don't have a good basis for comparison.
K.
Edited by sorenson 2/9/2005 11:57 AM
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Posts: 31
| I vote for the beckman finsaver extra deep. I am very happy with this net and would highly recommend it. Very fish friendly and I have no problems using it solo. Whatever you buy, get the deepest bag you can.
Jason Malone |
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Posts: 74
Location: MIlton Ontario Canada | Hey guys
Just wnated to say thank you for all the positve feedback. I am going to look at nets this afternoon. Fishing season doesn't start for 5 months up here but I sitll need a net asap. lol
Matt |
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Posts: 938
Location: NeverNever Lake | The one that "closes the deal" on that fish of a lifetime! |
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| The Stowmaster gets by vote. All three make great nets, and I have owned them all. The Stowmaster folds up and you can put it anywhere. The undo and redo of the folding is very easy. I have had many "first time users" in the boat to net a fish. They had no trouble at all. Just don't force it, and it's fine. Have someone who owns one walk you thru the process, very easy.
All three have similar attributes, but the Stowmaster can be folded up, bagged, and stored out of your way. The mesh will never catch on anything when pulling it out. It's a no brainer, this will be my second year with one and I love it. You'll be happy.
Jason |
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| I have used a stowmaster for the last 3 years.There have been over 250 muskies from 8 pounds to 40 pounds in the net with no complaints from clients or fishing partners. The netting is not hard on the fish because of the rubber coating. Also the nettings holes are small so it is hard for a muskie or small pike to get get the edges of its mouth,lips and teeth caught in it. The treatment on the netting also keep hookpoits from getting caught in it. Which saves you time and less stress on the fish.
The TS116Y is the one I don`t leave home without. The people at stowmaster care about the fish and the fishermen. And they listen when someone has a problem. It is the best net I have used by far. |
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Best Landing Net