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Posts: 53
| I am about to purchase a net and I am trying to decide which one to get of the three. Anyone got any pro's or con's??? |
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Posts: 2753
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | RH- They all have their fan's, including good points depending on what your preferences are. I personnally use a Beckman Husky Musky (fishing by myself) and a Beckman Magnum XD PEN Fin Saver (fishing w/partner) with treated bag's. The Magnum XD PEN Fin Saver is just to big to handle while fishing alone, controlling the fish & trying to net it by yourself..... I don't think you could go to wrong with either of the three.
My pro's for the Beckman are that they have big strong hoops, strong yolks, & handles. I also want a net that can handle trophy muskies, i.e., 50" to +60". When fishing mine sit's with hoop & bag on top of my 150hp Johnson, i.e., out of the way and easy to get. The only time I take it off the motor is if I'm going to run full speed for long distances. The Husky Musky is also great for trophy pike & trophy walleyes, etc. But then I'm kinda biased as we also sell them.
Beckman also have some good net accessories, i.e, net clip (keeps the bag out of the way, yet lets the bag pop wide open when the fish hits the bag, ~1 to 2lb of pressure) Much better than rubber bands, also net covers (protects the net while traveling).
Have fun!
Al
Edited by ESOX Maniac 3/7/2006 10:26 AM
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Posts: 617
Location: Clintonville, WI | I'm going to offer up Frabill.....
Admittedly, Frabill is the only net (for musky) I have ever used or owned. With that said, Frabill has never shown me ANY reason to change brands and the nets have ALWAYS performed extremely well.
I now have the Big Kahuna model in my arsenal and also have a "smaller" Big Game model for fishing in small boats and because it is a bit easier to handle if fishing alone. The coated net bags are really nice and the new yoke system is working like a charm. IMO, both models are strong, light, and are big fish pens for release purposes. Add outstanding customer service and you've got a winner.
Al is right in his response, "they all have their fans". Honestly, I know nothing about Beckman or Stowmaster, but I have not heard any poor feedback about them. But again, I am set in my Frabill ways and for good reason.
Edited by BigMo 3/7/2006 12:39 PM
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Posts: 32892
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Another vote for Frabill. I really like the new yoke; it nearly deploys the net automatically. The company is top shelf, and the Sales Manager fishes Muskies. The marketing director fishes crappies alot, but we can't hold that against him; just being as unfriendly to the camera as his mug is, I'd not want to say anything else.
Great product, good people, and an outstanding customer service record. |
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | You can mark me down for a Frabill guy here to. I used the the Power Catch serious last season with the yoke system and it was awesome, specially not having to line the button up. Just pull and lock it in place, definitely the way to go in my opinion.
But I have not tried anything else, I guess I look at Frabill as the standard in muskie nets in my opinion. Just my .02.
T.J. DeVoe |
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Posts: 2753
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | BTW- I did notice a few folks at the Madison Fishing Expo walkin' around w/ Stowmaster's in their mitt's. Look at all three in person, then make your choice based on your personal needs & preferences. My good friend Ranger has a Frabill , and he hasn't missed any of my fish with it yet. So I can vouch that they seem to be up to the task! 
Al. |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | Frabill Big Kahuna.
In my opinion, the very best musky net on the market.
Very nice yoke, HUGE bag with the biggest "sweet" spot of any net out there, and their customer service is TOP NOTCH.
You can't go wrong with a Frabill Big Kahuna |
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Posts: 1906
Location: Oconto Falls, WI | Another vote for Frabill! I am another whom has never owned anything else as I haven't had the need to look elsewhere. I have been in a boat and netted fish with a Beckman, and I must say I do like the Frabill a whole lot more. Perhaps it was just the style of Beckman we had. The fish don't get tangled in the net with a Frabill like they did with the Beckman we had used. Nothing worse than trying to get hooks out of a fish, and get the fish out of the net when they are all wrapped up in the net. Get the coated bag Frabill, and have no worries.
This question is almost like the Chevy/Ford/Dodge debate. Personal preferance, and I am sure they all have there advantages. Take Al Warners advice, and look at all three first hand. If you can, question each rep about their products. |
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Another vote for Frabill.
Superior strength and limited lifetime warranty on the hoop, handle, and yoke, you will not find stronger components on any other model. The new Pow'r-Lok yoke is so smooth and sweet it makes handle deployment as easy as a hot knife through butter and it automatically lines up the lock pin with the detent hole.
The knotless coated bag offers value to the fish and fisherman. The smooth coating will stay pliable and supple even after years of exposure to the elements, the fish appreciate it because it doesn't wipe off their important protective slime coat and also offers protection against split fins. The larger weave in the bag allows you to thrust the net through the water with minimal effort and drag, my wife has no problems handling a Big Kahuna. The overall size of the bag on the Big Game or Kahuna serv as an excellent in-water livewell to work on the fish while keeping the head (the part that breaths) under the water.
I have used and still the Big Game, Big Kahuna, and my old Kwik-Cradle, Frabill offers a model that will fit your needs.
Buy one, buy it for life...
(Mrk tagging fish 053004.jpg)
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Posts: 56
| Both Beckman and Frabill have their pros and cons. The Beckman is light without sacraficing strength. Great is you fish alone at all. I also like their "pen" series that features the open bag design. Although Frabill for sure has the yolk down for ease of use. Have not tried the Stowmasters yet. Can't wait to put that first one in the net this season.
Lee Tauchen |
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Location: Minnesota | One site to visit FIRST www.Lokinets.com |
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Posts: 1247
Location: On the Niagara River in Buffalo, NY | Beckman Magnum Deep Finsaver Net is the one to own.It is so much lighter to handle then the Frabil and very tough as well.The best thing going for the Beckman Finsaver is its ability to be used as a holding pen in conjunction with the use of Downeast Rodholders.The Beckman handle being round will lock into the Downeast Rodholder giving you hands free ability to get the pliers and hook cutters,while the fish is in the water,captured within the confines of the net.Once the hooks are cut,lure is removed,the fish can stay upright in the water still confined inside the net as you get the camera ready for a quick lift,click and back into the holding pen.Holding your fish tail first upright,underwater,into the waves or current if present,(do not move back & forth,pulling again'st gills will drown fish),all inside the Beckman Holding Pen.Once the fish begins to fight your grasp and the little fin on the center of its back starts to move,let go of the fish,pull the net out of the rodholder,dip the rim under the water and let your fish swim home.If at anytime you loose the grasp of your fish in the revival stage,it is going no where its in the Beckman Holding Pen.Do yourself a favor before you make your purchase,go to a tackle store like Gander Mtn. that carries both brands,just lift a Frabil and then a Beckman,you will buy the Beckman I'm sure.
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