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Posts: 546
Location: MN | In the market for a new musky net and I am looking for advice. I searched around the site, but couldn't seem to find a thread on this topic, so here it goes.
I am looking for a net that will handle big fish and be easy on them as well, but manageable for 1 guy fishing alone. (I'm 6'3" 205lb if that means anything for your opinion of "manageable.") I prefer a coated net to protect the fins of the fish. I do like the Stowmaster, but $200 is too steep for me. I am open to all suggestion, pros and cons.
-Matt |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Frabill, all the way. Look over the available sizes and pick the one that fits you. |
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Posts: 1184
Location: Iowa Great Lakes | What Steve said X10 |
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Posts: 287
Location: Oconomowoc, WI | I would suggest a Frabill as well. If you're really looking for something to use while you're alone, the new Conservation Series 9530 might be the right net. It's very light compared to the Power Catch, which would by my other suggestion. The the 9530's bag probably isn't as durable, but the difference in weight makes it easier to manage. Both nets come in well under $200. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | Another vote for Frabill. I have their Powercatch Big Game(8425). It's one size smaller than the biggest "Big Kahuna." They are a heavier net but built solid and I think a lot of the weight comes from the well coated heavy duty bag. I'm only about 5'8" 170 and I handle it without any trouble while fishing alone. Seems to treat fish well and I never get the big rats nest of net and hooks when they roll like nets with more fine mesh do. So far I've had fish up to 48" in it and it's handled everything well. If I ever needed a new net I wouldn't think twice about getting another. |
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Posts: 415
Location: madison wisconsin | Frabill, frabill, frabill |
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Posts: 546
Location: MN | curleytail - 4/30/2012 9:51 PM
Another vote for Frabill. I have their Powercatch Big Game(8425). It's one size smaller than the biggest "Big Kahuna." They are a heavier net but built solid and I think a lot of the weight comes from the well coated heavy duty bag. I'm only about 5'8" 170 and I handle it without any trouble while fishing alone. Seems to treat fish well and I never get the big rats nest of net and hooks when they roll like nets with more fine mesh do. So far I've had fish up to 48" in it and it's handled everything well. If I ever needed a new net I wouldn't think twice about getting another.
Question then. Would you get the same net, or another Frabill model? I am just wondering about the size of the net and how easy it is to get a fish in the hoop. I have fished with a Big Kahuna before with my buddy, and boy is that big hoop nice, but it is not an easy 1 man net.
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Posts: 218
| You won't regret getting the Big Game. Reasonable for one person operation and will hold big fish just fine. I've had fish up to 54" in mine with no problem netting. Big Kahuna pretty much provides a much bigger target but it is tougher for one man operation and takes up a bunch of boat space. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | mtcook16 - 4/30/2012 11:57 PM
curleytail - 4/30/2012 9:51 PM
Another vote for Frabill. I have their Powercatch Big Game(8425). It's one size smaller than the biggest "Big Kahuna." They are a heavier net but built solid and I think a lot of the weight comes from the well coated heavy duty bag. I'm only about 5'8" 170 and I handle it without any trouble while fishing alone. Seems to treat fish well and I never get the big rats nest of net and hooks when they roll like nets with more fine mesh do. So far I've had fish up to 48" in it and it's handled everything well. If I ever needed a new net I wouldn't think twice about getting another.
Question then. Would you get the same net, or another Frabill model? I am just wondering about the size of the net and how easy it is to get a fish in the hoop. I have fished with a Big Kahuna before with my buddy, and boy is that big hoop nice, but it is not an easy 1 man net.
I just noticed I didn't really type that properly. When I said I wouldn't think twice about getting another I meant I would get the same net again without thinking twice. I'm sure the Kahuna is awesome with the super big hoop, but I've never really had an issue getting fish into my net, whether by myself or with somebody else running the net.
If you fish by yourself a fair amount, I think I would go with the size I have rather than the Kahuna. Never tried a Kahuna but it seems like it could be a handful when fishing alone. |
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Posts: 437
| The big kahuna is a very nice net, but not a good solo person net. THe webbing is so heavy and thick that it drags through the water and when holding the rod with one hand and dragging the net through the water to the fish is a difficult task for one person. They are huge and that is nice, but comes with a cost taking up lots of space in the boat and hard to handle by yourself.
I like my Beckman Magnum Finsaver net. Large flat bottom of the net. Light (comparable to Big Game) and easy to use by yourself. Either one of those nets I think would work awesome for you. |
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Posts: 546
Location: MN | I do really like the Beckman Finsaver Pen, but many people say that when the fish thrash, the hooks are a nightmare to untangle from the tight mesh. Also, I don't like how you have to search around to lock out the net. With the Frabills al you have to do is pull the handle and it locks.
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | mtcook16 - 5/1/2012 12:23 PM
I do really like the Beckman Finsaver Pen, but many people say that when the fish thrash, the hooks are a nightmare to untangle from the tight mesh. Also, I don't like how you have to search around to lock out the net. With the Frabills al you have to do is pull the handle and it locks.
Just from watching TV, that's something I've noticed about nets with fine mesh. The Frabill Big Game net series has very tangle free netting, and stills seems to treat fish and their fins well. |
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Posts: 1184
Location: Iowa Great Lakes | I sold my Beckman for the exact reasons already stated, cut more hooks from the net than we did fish.... |
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Posts: 422
| I like my Beckman because it is lightweight and easy to handle.....My only complaint is the yoke. It isn't a problem when I fish by myself because I have it extended already but with multiple people in the boat the handle has been pulled all the way out more than one time with a fish on the line because the locking tab didn't line up with the hole. I do like my Beckman, but if I was in line to buy a new net I would go Frabill because of the superior yoke. Hope that helps.... |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | Is there no way to put a self tapping screw or a drop of weld on the handle so it can't pull all tha way out? I leave mine extended and like the weight when fishing alone. When fishing with a partner we use a Quick Cradel or Big Kahuna |
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Posts: 582
| my old RANGER net finally failed last year. i am looking for a net as well. What size do you guys recommend? i was looking at the 32x41 Frabill. |
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Posts: 833
| Just an opinion, but I would consider how high your gunwale rides above the water and then purchase the deepest musky sized net you can find. Since you are fishing solo a lot, one of the best things you can do is tie a lace to the handle of your net so you can use the kleets on your gunnels to hold the net in place when you have a fish in the bag. It is much easier on the fish (she never leaves the water until it is photo time) and will let you use 2 hands to get the hooks out and assemble your tools. Makes the whole "fish processing" thing a much cleaner process.
I use a large Beckman, but often wish it was about 6" deeper for my boat. Other than that, it is a solid product. I've handled the stowmasters and Frabillls in friend's boats and they are all great products as well. |
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Posts: 582
| a 48" net works for me. i am just trying to decide on 30x34 or 32 x41. I often fish solo |
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Posts: 287
Location: Oconomowoc, WI | Jackson,
Go with the 32x41. Not too big, not too small. |
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Posts: 897
| Only problems I've had with my Beckmans are they don't float (duh! fill the ends of the tube with spray foam and you're set) and over time you will get holes in the mesh from having fish thrashing in the net. That's a good problem to have and an easy fix with some braided line, though. Otherwise, I have had a lot of fish in my Beckman fin saver net and haven't noticed the issues getting hooks untangled. Obviously the hooks get caught up when a fish rolls in the net, but I don't think I've ever had to cut hooks to get them out. |
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Posts: 1405
Location: Detroit River | I love my Stowmaster TS116Y & wouldn't trade for another net out there.
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Posts: 83
Location: Antioch IL | Her is a good net cheap. http://frvmuskie.com/index_files/forum/index.php?topic=1387.0 |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | Jackson, I agree with oconesox. Between those two you'll want the 32x41. I think the other would be pretty small for comfortably leaving a fish in the net in the water, as well as a smaller target to hit when netting fish.
Tucker |
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Posts: 633
Location: Madison, WI | The Beckman nets are by far lighter and i have noticed that smaller fish tend to wedge their noses into the larger holes of frabill nets sometimes getting caught on their jawbone. I have had both but like an above post said i would get one that is nice and deep so you can find your tools and not worry about the fish coming out of the water every time the boat bounces up and down. |
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