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Posts: 550
Location: So. Illinois | Has anyone used the large stowmaster net or does anyone have an opinion of this product? I am considering one since space is an issue. Is it sturdy (since the hoop folds in half) and is the bag fish/fin and hook friendly? I like the idea of hte storage bag and the fact that it folds up reduing the amount of space needed. Is it worth the additional cost? |
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Posts: 1270
| I can't comment on the larger musky size stowmaster as I have never used one, but I have used there top of the line walleye net and really like it. My net and the musky net both use an aluminum yoke and hinge whereas some of the other ones use nylon parts.
It does take a little getting used to opening the net quickley but after a little practice it's not to hard.
Currently I have a Beckman musky net and don't see a reason to change, but if I was in the market I would definatly look at the Stowmaster. |
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Posts: 67
Location: St. Germain, Wi | The large stowmaster is great. Ive had one for two seasons with no problems. It deploys quickly and is out of the way. I like the optional bag it goes in. I was tired of always stepping on the beckman. Jim |
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| My brother bought the large stowmaster earlier this year because his boat has limited floor space. The netting is high quality and fish friendly. It opens up in a matter of seconds and is very easy to operate. This net has seen upwards of 40 fish this season including 2 fish above 50" and has performed flawlessly. I consider it to be of the same quality as the Frabil and Beckman nets.
Fred |
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Posts: 119
Location: Sioux Narrows | I say its a great net , I use a bass boat for muskie guiding and in sits nicely on my deck with plenty of room to walk around, deployes easy and handles the big boys. |
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Posts: 35
| I really like mine !!! I have the 116 model and it handles 50 inch fish with no problem. |
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Posts: 550
Location: So. Illinois | Thanks for all the replies, looks like I am sold. I appreciate all the responses |
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Posts: 382
| Both my father and good friend have them and wouldn't go back to the convential net for anything! |
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Posts: 1086
| I've currently own and use a Beckman...which I love and have no problems with.
My bro-in-law bought the Stowmaster. I must say...I was a skeptic of the net at first. I was concerned about the sturdiness and the reliability of a net that has folding parts. I was concerned that, with my luck, that net would fold up on me at all the wrong times, ie, crucial netting times. But..this net is designed with locks that will not allow it to fold up on you unless you manually and physically unlock it to fold it up. It has a really long extension handle which is nice too. The bag is very deep and the hoop on the muskie version is huge. I think the bag is something like 40 inches deep.
I have to admit...I've thought numerous times about retiring my Beckman and selling it in favor of me buying my own Stowmaster. I bought a bigger boat, where space isn't so much the issue anymore...but....you still can't beat the ability to fold up the Stowmaster and have it out of the way when it's not needed. It does fold out quickly...but when we're actually fishing, we have it all put together anyway, should a fish hit boatside...you'll not have enough time to get to the net and open it up properly.
It's a great net. I'm still on the fence whether or not to move on from my Beckman..... |
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Location: Munster, IN | I have the big one and love it.
Space is not an issue in my boat but I like how it is out of the way until needed.
Easy to use and high quality netting.
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Posts: 585
Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland | I will play the devil's advocate on this question as there are plus and minuses about this net depending on the size of your boat and whether you fish with a partner. Here you go:
I have the largest stomaster net. Definitley a quality product. I have a small boat, thus - I need the space. However, when opening the net, it is just as big or bigger than other quality nets. It also seems to weigh a lot more. If you are in the boat by yourself, this can be an issue. I believe it also costs twice as much as the other quality Beckman's or Frabils. If you have the space in your boat - you don't need one. If you have a small boat, it's a great net. I only keep mine folded up when I'm going to places in my boat. Once I'm there - I open it so it will be ready. If you are by yourself the weight of the net and opening it should not come into play when you are attempting to land your fish of a lifetime. In other words - have your equipment ready when you need it. Folding the nete at times can be difficult as it is not as smooth as it could be. I also do not see any reason to have the extension handle on this net in most boats as the handle is long enough unless your boat is very high off of the water.
FYI: I talked to the owner of the company about the nets when they first started selling them. He advised me at that time that he would totally refund my money if I was not satisifed with my net. I still have it!!! good product. |
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| i agree, i open it as soon as i get where im goin...geez, i thought it was just me wondering if that thing is heavy, it IS heavy, but i've never owned another net. one thing u dont wanna do is use it to retreive a lure with the extension out, it WILL bend, creating problems getting it back in. dumb move on my part, but i still love that nat |
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