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| HI everyone i am looking to by a musky net,whitch one chould i
buy beckman or frabril,,,,,,,,,,?
thanks
joco |
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Posts: 5874
| Frabill Power Catch is what I use. |
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Posts: 32924
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Either will be a good choice. I have a Frabill and love it. Easy to deploy, easy to use, and easy on the fish. One has lots of choices in the Frabill line. I have a Big Kahuna in my 2050 and a Powercatch in the 1690. |
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Location: Illinois-Indiana | Joco,
You are going to get about a 50/50 response to this question.
Both Frabil and Beckman make great products.
Beckman has been around a lot longer and they are always coming up with new and better products.
I personaly use the Beckman Fin Saver Magnum, I think it is lighter then the Frabil and I like the netting better. |
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Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | It is like saying "Coke or Pepsi?". They both are a quality product, with arguably, only subjective differences. You will be well pleased with either. Just make sure to buy the coated net. Fish can't roll up in them, and they are resistant to hooks.
Joco, isn't it time to register with MuskieFirst.com? There are usually two requirements: 1) You haven't yet caught every muskie that swims and are interested in muskie fishing; 2) It is a day which ends in a "Y".
Yep, it is a good day to register!
Edited by Steve Van Lieshout 1/21/2004 12:18 PM
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | I have Beckman myself and will upgrade to the Fin Saver Beckman when I upgrade... |
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| I have a Beckman and really love it, especially because I can use it fishing alone. Either one is fine, just go with the biggest one available if you can afford it. That way you can keep your fish in the water while you unhook them, and then quickly get a picture and release them back safely.
Edited by muskyboy 1/21/2004 1:21 PM
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Posts: 492
Location: Lindenhurst, Illinois | I have had both Frabil and Beckman. I found that the Frabil could not withstand being run over by a Ford Explorer when it bounced out of my boat, so I switched to Beckman (because that is all they had at the bait shop near where I was fishing). I have a Beckman Fin Saver now. Both are quality and I don't think you will be disappointed either way. If it would fit in my boat I would probably buy a Big Kahuna, but since it won't I am more than satisfied with my Beckman.
Edited by MeHabeeb 1/21/2004 1:37 PM
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Location: Pewaukee, WI | I have 2 Frabill's........switched from Beckman when the snap didn't lock and the net rolled on the fish of a lifetime........now the net is always locked in but a Frabill will never roll on you with the v shaped handle |
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Posts: 11
Location: Albert Lea, MN | Don't forget about StowMaster....
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Posts: 105
Location: Kawartha Lakes, Ontario | The Beckman net has a flat bottom, forming a pen in the water, correct? Is the Frabill net constructed the same way, or does it taper like traditional mesh nets? |
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Posts: 686
Location: Tomahawk, Wisconsin | I have been using Beckman for the past 20 years, check out the different nets by companies and see what fits your needs. Dave |
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Frabill...
Any of the Power-Catch series will serve you well. Treated, knotless bags are very fish friendly, tons of room to work on the fish and the coating on the net is soft yet durable.
Check it out... www.frabill.com
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Posts: 103
Location: Land O' Lakes WI | Frabill has been building quality fishing products for the discerning angler since 1944 (A.D.). Worrall may know if there were any products out before that,,,
The flat bottom, knoless mesh bags with a tanglefree finish have been built by Frabill since, I believe 1990, in one way shape or form. We service landing net needs on a global basis and have been on the leading edge of catch and release nets for almost 15 years, mostly in Europe. We introduced our first musky net in this configuartion in 1995 if memory serves me right. We worked with Pete Maina on our Kwik Kradle. Standard frame nets have been in production since about '98??? or so.
The flat bottom, knotless mesh, and the Tfree finish are important for a quick release of fish. If your net has these features your are doing the fish a great service. On all PowerCatch nets (Big Game or Big Kahuna sizes) we put a lifetime warranty on the yoke (Lots of people do that) but we also put a lifetime warranty on the hoop.
FYI,
Mark Gostisha
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Posts: 32924
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | MARK!! take a look at this:
http://walleye.outdoorsfirst.com/board/thread-view.asp?threadid=207... |
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Posts: 103
Location: Land O' Lakes WI | Steve,
That is a trip down memory lane!!!
Not sure when Frabill started making those, probably mid fifties.
Frabill was still producing those when I came to work for them in 1987.
Thanks for the fond memory,
Mark
Edited by Mark Gostisha 1/22/2004 6:28 AM
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Whoally Smokes Steve..... I didn't know any of those were still around.
You ever see one at a thrift sale, pick it up for me, it'll be great in my collection. |
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Posts: 16
Location: Kawartha Lakes Region, Ontario, Canada | I prefer and use Frabill's Big Kahuna model. I think what I love most about this net is the oversized yoke and the 60" deep bag. The yoke obviously makes the whole "scoop" action in the water not have to be so dead on but more importantly the deep bag allows you to rest the yoke of the net up flat on your gunnel while allowing the fish to remain in the water. SOMETHING TO CONSIDER DEPENDING HOW HIGH YOUR GUNNEL IS FROM YOUR WATERLINE
The larger webbing design of the bag allows the water to pass through it easily during the " scoop" motion through the water.
I have yet to have a fish's fin damaged in my net and to be honest, I really dont forcast it happening, the holes are so big that there is lots of room for the fin to play through the webbing. The bag is knotless which again is very fish friendly.
The bags are rubber coated to eliminate getting hooks tangled, but more importantly, to be a little more fish friendly.
If I were to have to choose between the two, and I've used both, I would choose the Frabill
Is it June yet?!?!??!??!?! I'm going nuts!
Edited by Davis Battah 1/28/2004 10:40 PM
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Posts: 45
Location: Appleton, Wi | We have used both nets. I would definetly recommend FRABIL. With the handle the shape of a triangle the hoop does not turn when locking in place, and you can still net a fish if you do not have the time to lock it in place. Also I have witnessed someone standing on the hoop and bending it 90 degrees and then bending it back to the original shape. No stress cracks!!! |
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Posts: 32924
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | See the Muskie Bump Board thread for the perfect Frabill Muskie net CPR companion, the Protech. Very cool! |
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Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn | Here's a Frabile "Big Kahuna" in action. This is about a 46"-47" fish and she about as happy as she can be considering the circumstances. Best net I've ever had! Doug Johnson
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| Great discussion!
Beckman Nets started out in 1961. The first net was hand made by Milo Beckman himself. What model of net did he make? A musky net. He was tired of going up to Rhinelander, WI and hearing about all the stories from the guides needing a landing net that would last more than one season. Milo set out to build the highest quilty landing net and he immediatly backed it up with the lifetime gaurantee on the yoke in 1961. Not sure if there were many net companies back then doing that, but there are a few now.
We stand behind our entire net. On average we get less than 5 nets in a year that come back to us. Many times, it's because the wife ran over it with the car...or so it seems. We conitnue to be searching for better ways to produce our nets, yet maintain it's longstanding reputation in high quality.
Beckman nets are still built with the finest materials today. We use drawn aluminum, not extruded. We hand dip our treated nets and cure them for 48 hours. We stretch them for another 48 hours. We do not "fast" dry our bags with heat because some elements of the coating can be lost. When you pick one off the shelf, the treated bag will not be all matted together. The solution that we use for our nets contains a special ingredient that holds into the webbing of the net, making it virtually hook proof. It also includes a mildew free component, so even after many fish and your net going in and out of the water...it will not hold or allow mildew to breed.
The most important part about Beckman Nets is they're fish friendly. Our NEW Fin Saver Pen is getting tremendous feedback over the past year. It uses a finer mesh which prevents fins and tails of the fish from getting broken or bent. With the large mesh sometimes the fish will roll and break fins. The unique design of the fin saver bag allows for the fish to be worked on inside the bag. Even on big fish...the small mesh will expand to over twice it's size for "whales". This allows the angler to never have to remove the fish from the water. It can be used as a one man cradle in a sense.
Anyway, there are many nets to choose from on the market. Remember, when your trophies on the line...how much is your net worth?
Tight lines,
Sam Anderson
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Posts: 87
| I have a question for anyone who uses a big kahuna. Where do you store it in your boat so its not in the way? |
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Posts: 32924
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | No such thing as having a deployed muskie net not in the way. I put mine over the motor cowl, but I run a Mercury 250 Opti Max. The Stowmaster folds. My son ran that net last year; I think he has a shot of it in another net thread onsite. |
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Posts: 80
Location: IL | My buddy "Long Shanks" (my Frabill) has been VERY good to me.
The best net I have ever owned. Both are good but....in my humble opinion the Frabill is a better net than the Beckman.. The reasons have already been stated.
matt
E.R.C. |
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Posts: 925
| I use the Frabill Big Game Power Catch.
I bet the new Beckman Fin Saver with the treated mesh is just as good.
But I tried using the normal Beckmans and wow do fish tangle easy in those.
My buddy and I brought two nets to LOTW last year. He had a normal Beckman and I have the Frabill.
We gave the Beckman a try, but I told him no more after day 1. Way too many tangles.
The Frabill saw action for the next 6 days. |
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Posts: 5193
| Beckman is much lighter and fits in muskie boats unlike frabil.0723 |
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| Frabill fits fine in my boat. Are you saying the Beckman is lots smaller? I saw both at the Extreme show, and the size of the net and weight is very similar. |
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Posts: 16
Location: Kawartha Lakes Region, Ontario, Canada | Hey esoxmn, and anyone else who is interested,
I store my Big Kahuna standing errect in one of my rod holders towards the back of my boat. It has never gotten in the way, nor has it been an issue when travelling at 50 mph across the lake in this upright position. Picture 60" of net flying in the wind like a flag on a mast when going from spot to spot.
If you go to my website and click on "The Boat" tab, you will see a picture that will give you a better idea of what I'm talking about. |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | I'm on my second Beckman(first one is still in use, but relegated to river floats and other uses for a medium sized net), and have the mag fin saver. I simply love this net! I like the squared off bag design and the tight weave of the upper part of the bag. I'm sure the Frabill is a nice net, just haven't had a reason to use one. One thing though. I watch Joe Buchers TV show now and again and it is amazing how tangled up his fish often get in his Frabill. I'm not sure which model it is, but that never happens with the pen on my net, unless I do not net them deeply enough(they get hung on the side of the bag of any net if one is not carefull).
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