Salmon trolling from the Revolution

I always hear "big net" is a must from experienced salmon anglers.
What consider big net?
Wouldn't be it too cumbersome on the kayak?

I'm going to be stepping up to a "big" net this year as well.  Basically, as big as you can find.

I was told to cut the handle shorter so it's more manageable.

I always hear "big net" is a must from experienced salmon anglers.
What consider big net?
Wouldn't be it too cumbersome on the kayak?

I'm going to be stepping up to a "big" net this year as well.  Basically, as big as you can find.

I was told to cut the handle shorter so it's more manageable.

Don't be shy of using a really big net.  Protip: it doubles as a hammock back on the beach.

What consider big net?
Wouldn't be it too cumbersome on the kayak?

Basically, as big as you can find.

This - as big as you can find.

It's not cumbersome.

Also,

"I was told to cut the handle shorter so it's more manageable. "

I wouldn't cut the handle.

That pic was right before the sealion stole the whole enchilada - my biggest salmon in years and maybe ever.   

Glad I got the video anyway...

"Cumbersome" would be NOT having the big net ready, IMO.

The Big A net also works surprisingly well as a paddle! Try it, you'll be surprised.

My old net is a Cummings net with a 21.5" x 27" hoop, it was definitely too small. I had to line the fish up just right to get them to slide into the bag.

My new net has a 29" x 34" hoop and a 48" deep bag with a weighted ring at the bottom. I should be able to lead a salmon into the net from just about any direction. I tied a ~10" tag end of 1/4" bungee cord to the ring at the bottom of the bag, and tied another piece of bungee tightly around the net handle near the yoke. The tag end from the bottom of the net bag tucks into the piece tied around the net handle to keep the giant bag controlled. The bungee easily slides free when there is any weight at all in the net.

I haven't gotten to test this out yet, but I think it'll work great. It's a similar idea to the Scotty NetMinder (Google it), but it didn't cost me anything. This way I get the security of a giant net bag without all the hassles and tangles (in theory...).

My old net is a Cummings net with a 21.5" x 27" hoop, it was definitely too small. I had to line the fish up just right to get them to slide into the bag.

My new net has a 29" x 34" hoop and a 48" deep bag with a weighted ring at the bottom. I should be able to lead a salmon into the net from just about any direction. I tied a ~10" tag end of 1/4" bungee cord to the ring at the bottom of the bag, and tied another piece of bungee tightly around the net handle near the yoke. The tag end from the bottom of the net bag tucks into the piece tied around the net handle to keep the giant bag controlled. The bungee easily slides free when there is any weight at all in the net.

I haven't gotten to test this out yet, but I think it'll work great. It's a similar idea to the Scotty NetMinder (Google it), but it didn't cost me anything. This way I get the security of a giant net bag without all the hassles and tangles (in theory...).

Any Pics? I have one of those big gold handled nets. It was getting snagged on every thing. . Don't know what I should use this season?
Thanks

My old net is a Cummings net with a 21.5" x 27" hoop, it was definitely too small. I had to line the fish up just right to get them to slide into the bag.

My new net has a 29" x 34" hoop and a 48" deep bag with a weighted ring at the bottom. I should be able to lead a salmon into the net from just about any direction. I tied a ~10" tag end of 1/4" bungee cord to the ring at the bottom of the bag, and tied another piece of bungee tightly around the net handle near the yoke. The tag end from the bottom of the net bag tucks into the piece tied around the net handle to keep the giant bag controlled. The bungee easily slides free when there is any weight at all in the net.

I haven't gotten to test this out yet, but I think it'll work great. It's a similar idea to the Scotty NetMinder (Google it), but it didn't cost me anything. This way I get the security of a giant net bag without all the hassles and tangles (in theory...).

Any Pics? I have one of those big gold handled nets. It was getting snagged on every thing. . Don't know what I should use this season?
Thanks

+1

What consider big net?
Wouldn't be it too cumbersome on the kayak?

Basically, as big as you can find.

This - as big as you can find.

It's not cumbersome.

Also,

"I was told to cut the handle shorter so it's more manageable. "

I wouldn't cut the handle.

There is such thing as too big of net.  I have tried using my Beckman net with the weighted sock and it is too much and more than I need.  My net on the right is the same net I landed a 49.5" pacific halibut except I have since replaced the sock since it had too many holes.

-A long handle really helps.
***Stuff the handle so the net will float if you drop it.  I had a salmon in once and due to swell and currents I lost the net with the salmon in it, but circled around and retrieved the net with the salmon still in it since I still had my line and hook in its mouth

My experience has been that any salmon I net in saltwater is a dead salmon.  Too many scales come off that if a fish hits the net, i am killing it. 

I think it just means the thick meshed rubber and other "safe for the fish" don't work very well.  They are heavy, acts more like a sail on your kayak, and is just a PITA. 

A big net has just gotten in the way for me.  Of course too small of a net doesn't work either.  I'm looking for a cheapo, light weight, net with a deeper bag.  Still using my frabill safe mesh because its what I got.  It's not going to be big enough for any king over 30 pounds. 

My big net is too big and frankly I have wasted more time battling the dang thing.  Untangling rod tips from it, untangling gear that gets embed in it when the fish spins around.  etc.

So I need something lighter and deeper than my current net.


But this one is TOO big in my opinion....



Looking for that "goldilocks just right" net...still.....

I don't have any pics of my net, but here's stock photo of my Frabill net and a pic of the Scotty NetMinder so you can see what I mean by "controlling the net". I'll snap some pictures later if you guys are interested in how I rigged up the DIY bungee "NetMinder".

Time will tell whether this works for me or not.... I haven't had a chance to try it yet. All I know is that my last net was NOT big enough. Salmon do NOT like it when the net hoop touches them.

What consider big net?
Wouldn't be it too cumbersome on the kayak?

Basically, as big as you can find.

This - as big as you can find.

It's not cumbersome.

Also,

"I was told to cut the handle shorter so it's more manageable. "

I wouldn't cut the handle.

There is such thing as too big of net.  I have tried using my Beckman net with the weighted sock and it is too much and more than I need.  My net on the right is the same net I landed a 49.5" pacific halibut except I have since replaced the sock since it had too many holes.

-A long handle really helps.
***Stuff the handle so the net will float if you drop it.  I had a salmon in once and due to swell and currents I lost the net with the salmon in it, but circled around and retrieved the net with the salmon still in it since I still had my line and hook in its mouth

How big is the Beckman you're talking about? And the one you're using now?

I know Beckman makes (or made...) a HUGE net for musky fishermen. That one would definitely be overkill.

My only complaint about this Frabill net is that the bag itself is pretty heavy. It's got the "tangle free" coating, which makes the mesh kindof stiff. I may look for a replacement bag that's a little lighter and possibly a little more compact.

Here are my two nets for comparison, and a pic of my bungee contraption.

I use a Lininger Standard Salmon Landing Net  26X34" hoop,  48" handle. I like the size and length and have landed large salmon with it. Personally 26X34" with a 48" deep net is the smallest I would use for kings. I removed the rubber grip and replaced it with bicycle tape so I can "choke up" on the handle if needed. I threaded a pool noodle into the inside of the handle so it floats. Other inject insulating foam. The only downside of really huge nets is wind drag since they are harder to lay down on windy days. As others have said, I wouldn't cut the handle down.

I may upgrade to a Ranger "Big Game" Landing Net (48-Inch Handle, 34 x 31-Inch. This net is slightly bigger than my Lininger with a stronger handle but weighs more and has a heavier swing weight.

I stumbled across this site the other day when I was looking farting around on the web. They have just about every net out there:

http://www.allinonemarinesports.com/m/product-list/fishing-accessories-terminal-tackle-1371/landing-nets-1385/