Recommend a Net

So I'm just starting out and I'm getting my gear in line for what I'm hoping will be a great year of kayak fishing.  Do you guys have a recommendation on nets and where to get one?  I know its required to have a net i believe 18" in circumference on the vessel, is that correct?   If anyone has any recommendations I'd be happy to listen.
    Thanks!     oh, and I need a gaff too!

So I'm just starting out and I'm getting my gear in line for what I'm hoping will be a great year of kayak fishing.  Do you guys have a recommendation on nets and where to get one?  I know its required to have a net i believe 18" in circumference on the vessel, is that correct?   If anyone has any recommendations I'd be happy to listen.
    Thanks!     oh, and I need a gaff too!

I would recommend a foldable net and for the gaff, highly recommend the floating one made by PK!

I had a big ole cheap net to comply with the law, but it was always snagging everything.

So I cut it apart, just reused the mesh part, and threaded it onto coated stainless steel wire from the hardware store, and joined the loop using a ferrule clamp.  

It's way over 18" unlfolded, but packs away nicely, flat and small.

floating gaff = KZ sells them
http://www.kzreelrods.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2&zenid=9o0f5dd59h6vlsvbbd8uglfns4

for nets, get whatever net you are happy with.
I have a foldable 20" promar net that i bought from hook1. my only problem is its too small for a lot of ocean species so i usually use a lip gripper instead.. easier to use and c&r.

if i was to do it again, i'd spend the little extra to get a 24" promar collapsible net.  charkbait carries them here:
http://www.charkbait.com/cs/csrPromarNETS_gaffs.htm it's the LN 703
karen from hook1 can probably order one and get it to you with a 10% NCKA discount as well.  She is a site sponsor.

so how big is the net supposed to be to be considered legal?  I have a smallish one for bass fishing,  is it measured in circumference or diameter?  Dumb questions I know...

as ben said.....

if i was to do it again, i'd spend the little extra to get a 24" promar collapsible net.  charkbait carries them here:
http://www.charkbait.com/cs/csrPromarNETS_gaffs.htm it's the LN 703
karen from hook1 can probably order one and get it to you with a 10% NCKA discount as well.  She is a site sponsor.

I had a cheap-o one and Craig lost it while we were landing his hali at Paradise....J/K Criag. I got the pormar above and love it. Works for all out local fish and folds up small enough to not get hooked when casting.

diameter.....18 inchs!  Thats what she said!!!!!!

Thanks guys, i'll look into getting a promar collapsible, seems to make the most sense!

Be aware that gaffs are not allowed in some, if not all, freshwater areas.

I have a foldable Promar net, and I agree that you should get the biggest size they carry for a few extra bucks.

also note that promar does sell a floating version...but you can make your own floating version by ziptying a section of pool noodle (i use pipe insulation) around the handle.

make sure you do that, since many nets have been lost in the past due to not having positive floatation.

I have a bunch of Nets but since I got this one it's all I use, it's netting has a rubber coating and the hooks rarely stick to it, and it seems a little easier on fish. Fits in my hatch. http://www.fishfreakonline.com/egowaderubbercoatedlarge.html

I do like the stowmasters but they are a bit too much $$$$

I just got a cheap 24 inch net from my local sport store.  I filled the handle with spray foam so it floats, and painted the handle with orange paint to make it easy to spot.  Works well and I don't have to worry about tethering it.

Matt

I have the larger of the collapsable Promar's. Works well, I would suggest a float and or tether as I have donated one as well.

Gaff, I bought a super cheap one. I am thinking of harvesting some of the bamboo from my yard and make a flashy one that the girls will like.

I have a bunch of Nets but since I got this one it's all I use, it's netting has a rubber coating and the hooks rarely stick to it, and it seems a little easier on fish. Fits in my hatch. http://www.fishfreakonline.com/egowaderubbercoatedlarge.html

Second that on the Ego nets. I have the large rubber-coated version, which floats. I trimmed 18" off the handle to make it less unwieldy, which works well for me. I like having both the extra reach, as well as leverage when lifting heavy lings. 

The rubber netting is stretchy, so even though it looks shallow, it stretches well over 12" when called upon.  This feature, along with the weight of the rubber, keeps it from whipping around in the wind.

Definitely recommended if you'll be fishing for bait with sabikis.

http://www.fishfreakonline.com/egorubbermeshlarge.html