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BEST KAYAK FISHING NET – INTRO
If you are an experienced kayak fisherman, there is no need to try to convince you of the importance of high quality kayak fishing nets. With the best kayak fishing net at your disposal, you can secure a good catch those last few, very crucial, feet from the water into your kayak!
Not familiar with kayak fishing nets? Be sure to check out our Kayak Fishing Net Ultimate Guide before reading this post!
Best Kayak Fishing Net – Overview:
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Kayak fishing nets are vital pieces of gear for kayak fishermen of any level of skill or experience! It really is as simple as that! This is why you will see every single professional kayak fisherman on circuit with a kayak fishing net in their kayak with them (at all times).
Getting the best kayak fishing net is SO crucial for your overall success on the water. Hence, in this guide, I have made sure that all of the information that I am going to present to you remains easy to understand and sift through. I have even fragmented this post into brief subsections so that you don’t miss out on anything!
First of all, you’ll get to know basic information about the best kayak fishing net – what it is, what it is made of, when to use it, and so forth! After that, I will provide you with a checklist of some important points that you need to know when seeking to learn how to use a kayak fishing net!
The next section contains everything you need to know before buying the best kayak fishing net. If you keep each of these important features in mind, you will be certain to be very happy with the net you end up buying – even if it isn’t one of the ones that we showcase in this article!
I have also added a link to my favorite kayak fishing net, and I will review it in the following section with a list of the pros and cons that it has to offer. Look, by no means is it the ONLY top quality model of kayak fishing net, but it is one that I rely upon and it has never once let me down – that means a lot to me! You can find out all about it in the “My Experience” section right at the end of the post.
Ok, let’s get down to business!
Best Kayak Fishing Net – Basics:
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Shortcut to the Best Kayak Fishing Net Review
As there are SO many different types of fishing nets available for kayak fishermen, choosing the right one might become a bit too overwhelming – especially if you don’t know what to look for in terms of which features should matter for your particular kayak fishing style!
But let’s take a step back and look at this. Kayak fishing nets should allow you to get a good solid grasp over a fish that you have caught – that is their #1 purpose. Sometimes, as you know, it becomes pretty hard to maintain control over your rod or line. And when this happens, you will notice that your catch becomes out of control, and there is a risk that you might end up losing a trophy fish and no one will believe your story!
To prevent that, you need to have a kayak fishing net – it is an absolutely critical piece of kayak fishing gear – of equal importance to the rod and reel itself, in my opinion!
It will allow you to pull the struggling fish from the water, keep it there for a few minutes, and then either place it inside the well in your kayak (or throw it back into the water as part of a catch-and-release approach, one favored by KFC). It can save you from a lot of effort and time consumption – and, better yet, the risk of losing a fish at the last minute!
If you are using a kayak fishing net for the first time, make sure to keep it right by your dominant hand for quick and easy access! Don’t wait or rely on your luck and allow your fish to escape! Untangle the net before you throw it in to scoop your catch out of water!!
Most kayak fishing nets are made of nylon. Others feature rubberized coating, and you can also find “knot-less” kayak fishing nets. All of them are relatively effortless to use and require the same principle technique.
Nylon nets do, however, require regular cleaning because they might develop some odor over time (you know the “fishy” smell I am talking about). However, you don’t have to do much to clean them – no special chemicals or anything like that. Just a gentle rinse with warm water and air drying will suffice. All in all, they are a pretty low maintenance piece of kayak fishing gear, relatively speaking!
How to Install a Kayak Fishing Net?
Installing a kayak fishing net isn’t too difficult. But if you want to be a successful kayak fisherman, then you need to ritualize everything like I do. This will ensure that you don’t miss any steps – following the same process for set up and tear down each and every time. I follow this process and it has helped me a lot!
Before you start using your kayak fishing net, you need to get everything in place and take the following steps. Doing so will ensure that the net is ready for a quick deployment at the time you need it most!
- Unbox your kayak fishing net and identify different items present in it.
- Normally there is a pole and a net along with a guide in the box.
- You will find the net attached to the pole handle if it comes assembled (single piece).
- Identify any buttons or controls present on the pole.
- Now go through the instructions manual closely.
- If it doesn’t come fully assembled, you will have to attach the net with the pole.
- You have to use water-resistant glue or use the hooks present on the pole for this purpose.
- Sometimes the net comes with a loop seaming in which you can insert the pole.
- Some poles also have a foldable construction where the handle folds back for better storage and portability.
- Once you have attached the pole with the net, try it out and see if everything is in place correctly.
- Make sure there are no loose ends.
- After satisfaction, it’s time to take the kayak fishing net out on the water.
- I suggest practicing with it a couple of times before the “big moment”, using a low “scooping” motion with your hand while simultaneously raising your rod and reel (mimicking getting the fish into position) with the other!
Pro Tip: Be sure not to fall overboard when leaning out and using your net by learning How to Use Kayak Outriggers! Also, be easier on your hands by using Kayak Paddle Grips (just make sure you learn How to Use Kayak Paddle Grips before you head out onto the water)!
Best Kayak Fishing Net – Important Features:
If you don’t know what to look for in terms of the features of a kayak fishing net, making the right purchase decision will become very difficult (and, frankly, you’ll probably buy one that isn’t the best fit for your particular style). Therefore, here is a brief guide on what you need to consider before making the decision to buy, if you want to buy the best kayak fishing net for your particular style, that is.
Mesh Type
Manufacturers use different types and materials to make their kayak fishing nets. Primarily there are three different types of materials used in the construction: knotless, rubberized, or nylon-coated.
The most common type is the nylon coated (at least in recent years) because it is the lightest of the three. It is also hook resistant and is immune to any damage caused by UV rays of saltwater – critical features for any kayak fishermen to consider.
Some of these nylon nets have a “knot-less” design, and they are extremely safe for the fish (better than the knitted ones). Plus, they are least likely to get tangled as compared to the knotted ones. This makes them much more reliable in terms of an ASAP deployment!
Rubberized are far better for fish because they don’t scrape off any fins, scales, or mucus from the gills of the fish. If you are going to release your catch, which KFC strongly advises that its readers do, then rubberized nets are the best option for you!
Mesh Size
Mesh size is an important factor to consider, and the size that is right for you will change based upon the size of fish size you normally go for. If those delicate trout are your target, then choose a micro-mesh (3/16-inch).
For a larger fish like bass, catfish, walleye, northern pike, or crappie, and so on and so forth, then choose a mesh size that is up to one-inch in size. The last thing you want is for a fish to “slip through” the voids in the meshing!
Handle Material
The material of your handle is another important feature. A thick metal handle is going to add to the overall weight – and extra weight is the last thing you want, whether in the kayak or accessories that you are bringing on board! Therefore it is better to go for a handle that is made of aluminum or carbon. Such a handle is better suited for smaller fish (due to weight considerations), however.
If you are looking to catch large fish, a wooden handle would be a better choice. This is because it is more rigid and better able to resist “bending” when working to haul in a heavier fish. As wood is prone to damage upon exposure to elements, you need to re-varnish it regularly if your kayak fishing net goes to the water a lot. Not difficult to do, and keeps everything looking nice (not to mention, it increases longevity).
Portability
As you are going to use it on your kayak, portability is going to be very important. Don’t go for a kayak fishing net that is too heavy or too large to carry on your kayak.
Telescoping features are one of the best approaches when it comes to portability. Foldability is another important feature to consider here. You can find tons of options in each of these styles!
Pro Tip: Not enough hands to work both your net and the paddle? See if an Electric Kayak might be a good fit for your style! A Kayak Paddle Holder Clip is also a nice “space saving” feature!
Buy the Best Kayak Fishing Net:
The best kayak fishing net is the model that I have linked to above, and I highly recommend it based upon several years of my own experience with it. I am going to provide you with details on why I think that it is the best kayak fishing net money can buy!
This kayak fishing net has a foldable telescopic handle, which makes it a very portable option to consider (a really awesome feature for those of us who like to “backpack in” to our kayak fishing destinations). Apart from that, the net is made of nylon, and it is an excellent option for catching medium-sized fish. Whether you are looking to catch or release your fish, later on, this is the best kayak fishing net you will find on the market.
So, with this particular model, you will get the right mesh type and size along with the handle that is ideally suitable for catching small to medium-sized fish. Whether you are a novice kayak fisherman or not, this kayak fishing net checks all the boxes, however, if you are kayak fishing for larger species of fish (catfish, paddlefish, etc.), then you may want to consider a larger size!
My Experience
My experience with this particular kayak fishing net has been nothing short of extraordinary, particularly in terms of reliability and quick “deployment” (dropping and swooping into the water). I have found it extremely portable to use on my kayak, and it is an excellent choice for catching small to medium-sized fish.
I loved how the folding mechanism, along with the telescoping handle, works together with ease. Setting it up is not a big deal either, and I think you can use it quite comfortably even if you haven’t used a kayak fishing net before. In fact, a took a “first timer” out the other week and he was able to figure it out without any additional instruction from me!
The durable nylon mesh of this fishing net is an excellent option for keeping it safe for the fish. It also handles saltwater and UV rays pretty well (which sometimes can deteriorate lesser quality nets). And the best thing is that it is extremely lightweight.
Pros
- Foldable construction (nice for storage).
- Telescoping handle (good for quick deployment).
- Nylon mesh suitable for small to medium-sized fish (like trout or perch).
- The net is damage proof against UV rays and saltwater.
- Extremely lightweight (a great option for “backpackers”).
Cons
- Not the ideal option to catch larger fish (suggest looking at a wooden handled kayak fishing net instead).
Conclusion:
I hope this post about the best kayak fishing net proves to be informative and useful for you in your kayak fishing purchasing endeavors. I have made sure that all the information is available in a clear and concise manner so you don’t have to go through the entire post to find a certain answer (meaning you can get out to the water sooner).
The best kayak fishing net that money can buy, at least in the experience of your humble host, is the model I have linked to above. It is equipped with all the features that you look for when trying to find the best kayak fishing net!
Comments
So how do you bring the fish from the water to the kayak during those last few, but critical, feet! Do you try to pull them in while on the line? Or have you tried swooping them out of the water with the assistance of a kayak fishing net?
Perhaps you have some direct experience with a kayak fishing net that you want to suggest to this group? Maybe event some experience with our showcased model? Share with us by posting in the Comments section below! We read and reply to every comment and LOVE interacting with the kayak fishing community!