Best Fishing Net of 2020
After extensive testing, the KastKing Madbite Folding Landing Net beat out the competition in several areas of performance, earning its status as our favorite overall. Ready to go? Pull the net out of the included bag, twist the handle grip to extend it out, then pull up both sides of the net to complete the setup. Slick. The hoop is also relatively large, so landing a bigger fish shouldn't be much of a problem. Not only is this fishing net seemingly built to last, but it also has some smart features that many of the other nets couldn't beat. One of the coolest and most useful is the fish ruler built right onto the handle. It also floats, which is a significant benefit when reeling in a fish and fiddling with a net at the same time. The net can also be used with one hand, further helping you get the big one when you're fishing alone.
The only downsides? The carry bag is unlikely to last long, as ours already showed signs of falling apart during our testing period. Not a big deal, but with the quality of the net, you'd expect the bag to be at least be a little sturdier. Also, the button to fold the net was relatively small and sometimes hard to push forward. Minor complaints, and if you're looking for a net that is portable, versatile, and easy to use, look no further than the KastKing Madbite.
You want a very versatile net, you say? Look no further than the Ego S1 Genesis Floating Fishing Net. With over 30 different attachments, from transparent rubber mesh, opaque rubber mesh, nylon, PVC, trout, wading, lake, and ocean nets, to a gaff, a deck brush, and many more, this net can get the job done in just about every way imaginable. Throw in the fact that it floats, and it's more enticing. Unscrew the solidly made extended pole, and you can use the net to scoop up fish that are close, say from a kayak or small boat. The long foam grip also gives you the option of using it one-handed or two-handed for those real hefty fish. The rubber-coated net that we tested features an extra deep well to ensure you get the catch of the day.
The only real issues we had were with the net. Its larger holes may let smaller fish wiggle their way out. And for catch and release, this may not be the net. The thin nylon mesh seems to us to be more likely to hurt the scales of a fish. But on the plus side, it moves through the water quickly to give you a split-second edge when landing your catch.
If you want the best of both worlds (portability and ease-of-use), the Plusinno Foldable Fishing Net is the net for you. With a weight of just 14.5 ounces and a folded length of only 17", you'll be able to carry this out to your favorite fishing hole and haul in some dinner. Not hungry? Its rubber-coated net is easy on fish for catch and release and cuts down on the number of hook entanglements. And with a respectable 12" net depth, you can count on this fishing net to keep your catch exactly where you want it — in the net. Add in an extendable pole that gives you an extra 7" reach, and you can get out far enough to ensure you land the fish before it gets off the hook. Another benefit? This net floats. So even if you lose grip of the soft foam handle, you'll most likely get it back, which is critical, because this net doesn't come with a wrist leash.
One of the few things we found to complain about was the mechanism to extend the pole. It was sometimes difficult to turn and loosen, meaning valuable time could be lost when a fish is on the line. And the hoop size was on the smaller side, so getting a bigger fish in it may be more work. But if those minor flaws aren't a big deal for you, we recommend picking up the Plusinno at a low price for a good product.
If you're seriously into fly fishing or just want a great catch and release net for streams and lakes, the SF Fly Fishing Landing Net is the product for you. On top of having a classic look, it's durable bamboo and hardwood construction means we expect it to last for years to come. Plus, the wrist leash is another nifty feature that features a magnet that breaks away when you really need to reach for a fish, and doubles as a convenient fish tool carrier, keeping things like your plyers within easy reach. Drop the net in the stream in a frenzy to land a fish? No worries. The net floats.
There were only a few things we could find to complain about the SF Fly Fishing Landing Net. For one, it has limited versatility. It's really just made for one type of fishing. Also, the reach is limited by the 9" handle. Unless you have incredibly long arms, a few fish may get away. But this thing is a master at what it's built to do, and if catch and release in streams and lakes is what you're into, you'll love it. This model's classy style and quality construction also make it a great gift to your angling loved ones.
If you want to turn some heads at the dock, look no further than the Bubba Landing Net. Not only is it beautifully designed with its carbon fiber shaft, oversize red rubber grip, and a seriously impressive reinforced aerospace aluminum connection between the pole and the hoop, but it can handle some seriously big lake and ocean fish, too. The crosshair notches on the bottom of the handle are a nice touch to keeping this prized possession in your rod holder during rough seas.
All that said, you'll pay a hefty price to have the flashiest and most durable fishing net. And on top of that, there are a few other downsides. For one, the net seems rather shallow for a tool designed to pull in a 75-pound monster. Plus, even with the carbon fiber shaft, the rod is quite heavy, and you would most definitely need to keep two hands on it at all times. But for dedicated anglers going for the big catch and need a model that can handle it, the Bubba Landing Net may be just what you need. Just be prepared for some sticker shock.
Frabill has been around since 1938, and they've made some great products over the years. And while the Frabill Folding Net with Telescoping Handle doesn't quite live up to their typically high standards, it still does offer some excellent features, including an easily foldable and portable net with a quick extending handle. The hoop is also relatively large for the size of the landing net, and we had no problem scooping up more substantial fish.
On the downside, both the net material and the telescoping handle feel flimsy to our testers. The aluminum handle feels like it could potentially bend, especially when extended and pulling in a more substantial catch. The net material turned out to be prone to hook entanglements, which we all know is very frustrating. While there may be better options out there in this category, the Frabill Folding Net with Telescoping Handle is still a good buy for the price.
Ideal for fishing off a boat in a lake or out at sea, the Wakeman Fishing Retractable Rubber Landing Net gives you the reach and net size to land small to medium size fish. The aluminum handle pulls out of the hoop quickly so that you can store the whole setup out of the way, and the thermal plastic rubber net material reduces tangles and is easy on fish.
But from there on out, this net falls short in several areas. For one, the grip doesn't provide just that, much grip. Also, it's very short, so two-handed use is more complicated. The connection between the pole and the hoop doesn't seem very solid, and we could imagine this being a problem when landing a heavier fish. It also comes with a flimsy wrist least, which could spell trouble because this net will sink if dropped in the water. With all that said, the Wakeman Fishing Retractable Rubber Landing Net is reasonably priced and will get the job done in most situations.
If you want the lightest and most space-saving design in a fishing net, look no further than the RESTCLOUD Fishing Landing Net with Telescoping Handle. With the handle fully extended, you'll have an impressive 50" reach, and when folded up, you can easily slip this in your backpack for a hike out to your go-to fishing hole.
Unfortunately, you might not be using this landing net for very long. We feel that this model isn't built with durability in mind, hence the price, and when fully extended, the handle feels like it might snap even without a fish in it. Still, it did hold up during our testing period and remains fully functional after landing several smaller fish. The nylon mesh net material is also prone to getting hooks caught in it, and if you drop it in the water, get ready to find a new net, because this one sinks. Our testers recommend finding a different option to spend your money on.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our lead reviewer, Kit Smith, has been fishing on streams, lakes, bays, and oceans for over 35 years. Growing up around the San Francisco Bay, he started at a young age fishing for salmon and halibut in the Bay and in the waters outside the Golden Gate Bridge. His family also owned a cabin in Bear Valley, a small resort community in the Central Sierras, where he got hooked on fishing local streams and lakes. Later, he moved to Colorado to attend college where he would pick up fly fishing and continue perfecting his angling craft.
Testing took place in streams and lakes around Mammoth Lakes, California, as well as in the Lake Tahoe Basin and the coast of Southern California. Our lead tester fished from boats and shorelines to test each model in multiple environments. We hooked and landed dozens of fish in the process of testing these products, helping us hone in on key performance differences between each model. Impressions were gained by taking each net out into the field and getting a feel for the durability, as well as the versatility and portability. Detailed notes were taken from professional fishers and taken into consideration. Once we understood the advantages of each landing net, we compared them side-by-side to truly figure out the differences. Both our field testing and side-by-side comparisons inform the rankings and recommendations found in this article.
Analysis and Test Results
Besides extensive field testing, the five metrics that we assessed for each fishing net are Portability, Versatility, Ease of Use, Durability, and Fish Care. Each of these is discussed in greater detail below.
Portability
A lot of fishing is done on hard to reach streams and lakeshores, so it makes sense to include portability as a metric. Having a fishing net that can fold up and easily stow away in a backpack is vital when trying to get to your favorite fishing spot. Portability can also be necessary when using a kayak or small boat where space is limited.
When it comes to maximum portability, the Plusinno Foldable Net and the Frabill Folding Net take the top spots. While the Plusinno takes the cake for most portable while still handling to rigors of landing fish well, folding to a length of just 17", the KastKing Madbite Folding Landing Net also ranks high in this category and comes with a carry case. Of course, portability can come at a cost, as the very most packable fishing net, the RESTCLOUD Net, didn't impress with its seemingly poor construction and cheap materials.
Versatility
Having a net that can do it all is one of the most important metrics to consider. No use in buying and bringing multiple nets when one will do. But not all landing nets are created equal. The Ego S1 Genesis is the clear winner here. With 30 plus attachments, from different types of fishing nets to a gaff to a deck brush, you can do just about anything with one pole. And you can even get different lengths of poles and extendable ones as well.
In contrast, while they are high-quality products, the Bubba Landing Net and SF Fly Fishing Landing Net are really only made for one type of fishing (saltwater trophy hunting and catch and release, respectively), and because of that, they don't score highly in the versatility metric.
Ease of Use
This might be the most important metric we tested. If it's not easy to use, it likely won't be in your fishing arsenal for long. A standout in this category is the Bubba Landing Net, with functional style, nondetachable pole, and solid grip made it easy to grab quickly and scoop up the larger fish we caught during testing.
With its classic construction and limited features, the SF Fly Fishing Landing Net also proved strong in this metric. While it didn't score high in the versatility department, it's a purpose-built design meant it was about as easy to use as you can get for a fishing net. The KastKing Madbite fits the easy to use bill, too. It floats, it folds and unfolds smoothly, it has a relatively large hoop opening, and it has a ruler on the handle to measure your every catch.
Durability
This is a tough metric to determine within a limited time frame. But experience, hands-on feel, visual stress on the handle, and materials utilized in the design can tell you a lot. There were some standouts based on initial feel and actual field testing. The KastKing Madbite just felt like it was built to last right out of the bag. Speaking of bags though, that's about the only thing that probably wouldn't last long with this net. It was already showing clear signs of wear after a few outings.
The true king of durability, though, is the Bubba Landing Net. With a carbon-fiber shaft, aerospace aluminum hoop, and massive rubber grip, we can imagine this thing could last a very long time with the right care. Of course, as the most expensive fishing net we tested, that durability comes at a cost.
Fish Care
With catch and release becoming more and more popular, we think this is an important metric to include. Older nets with their thin string netting material would often harm the fish and reduce the chances of survival once released. Now with new, thicker rubberized netting material, the fish are treated to a much more gentle experience that boosts their chances of making it once released.
As a net explicitly designed for catch and release, the SF Fly Fishing Landing Net is the clear winner here. Its soft rubber was very gentle on the fish, and the transparent netting is designed to avoid spooking them as we scooped them up. But many of the nets came with a rubberized coating that worked in much the same fashion, including the Plusinno Foldable Net, the KastKing Madbite, and the Wakeman Fishing Retractable Net. If you plan on doing a lot of catch and release fishing, you'll want to seriously consider these landing nets.
Conclusion
The need for a reliable fishing net is about as old as fishing itself. The most important consideration for you is all about the style of fishing you're looking to do. Are you itching to get off the beaten path and find a small stream or lake, or are you going way offshore in search of that trophy fish? Whatever it is, there's a landing net here designed just for you. And luckily, in this case, price does not entirely determine the best product for the job. We hope this article has been informative in your search. Now get out there and reel in, net, and land the catch of the day.
— Kit Smith