Picking the Best Kayak Fishing Net for Your Set up
Locating the best kayak fishing net will be one of individuals things you don't actually think about till you're sitting reduced in the drinking water using a massive, upset fish thrashing right against your hull. If you've ever attempted to lip the fish while handling in the narrow plastic boat, you know exactly how quickly things can go sideways—literally. A good net isn't just a luxury; it's the difference in between an excellent photo plus a "the one particular that got away" story that nobody actually believes.
Kayaking presents some unique challenges that boat or lender anglers just don't deal with. You're cramped, you're close to the drinking water, and your variety of motion is incredibly limited. Because of that, the net you used upon your uncle's bass boat probably isn't going to reduce it here. Let's break down exactly what actually makes the net worth having when you're out there on the yak.
Why You Can't Just Make use of Any Old Net
A lot of people start out there using whatever cheap net they find in the bargain bin at the particular local tackle store. I've been right now there. But here's the problem: those long-handled, heavy hoops are usually a nightmare to store on the kayak. They get in the method of your sending your line, they catch the particular wind like a sail, and they're usually a tangle waiting to happen.
The best kayak fishing net must be a specific mix of reachable plus stowable. You need plenty of handle length to scoop a fish before it dives under your kayak (where it'll unavoidably snap your collection on the rudder), but you don't desire a six-foot pole sticking out of your crate like the radio antenna. It's all about that nice spot.
Plastic Mesh is the Game Changer
If you're nevertheless using those old-school green nylon netting, do your favour and stop. Significantly. Nylon is horrible for two main reasons. First, it's brutal around the fish. It rubs off their protective slime coat and may divided their fins, which isn't great in the event that you're a catch-and-release angler.
Second, and more significantly for your state of mind, hooks love nylon. There will be nothing more annoying than landing the fish, simply to invest twenty minutes untangling a treble lift from a web of string while your kayak drifts into a lily pad field.
The best kayak fishing net will almost constantly have a ghost-style or solid rubber mesh. Rubber is definitely way gentler on the fish, and tow hooks usually just appear right out. As well as, rubber doesn't soak up water or fish smells nearly just as much, so your garage area won't smell like a rotting pier the next day.
The "Oops" Factor: Why This Needs to Drift
Let's become real to get a second—everything on a kayak eventually ends up in water. Regardless of whether you knock it over together with your elbow or it slipping out of your own hand while you're distracted by a big catch, points go overboard. If your net doesn't drift, it's gone.
I've watched plenty of costly gear sink straight into the dark absolute depths of a river, and it's the soul-crushing feeling. Whenever you're looking intended for the best kayak fishing net, check if the handle or the hoop has built-in flotation. Some have foam-filled frames, while others have a buoyant grip. If you discover a net you love that doesn't float, do your self a favor and zip-tie an item of a pool noodle to the handle. It looks a little bit goofy, but it'll save you $50.
Finding the Right Handle Duration
Handle duration is a tricky a single. If it's too short, you're leaning way out off the ledge of your kayak to reach the fish, which is a great method to take a good accidental swim. If it's too long, it's awkward to maneuver with one hand while you're holding your fishing rod with the additional.
Most kayak anglers find that a handle among 12 and twenty-four inches may be the "Goldilocks" zone. Some high end nets have increasing handles that you could deploy with a singke hand. Individuals are great, yet even a fixed-length short handle will be usually better than a standard boat net. You want some thing you can grab rapidly from a rod owner or a gear monitor without having to do the gymnastics routine.
Hoop Shape and Size
Size matters, yet bigger isn't usually better. You need a ring that's wide sufficient for the species you're targeting, but not so big it becomes a giant wind-catcher on the back of the ship.
Intended for most freshwater kayak fishing—think bass, crappie, or trout—a medium-sized hoop is lots. If you're looking for big north pike or redfish, you'll obviously need to scale up. A "teardrop" or even "flat-front" shape is normally the most popular because it lets you scoop the seafood head-first more quickly when they're right up contrary to the part of the kayak.
Storage and Accessibility
You've got limited real estate property on a kayak. Every square inch is precious. The best kayak fishing net should suit comfortably into a standard PVC pole holder or be able to cut on your crate.
I personally prefer a net with a somewhat tapered handle that fits snugly in to the molded-in pole holders behind my seat. That way, I actually can reach back again, grab it by hoop, and have it ready within seconds. Some guys like using magnet releases or lanyards, which are great for ensuring you don't lose the net, but just make sure the cord is long enough that it doesn't jerk the particular net out of your hand whenever you're reaching for the fish.
Fat and Material
Since you're probably doing everything with one hand, weight is a huge factor. Carbon fiber frames are the gold regular because they're incredibly light and they will don't rust, but they also cost a pretty dime. Aluminum is the solid middle-ground—it's light, durable, and inexpensive. Make absolutely certain it's anodized aluminum if you're fishing in saltwater, or it'll be a corroded mess within a 30 days.
Don't disregard the grip, possibly. When your hands are slimy, moist, and maybe a little cold, the smooth plastic handle is basically an ice cube. Appear for something with a foam or even textured rubber grasp so you can actually keep onto the thing when it matters most.
Is the Net Even Required?
I get asked this sometimes by people who are trying in order to keep their kayak as "minimalist" as possible. "Can't I just lip the particular bass or work with a fish grip? "
Sure, you can. But here's the factor: kayak fishing puts you in an odd angle. In case a fish decides to perform a single last "death roll" right as you reach for its mouth, a lure along with two treble hooks can easily end up in your hand instead of the particular fish. A net provides a basic safety buffer between a person, the fish, and the ones sharp hooks. Plus, it's much more secure for the fish. Keeping them within the net, within the water, as you get your pliers ready is the particular best way to ensure they swim apart healthy.
Last Thoughts on Choosing Your Net
At the finish of the time, the best kayak fishing net is definitely the one that stays from your method until you require it, and then functions perfectly the minute you grab this. You don't need the most costly bit of gear on the market, however you should definitely spend in something which floats and has the rubber mesh.
Think about how you fish. When you're in a 10-foot sit-in kayak, you'll want something really compact. If you're on a large 14-foot pedal drive stand-up rig, you might have the room intended for a slightly beefier net having a lengthier reach. Check out your own storage setup, consider the fish you're after, and pick something that feels balanced in a single hand. Once you start using a net that's actually designed for the sport, you'll wonder how a person ever managed without having it. Happy fishing, and stay dried out out there!