Grumpy old barbel anglers look away now - it's a landing net thread!

[Graham Hunt]

New Fox large specialist spoon net very very strong and light, and big enough for the largest Barbel, nice soft touch net with a good water flow through it and it is great value at about £16.00. less with discount.....and yes I am a old and grumpy Barbel hunter, but I know a good landing net when I see it

I bought this on Lawrence's recommendation. Very pleased with it.

 

[Paul Cahill]

Although I prefer to use a fixed rim spoon net, when a long hike to the swim is involved I've been using the folding Korum spoon net. I bought it early last season and haven't managed to break it yet. The stitching on the bag it comes in is a bit feeble but other than that I've no complaints regarding the net at present.

I think I will go for that, then Peter. Need one for Friday.

 

[Paul Cahill]

Paul - sorry to hear of your Wychwood woes. I haven't have the same problem, but understand how easy it is to lose faith with a product when it breaks, inexplicably. I've landed a medium (8-8, though some would saw small) barbel and the net was fine.

I've landed them to over 11lb in that net, Richard, but it was a 5lber in a nice flat swim which broke it.

I did email Wychwood about warranty, as I only bought it last September, but they want it returning to the dealer and i bought it online, so all that hassle and expense isn't worth it. I wouldn't want a replacement anyway.

 

[Mark Swaby]

I found a broken Wychwood net on a local river last winter dumped by someone.Took home and removed the netting which seems spot on,pity the frame can be broken too easily.The net will fit my mates round leeda predator net the mice got at.The frame of which will never break, good thing recycling.

 

[Dave Taylor]

NEW LARGE FISHING LANDING NET WITH POLE FOR CARP, PIKE, BARBEL- FISHING TACKLE | eBay

Bargain !

 

[Paul Cahill]

Fair play to Wychwood. They've just contacted me and offered me a free replacement. Pity I've ordered the Korum one earlier but I guess I can keep one in my quiver as a spare just in case it happens again!

 

[Dave Taylor]

I've been using the larger ABU net for the past 3-4 years now ( only to wind Dave up ! ) and have not had any issues , always support the arms when lifting a fish and make sure the arms are right home when setting up. I brought it because I wanted a large collapsible spoon net that would fold down small enough to fit into the larger Korum quiver.
I can't say it was a bargain though, because after casting an engineers eye over it I brought two in case it let me down, so I could always have a spare in the motor.
My mate also brought one and promptly lost it when it pulled out of his quiver on the walk back one night, ... he replaced like for like only to bust the plastic spreader block when landing a fish by not pushing one of the glass arms right home.
He brought a rigid upmarket non collapsible spoon in Ringwood last year and tucks it into his Fox chair .
Seems to me that the majority of the spoon nets are like the "waterproof" boots, in that they are not always fit for purpose .
It would be so easy for manufacturers to address the common problems and weaknesses by using less plastic and more stainless with spreader blocks and screw fittings. As usual it's all about cost margines , but they've almost become desposible items, ..... nice to see Mark doing a bit of recycling !
I keep looking at Salmon nets, but am not sure about how interchangable the short handles would be for a longer one and they are not always big enough for retaining/ reviving a fish imo.