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landing net and handle

Darren Rosie

Senior Member
I'm currently using the drennan twist lock and a 32 inch net, but after having it spin around again on trying to land a fish in the dark it decided to rotate more than lvg, a change is needed after 4 years. What's the Gardner and lone angler handles like? Also going to change to a spoon net what's your recommendations
 
I had the same issue with the drennan handle and took a leap of faith and purchased the lone angler handle based on a conversation with another angler at throop. After around half a dozen sessions with it i can throughly recommend it built to last, it is slightly heavier than most others but nothing that is worth worrying about.

i can't see me purchasing another handle for a long time.
 
I like the Gardner barbel net, about £20, had mine about two years. Only issue was that the two arm retaining self-tapping screws came loose, now superglued in.
 
I like the Gardner barbel net, about £20, had mine about two years. Only issue was that the two arm retaining self-tapping screws came loose, now superglued in.

Had the same happen to mine and i just superglued them as well. I have the 30 and 26 inch korum folding nets and not had a problem with either.
 
Greys 28" Free flow specialist landing net

Greys Free Flow Specialist Nets feature super strong “D†shaped alloy frames, coupled with sturdy spreader blocks that won’t rock loose - thanks to double stainless steel screw anchoring. They have brass threads that won’t oxidise, along with robust triple stitched free-flow mesh, which cuts down on drag when submerged and prevents excess water retention when lifting fish. They are 75cm deep - perfect for Pike, Zander, Barbel, Carp etc.
Free-flow mesh
Triple stitched seams
Deep 75cm inside drop
Reinforced spreader blocks
Double stainless screw anchoring
Brass thread
Strong “D†section alloy frame £14.99
 
I changed over to the Gardner XT handle this year, the locking system is far better than the Drennan (IMHO) and the handle is miles lighter than my old Powerstretch, and also longer. Using it in conjunction with my old Middy barbel net and it's been great.
 
Drennan twistlock for me. I bought it 'as seen' second hand from a tackle shop, as it was stuck. Managed to loosen it then cleaned it at home and it's been fantastic ever since. Use it with a Gardner specialist Pan net (superglued screws as above).

However, upon reading this one could quite rightly say "dodgy locking mechanism and faulty design re the screws". But.....it works for me.
 
A big shout for the Gardner landing net pole, excellent. And second the Greys 28" specialist, excellent deep mesh good for resting fish.
 
I too have the Gardner 30" spoon net, but fortunately not had an issue with the screws yet. My only gripe with it is that the size and shape is brilliant for netting fish....but a real pain in the butt to transport to and between swims. It seems to grow in size then, and catch on everything...I certainly don't have anything wide enough to pack it in to render it less of a snag magnet.

That fact has led me to read every thread on every forum I know of, and ask around endlessly for opinions on folding net frames. The obvious answer is to revert to the standard wide front triangular carp style net, but I find they are OK in open swims...not good in tight ones. So, a good quality folding oval/spoon/D shaped net frame would seem to be a godsend. Sadly my research so far points to the fact that all of the existing versions of these seem to have major faults that cause them to fail sooner rather than later.

Why is it that tackle companies seem able to devise hundreds of ingenious variants of things that no one really wants....but fail miserably on things that would TRULY be useful? :D:D

Cheers, Dave.
 
Hasn't anyone made a stink bag for spoon landing nets of these proportions? It could be made to the spoon shape, zipped along one edge and have a shoulder strap.
 
Dinsmores Shake and Dry range (various sizes up to 30") come with a zipped bag. At around £16 inc postage could be worth considering. Well made bit of kit, maybe a little shallow on the net.

Regarding handles (couldn't resist!) the Gardner handle is a robust and functional bit of kit with a more reasonable value for money than the Drennan and LA - just my opinion. Gardner got the design right, Drennan has it flaws and LA, shorter and more expensive. The early 'plastic' end was a flawed idea from the start.
The Gardner net (apart from the loosening self tappers - easily rectified) is good.

Makes me wonder about the amount of development and design effort that goes into lots of fishing tackle.

Do I anticipate incoming?
 
net handle

I have a net handle two piece job made by Middy I belive its aluminium whatever It Is made of its bomb proof think It might have been designed for pike fishing.
Ok Its a little heavy but not a problem I just need to find a spoon net that matches its strength.
I currently use a korum folding spoon net and as yet its served me well although the biggest fish landed so far would be a carp around ten pounds.
The middy handle Is not that long even with the short"dolly" butt fitted about six foot but I have not come across a net designed for specimen fishing that Is much longer.
What Is It with tackle manufacturers these days Its as If they want there products to fail so anglers go out and buy another duffer doomed to fail and net handles and nets seem to be as bad as anything.
Oh and the handle Is green and has two black foam pieces on the handle and the whole thing Is coated In some sort of plastic that Is very durable indeed.
 
Agree with Bob - into month three with the Gardner handle and it seems a solid piece of kit to me, and cheaper than the Drennan as well.
 
I changed over to the Gardner XT handle this year, the locking system is far better than the Drennan (IMHO) and the handle is miles lighter than my old Powerstretch, and also longer. Using it in conjunction with my old Middy barbel net and it's been great.

Buy Steve's old Powerstretch handle off him (if you don't, I will?), and find yourself a secondhand Whitlock spoon...sorted!

I wouldn't swap this combination for anything, and I've tried them all.

Tim
 
Landing net & Handle

I also use the gardner landing net pole coupled up with the fox net best outfit I've had after trying quite a few before:)
 
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