• You need to be a registered member of Barbel Fishing World to post on these forums. Some of the forums are hidden from non-members. Please refer to the instructions on the ‘Register’ page for details of how to join the new incarnation of BFW...

Landing Net Questions

M

Marcus Wilson

Member
Hi Everyone,

I need to replace my landing net and wondered what you all rate most for your barbel fishing.

I have been using a gardner spoon which now needs replacing and although thankfully it's seen plenty of use I am not sure I'm massively impressed in the quality as it's only a season old and has already been repaired due to the arms coming loose and it's now worse than ever, tbh the extendable handle I've used in conjunction with it is also a gardner and this too is now in a sorry state and needs replacing.

Is there anything out there that would perform well in fast flowing water and do you guys use a net float, I did when I used to fish stillwaters but I'm not sure if it would help or hinder on the river.

Thanks

Marcus
 
The Gardner net has changed, I've recently bought a couple of spares from different suppliers, the last one I bought has a thicker diameter frame and the whole net is more rounded than the elipse of the previous version. I'll be sticking with the Gardner after taking the usual precaution of supergluing the screws. Only downside for me is that it is prone to tearing around the frame when on rocky rivers. Cheap enough to replace though, can be bought for around £17 if you shop around.
 
I've used the large Gardiner spoon very regularly over the past two seasons and am pleased with it, .. although the spreader block could have been more robust I've had no issues so far. The wrap over the frame is fraying slightly I notice, but it's done over 100 sessions and for 20 odd quid I've no complaints.

https://barbel.co.uk/site/vbulletin/forum/members/picture.php?albumid=561&pictureid=5990

Ps... I would imagine a net float would increase flow drag on some rivers and could make holding a net in strong flows more difficult in some situations Marcus.
 
Marcus Wilson said:
tbh the extendable handle I've used in conjunction with it is also a gardner and this too is now in a sorry state and needs replacing . What's wrong with the handle Marcus I know there on the heavy side but imo there indestructible, a lot of anglers on here recommend the drennan super specialist ext handle.
Click to expand...
 
I've always favoured triangular nets, and last season I replaced all of my old ones with Korum folding nets. I tend to use the 28" one for all of my non-pike river fishing and they are proven to handle (and be safe for) double figure barbel with ease. Not that I've ever landed a double figure barbel in it:p

Handle wise I generally use a 2m NGT, which is nice and sturdy, although it's not really long enough for a lot of the riverbanks I fish, so I also have a Lineaffe 5m handle, which is quite floppy, but acceptable until I can afford to splash out on something a bit better made.

I tried net floats a couple of times, but never got on with them and found that they hindered getting the fish into the net. But it's probably down to personal preference.
 
Dave Brooksbank said:
Marcus Wilson said:
tbh the extendable handle I've used in conjunction with it is also a gardner and this too is now in a sorry state and needs replacing . What's wrong with the handle Marcus I know there on the heavy side but imo there indestructible, a lot of anglers on here recommend the drennan super specialist ext handle.
Click to expand...

Hi Dave,

The screw fixing seems to be working loose regularly and is now taped into position. It did seem and indestructible piece of kit but maybe this is just an exception.


Thanks

Marcus
Click to expand...
 
I didn't like the Drennan twist lock so I purchased a Drennan series 7 3.3m extra strong carp match 3 section take apart landing net pole, what I liked was I could use my small pan for chub fishing at 3.3 m and use the Gardner specialist pan on the two bottom stiffer sections. The pole has two brass ferrules so I simply don't carry the top section when I go barbel fishing. Generally find 2.3m enough.
 
I've been using the Korum Latex Barbel Spoon 27" Net for the last 2 sessions. Found the grub screw got a bit loose so i tightened them up and put a spot of super glue on each one. I've found the net very strong even catches it on the thorns that is hard enough to rip trousers and with a good shake, it's dry. The 27 inch version that i have has the same net area as a 42 inch triangle net. I have found it large enough for the size of Chub and Barble where i fish
 
I fully appreciate the shake and dry merits of latex nets plus the advantage of them being less inclined to snag etc, but some of those that I've looked at just don't seem deep enough to retain a decent barbel in for recovery.
Depends on the bank features of course.
I brought a Wychwood 28" extendible rover last year for rolling and wading which incorporated a latex shallow net. Good piece of kit, but even the tackle shop owner agreed that the net was too shallow for barbel retention, so we fitted a deeper standard mesh ( for no extra fee) before buying,..

https://barbel.co.uk/site/vbulletin/forum/members/picture.php?albumid=496&pictureid=6022

The chap even threw in the original net for nothing,.. so anyone interested in an unused 28" latex spoon ( net only) who wants to collect,.. you can have it .
 
Had one spoon net didn't like it at all. Now using Drennan 32lnch triangle net last few seasons and very pleased with it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top