Suggestions for a new landing net.

Brian - thanks for sharing that, I assumed it would float, so I just went back and read the details, and the Eco I bought with the rubber net does NOT float, but the nylon net version does. You probably just saved me $80.

That is a sickening feeling watching your hard earned gear sink to the bottom. I was out the Sunday before last, it hit 100 degrees, and I had just strung my new Lews rod and real with 17lb Nanofil (not cheap line either.). For some reason I removed the rod float when I restrung the reel. So it only goes to figure that on my second cast the rod flew out of my sweaty hand and to the bottom of the lake. I spent 45 minutes casting a deep diving crank bait trying to catch it on the bottom. Somehow, I got REALLY lucky, and hooked the Yamasenko that was tied to it! And was able to pul the rod and reel back in... Dumb luck, lesson learned. A float or a leash if you really care about it. I prefer floats as I am usually on inland lakes and stuff usually does not float far from my kayak.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

Lol I lost a fly rod last trip, it was vertical in the crate but I forgot to put the bungy on, just about got to it as the tip sank . Now I keep them laying down.


Brian

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On the bank of the Bow River

It must be in the air...I lost a sweet Shakespeare rod/reel combo I've had since the 80's this past week. I placed it in the rod holder behind the seat in my Revo, and when I went to get it, it was gone !!! No idea when it hit the water.
Also snapped a nice pair of sun glasses as well. A costly week of fishing. Sorry, but it looks like this thread has been hijacked.

Hijack away... Cannot tell you the number of time I have gone under trees and reached back for a rod and is not there, only to find it dangling from a branch!

The Ego showed up today after I got back from the lake. First impressions, after the initial unboxing. It's a nice net. I like the main net and handle a lot, but with the extension handle it is pretty heavy. I went shopping this evening for a float I can put on the handle. Pretty sure this thing will not only not float, but will sink like a rock. Also hit the home stores looking to see if I could find a shorter fixed handle for it. The extension handle that came with it is really a rebranded paint roller extension pole. Hoping to find something similar, but shorter that could also be made to float the net, either by filling with foam or some kind of foam grip. But it is an $80 net, so as stupid as it sounds I want it to look good! Maybe foam with a tennis racket grip around it.

Hitting the water for a few hours before work tomorrow, hopefully I can catch a couple of fish and try it out. I also finished flex sealing my $12 nylon Frabill. It actually came out pretty decent... Might give it a try tomorrow as well.

Who knew that finding the right net could take up so much of my time. I am exhausted!

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

I'm interested in hearing how that flex sealed net turned out. The last big fish I caught had my net pretty tangled up, but it was on the last drift of the day so I just dumped the net and fish in the back and headed in. Otherwise it would have been a mess clearing it on the water.

One of the best-new-products at iCast 2016 was a new net by Ego called the Kryptek Genesis S1. Clear rubber and it floats. Doesn't seem to be sold anywhere yet. Think I'll hold off buying an S2 or existing S1 until more details emerge.


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Would have like to have heard of that one before plopping down my dollars...but...this net is pretty nice. It's the pole that frustrates me. Was in Home Depot, they sell the same pole under the Shur-line Easy Reach brand. $18.54 for the 60" version. EGO's is $49. Feel like I wa robbed...but the again, it probably cost EGO $30.46 to apply their logo. But don't worry, buyers remorse is short lived. But I want people to learn from my mistakes. Think that is what makes this forum so great. People share their hard earned lessons both good and bad. I would buy the net again, in a heart beat...without the extension pole.

On to the next subject. Had a few people ask about the Flex Seal on the cheap nylon Frabill. It is actually pretty slick. The only problem is, it's kind of stiff right now. Not rigid by any means, but not nearly as pliable as the rubber net on the EGO. I think that it will loosen up after a few uses, though only time will tell if it holds up. But at $13 a pop, and the fact that it folds up and fits under, or behind the seat, or in the front hatch, it's kind of hard to scoff at it.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

Landed five fish with the EGO this morning. The net itself is fantastic, but with the extension handle, it is very heavy and unwieldy. It is going to take some getting used to. What surprised me was that I expected the net and base to float, but the heavy extension pole to sink like a rock. I was completely backward. The heavy extension handle actually floats, in fact it is the only thing keeping the main net floating at all. If you drop it in the water, with the extension handle on, you have about 20 seconds before water leaks into the connection between handle and base, and the whole thing heads south. Without the extension handle, the EGO with Rubber net starts to sink almost immediately.

I think I could put a little plumbers tape on the extension handle thread and make it air tight, and that would float the handle. You can see the air escaping from the base/extension handle in my photo below. Once that happens the whole thing is heading to the bottom of e lake.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

Leash it and be done with it!

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

I do not like leashing anything, that does not mean I don't, but I hate the mess, and think it gets dangerous...especially on rivers where a dangling leash can easily get caught and cause your kayak to dump in the current or worse. Plus, all the leashes just get in the way, tangled in lures, hung up in branches. Five rods, mirage drive, paddle, and net at a minimum plus Hog trough, fish grips, braid clips. There would be more line in my kayak than a guy climbing Everest. I mostly fish calm lakes, and I have floats on rods that rarely get in the way, if they fall in, they float and I reach in the water and retrieve them. Nothing on my paddle and I want nothing on my net, if possible. It is not too much to ask that an $80 net not sink.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

An $80 net should net the fish for you.....and maybe even clean them.....

I didn't read the fine print either. I'm glad I didn't test my rubber S1.

Looks good....I'll hold off myself. Word is they will be available in October.

Tackle Warehouse shows those Kryptek Genesis S1 nets as being in stock Oct 4th. $67-$70 depending on whether you want PVC or rubber netting. You can pre-order the nets now.

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Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

I am sure I will be ordering a new one after I lose this one overboard. Just about sunk mine this morning. Thank the Lord for a T-Reign (yes DrSteelHead I had it tethered!). I ordered a float online for the back of the handle - surprisingly could not find one locally at any of the Big Box guys like BassPro, Cabelas or Gander. Once that is on, the tether will come off.

FYI - the Flex Seal on the old Frabill Walmart special net met with mixed success. I think I might have applied it to thick as it works very well from the hookless perspective but it is very very stiff. I am sure over time it will loosen up, and it is fine for the guest kayak.

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STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937