Landing nets: rubber, knotless and the ones to avoid
Notes from the counter at Coney Island Hook and Bait Shop in Brooklyn, NY.
Mesh type decides fish damage
Knotted nylon mesh scrapes the protective slime coat off a fish and can damage fins and eyes. Knotless and rubber-coated meshes cause far less harm and are now standard where release is expected.
Rubber mesh also does not tangle hooks, which saves considerable time.
Hoop size and handle length
From a pier or a high bank you need reach; from a kayak you do not. A long handle in a small boat is awkward and a short one on a pier is useless.
Telescopic handles compromise on both and are the sensible choice if you fish from more than one position.
Foldable versus fixed
Folding nets travel and store far better, which means they get brought along. A fixed net is marginally stronger but frequently left at home.
The net you have with you is the one that lands the fish.
Weight matters when extended
A net that feels light at your side can be very heavy at full extension with a fish in it. Aluminium and carbon handles make a real difference at reach.
Test the extended balance rather than the folded weight.
Magnetic releases for fly anglers
A magnetic release holds a net on the back of a vest and lets it come free instantly with one hand. For wading it is significantly faster than unclipping anything.
The trade is that a strong magnet can catch on branches.
Rinse and dry before storing
Salt left in mesh degrades the coating and the cord. A rinse and a hang to dry is a two minute job that adds seasons.
Storing a net wet in a bag is how mesh rots.
Where this sits in the shop
Coney Island Hook and Bait Shop groups its stock into 5 categories, so most of what is discussed above lives in one or two of them:
- Landing Nets — 2 items
- Pliers and Grippers — 10 items
- Tackle Kits — 3 items
- Tools and Knives — 8 items
- Towels and Storage — 3 items
Browsing by category is usually quicker than searching, because the groups follow how the goods are actually used rather than how a supplier lists them.
The largest group at the moment is Landing Nets with 2 items, and the smallest is Towels and Storage with 3. Those counts move as stock comes in and goes out, so they are worth checking rather than assuming.
From our shelves
A few items currently in stock that relate to this article:
- 2-in-1 Fish Lip Gripper, One-Finger Operation Aluminum Alloy Fish Gripper with Scale, 60lb Weighing Fish Grabber for Large Fish, 360° Swivel Handle, Corrosion-Resistant for Saltwater & Freshwater
- KastKing SteelStream 8pc Fishing Tool Kit, Fishing Gear and Gifts for Men
- RoundFunny 10 Pcs Fishing Tool Kit Fishing Gear Equipment for Men
- PLUSINNO 264/397pcs Fishing Accessories Kit, Organized Fishing Tackle Box with Tackle Included, Fishing Hooks, Fishing Weights Sinkers, Swivels, Beads, Fishing Gear Set Equipment for Bass Trout
Across the whole catalogue prices currently run from $5.86 to $51.24, with most of the range clustered around the middle of that span. Stock and prices on the product pages are live, so they are the figures to trust rather than anything quoted in an article.
Ordering, delivery and returns
Free US shipping on orders over $50; a flat $6.95 below that. Orders are picked and packed at the Brooklyn store on business days, and a tracking number follows by email once the carrier scans the parcel.
If something is not right, there are 30 days from delivery to send it back unused and in its packaging. The full detail is on the Shipping Policy and Returns and Refunds pages, and the FAQ covers the questions that come up most.
How we decide what to stock
Coney Island Hook and Bait Shop carries fishing tools, tackle kits and landing nets, and the range is deliberately narrower than a warehouse catalogue. A line earns its place by being asked for repeatedly at the counter in Brooklyn and by coming back without complaints — not by having the widest margin.
When something stops meeting that bar it comes off the shelf rather than being discounted until it moves. That is why the catalogue on this site changes slowly and why the specification tables on the product pages quote the maker rather than our own marketing.
Quick answers
Will these tools survive salt water?
The rack is stocked with salt in mind — stainless, aluminium and coated finishes. Rinse them in fresh water at the end of the day and they last seasons.
What is a lip gripper for?
It holds a fish securely by the jaw so you can unhook it without squeezing the body. The non-puncture models we stock are the ones to use if you are putting the fish back.
Related reading
Other notes from the same shelf that pick up where this one stops:
- Lip grippers: choosing one that does not injure the fish
- A tackle box that is actually organised
- Knot tying tools: when they help and when to learn the knot
Coming to the store
Coney Island Hook and Bait Shop is at 2879 W 24th St, Brooklyn, NY 11224. Opening hours are Mon-Wed 08:00-18:00 | Thu 08:00-18:30 | Fri-Sun 07:00-18:30, and it is worth calling ahead on +1 347-312-3868 if you are travelling specifically for one item, because stock on the shop floor and stock listed online are the same pool.
Anything discussed in this article can be looked at in person before buying. If you would rather order online, the same stock ships from this address — nothing is drop-shipped from a third party warehouse, which is why the despatch address on your parcel matches the shop.
Ask us directly
If this has not answered your question, the counter is open Mon-Wed 08:00-18:00 | Thu 08:00-18:30 | Fri-Sun 07:00-18:30. Call +1 347-312-3868 or use the contact page — a person reads it, and you will get an answer within a business day.