Why More CT Anglers Are Switching to Rubber Mesh Landing Nets

Anglers who fish CT bass tournaments on lakes like Candlewood and Squantz Pond, and kayakers working the fall striper run along the Sound, report the same lost-fish story more than any other: a solid fish makes it boatside, gets grabbed bare-handed or scooped in the wrong net, and kicks free at the worst possible moment. The consensus among tournament co-anglers and stream waders alike is that net choice matters almost as much as net size — rubber bag or nylon, telescoping handle or fixed, wading net or boat net. None of that gets sorted out mid-fight. The breakdown below sorts by use case — bass boats, kayaks, wading trout streams, and shore fishing — with picks that are actually worth the money as of spring 2026.

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