Nylon Mesh Nets Strip More Slime Coat Than Bare Hands Do
The EGO S2 Slider is a strong all-around fishing net, telescoping handle, rubber mesh for fish protection, and a large hoop that handles bass, trout, and most freshwater species anglers target in the Northeast.
| Product | Verdict | Approx. price | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| EGO S2 Slider | Best all-around | $55-$75 | Check price |
| Frabill Power Stow | Best folding net for kayaks | $45-$60 | |
| Frabill Teardrop Floating Trout Net (13" x 18") | Best budget rubber mesh net | $40-$50 | Check price |
A largemouth bass held in nylon mesh for even a few seconds can lose enough of its protective slime coat to raise its risk of infection after release, a finding CT DEEP's freshwater fisheries guidance cites when it recommends rubber or rubber-coated mesh for catch-and-release trips. Anglers fishing designated stretches like the Housatonic River Trout Management Area or the Farmington River TMA are required to use single, barbless hooks under current CT DEEP regulations, and the net a fish lands in matters as much as the hook it's caught on. Cheap knotted nylon mesh tangles hooks, abrades fins, and strips slime coat. Rubber mesh nets in the $30-$80 range solve all three problems, and which one makes sense depends more on where you fish than on price.
Some links are affiliate links — we disclose them and earn a small commission at no cost to you. We never accept payment for favorable coverage. If something isn't worth your money, we say so.
EGO S2 Slider
Best all-aroundThe EGO S2 comes up often in kayak and small-boat angler gear discussions as a one-net solution for freshwater trips. The telescoping handle addresses the storage problem that keeps full-size nets off small boats, collapsed it stows against a gunwale or kayak deck, extended it gives the reach to land a fish at arm's length. Rubber mesh keeps hooks from tangling and doesn't strip slime coat the way knotted nylon does. For anglers who don't want to carry more than one net, this is typically the one recommended.
Frabill Power Stow
Best folding net for kayaksKayak anglers who need deck storage without a net protruding into casting zones consistently point to the Power Stow in gear-thread discussions on kayak fishing forums. The folding mechanism deploys when needed and lies flat when it isn't. Rubber mesh keeps it catch-and-release friendly on CT trout streams and TMAs, where barbless hooks tangle less in coated mesh. For kayak bass and trout fishing, this is commonly the pick anglers land on after trying a fixed-handle net first.
Frabill Teardrop Floating Trout Net (13" x 18")
Best budget rubber mesh netFor trout stream fishing on waters like the Farmington River, the Frabill Floating Trout Net gives rubberized-mesh protection at a price point anglers on a budget don't need to justify. The fixed short handle and 13"x18" hoop make it less versatile than the EGO S2, but for anglers primarily wading trout streams who don't need a telescoping handle, it typically covers what's needed without overspending.
Buying guide
**Rubber mesh vs. nylon mesh:** Rubber or rubber-coated mesh is what CT DEEP's freshwater fisheries guidance recommends for catch-and-release fishing. Traditional knotted nylon mesh strips the protective slime coat from fish, damages fins, and causes abrasions, all of which raise the odds of post-release infection or mortality. Rubber mesh is gentler, hooks tangle less, and the extra cost is minimal.
**Hoop size:** Match hoop size to the largest fish you expect to land. A 16"×14" hoop handles most trout and bass under 3 lbs, which covers the bulk of what anglers report landing on CT trout streams. A 20"×18" hoop handles larger bass, pike, and salmon-class fish. When in doubt, size up. A fish that doesn't fit on the first pass is exhausted and at greater risk.
**Handle length for kayak vs. boat vs. bank:** A short (24") handle works when the fish comes alongside a boat. A longer handle (36"-48") reaches further from a kayak or riverbank, where the angler is farther from the fish. Telescoping handles cover both situations without needing two nets.
**Regulations on Trout Management Areas:** Stretches like the Housatonic River TMA and the Farmington River TMA require single, barbless hooks and catch-and-release for most of the season, per CT DEEP's current angler's guide. A rubber mesh net that doesn't snag barbless hooks matters more on these waters than on a general stocked pond.
**Magnetic release clips:** Several nets include a magnetic clip that attaches to a PFD or wading vest and releases with a pull. Wading anglers who need both hands free for the rod and reel report this as one of the more useful add-ons.
EVERY SATURDAY MORNING
Weekly fishing intelligence
Nationwide conditions, what's biting, and honest gear deals. One email, no noise.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.