Bigger is better when it comes to landing nets—until it’s time to store one within the confines of a skiff or small bay boat, which rarely includes stowage for beach-ball-size hoops. Enter these collapsible models, which feature a compact storage size but unfurl to end big battles.
Bass Pro Shops Gold Series Folding Landing Net, $40
Like an umbrella, this clever landing net packs tightly around the handle to let it slide into the tightest spaces. Yet the 26-by-25-inch landing net deploys with a fast, one-handed operation, and the handle telescopes from 35 to 62 inches to spare anglers’ backs. Bonus: The net is easily replaced.
Stowmaster Saltwater Series Landing Net, $230
Collapsible yet strong, this model pairs aircraft-grade extruded aluminum with rubber-dipped, knotless nylon netting (24-by-28 inches) that preserves fishes’ delicate slime layer and helps them survive the fight. That netting also resists tangles, and the hoop collapses to half its size. The handle extends like a go-go-gadget arm to 84 inches, and a lifetime warranty makes good on (unlikely) damage.
