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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: Replacement net for Frabill folding net?
 
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MagicStik
05/12/2016 08:24AM
  
quote RackWrangler: "So jerryr and Prthd69, you both replaced just the net on the foldable Frabill, and use it with no issues now? If so, do you happen to remember what size replacement net you used?



RW"


I think you can put just about any sized net on this. I went with a little deeper one to handle a larger pike...if needed.


Magic
 
RackWrangler
05/12/2016 09:27AM
  
Thanks for the help guys. I bought a net for a 17 x 19 hoop and it fit easily. Also, like Magic just mentioned, the net is about twice as deep, so bigger fish will easily fit.


-RW
 
hookset
05/16/2016 10:47AM
  
quote RackWrangler: "Yeah, I was looking at them when I was looking for solutions. The Promar folding net description says it has a "Knotless Catch & Release Nylon Mesh". Isn't that the same crap that I just replaced? The photo looks exactly like the netting on the Frabill. I've never handled one, so all I could go off of was the description and photo.



If it is rubberized, then it is a fantastic deal.



-RW"


In our group we have three of the Promar's and they are rubberized. Buddy had the Frabil and after fighting his during our first trip last year got one of the Promar's as soon as he got home.
 
jerryr
05/11/2016 07:20AM
  
Yep same experience. I replaced it with a hoop net. The typical nylon one. The hooks don't snag up nearly as much.
 
newguy
05/11/2016 08:36AM
  
If you have a bait with two trebles, you'll have a hard time. Crimp down the barbs on everything else and you should be fine. Keep the rod tip up and the bait shouldn't become tangled in the net.


Or maybe I'm missing something and the Frabill net is truly crappy.
 
RackWrangler
05/13/2016 09:34PM
  
Yeah, I was looking at them when I was looking for solutions. The Promar folding net description says it has a "Knotless Catch & Release Nylon Mesh". Isn't that the same crap that I just replaced? The photo looks exactly like the netting on the Frabill. I've never handled one, so all I could go off of was the description and photo.


If it is rubberized, then it is a fantastic deal.


-RW
 
jerryr
05/13/2016 12:53PM
  
Just got back from a business trip so I'm glad you figured out the size to use. That is what I used and have had zero problems with it and it was easy to replace too.
 
mpifkin
05/13/2016 01:15PM
  
One other point, but the Promar nets are under $20, typically $15-17 so why spend your time on renetting your Frabil when you can replace it with a better product for the same money?
 
fcrugbyhooker
05/11/2016 08:46AM
  
I just bought one for our June trip and have already used it for walleyes off the dock near home. It wasn't a problem with a jig but I'm glad I read this thread. Now I will hold off using it on lures with trebles unless it's a fish of a lifetime.....
 
RackWrangler
05/11/2016 09:17AM
  
So jerryr and Prthd69, you both replaced just the net on the foldable Frabill, and use it with no issues now? If so, do you happen to remember what size replacement net you used?


RW
 
MagicStik
05/11/2016 12:16PM
  
The mesh on this net is terrible. Just replace the netting and it will work fine. The mesh that comes with this net is not something you want to get a hook into! I cut all my hooks out until it would no longer hold fish. :)


It's still puzzles me why a company that specializes in making nets...would still be producing a product like this.


Magic
 
egknuti
05/12/2016 07:49AM
  
Yes. After I first used it, I had to cut out the hooks and the net was a mess. I swapped it out for a rubber coated net. No more problems!
 
RackWrangler
05/10/2016 08:37PM
  
I'm wondering if anyone has tried replacing the crappy net that comes on the Frabill folding net with a better net that will not eat hooks so readily? I've been checking the web, but haven't found any example of someone doing this mod. I like the folding part, but digging your hooks out of that mesh is a PITA.

I was looking into getting a net from a Solvkroken as it looks like it would be a direct swap, but I can't find any info on where to get a replacement net.

I'm wondering if a net from a hoop style landing net would work. I don't see why it wouldn't as long as it is a large enough opening and deep enough. Am I missing something?

I have a Frabill Power Stow that I'm considering bringing instead of the foldable because of the better net quality and ease of use, but it is over 3x the weight and size when folded...not sure it's worth it.

I'm not looking for a debate on to use or not to use a net. I use one for larger fish, but I don't fault others that don't. To each their own.

RW
 
05/10/2016 11:03PM
  
Oh crap- just got one of these for my June trip. Are they that bad?
 
saltdog
05/11/2016 07:02AM
  
It is difficult to get hooks out of the net -- but after our last trip to Quetico and using hooks that have had the barbs pinched down, it is much easier. We are going to continue to pinch our barbs even when fishing south of the border.
 
Prthd69
05/11/2016 07:12AM
  
I used the net one year and had the same experience. The next year I replaced it with a rubberized net from Frabil. It works just fine. I think it was $10-12.
 
RackWrangler
05/11/2016 09:20AM
  
quote : "Oh crap- just got one of these for my June trip. Are they that bad?"


No they are not. The net is a fine mesh that the hooks easily sink into/through. Getting barbs to back out of the mesh is next to impossible. Your choice is to either go barbless, or to cut the net to remove them. I like my barbs, so I just cut it. For the $15, it is probably the best canoeing net for the price, and you can replace it every year if you want to. The holes in the net are small, so even cutting through a few connectors won't allow a fish to get through. I'm just looking for a little less headache.


Limit your chances of getting hooks tangled by only using on fish with single hooks, or just on big fish. The net can handle quite a bit. I brought in my 9 pound walleye with that net. I just got him in head first, then lifted with on hand on the handle and the other on the far side of the net.


-RW
 
Huntindave
05/11/2016 09:33AM
  
quote saltdog: "It is difficult to get hooks out of the net -- but after our last trip to Quetico and using hooks that have had the barbs pinched down, it is much easier. We are going to continue to pinch our barbs even when fishing south of the border."


I agree going barbless is the way to go. Benefits include; easier to release unwanted fish, easier to release unwanted anglers, easier to remove from the net, easier to untangle from the over loaded tackle tray,,,,,,,,,, are you seeing a pattern here?


Try it, you'll like it.
 
mpifkin
05/13/2016 11:08AM
  
Promar nets


I had the same issue and found these. Promar collapsible nets have fixed my issues, haven't gotten a hook stuck since. Rubberized and small, lightweight package.


I get mine at JAX outdoors here in Ames, IA but I am sure they are available elsewhere too.
 
Captn Tony
05/14/2016 07:05AM
  
I had a cloth net and had nothing but problems. Purchased a promar and was happy with it.
 
Prthd69
05/12/2016 07:27AM
  
quote RackWrangler: "So jerryr and Prthd69, you both replaced just the net on the foldable Frabill, and use it with no issues now? If so, do you happen to remember what size replacement net you used?



RW"


I can't remember exactly. If I remember right it was an inch or so bigger. 20"? Sorry.