Nice Net Cheap
Started by
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, Jun 13 2007 01:43 PM
33 replies to this topic
#1
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Posted 13 June 2007 - 01:43 PM
I got a dip net at Dick's Sporting Goods that was labeled as a landing net (and had pretty deep netting). It has very fine mesh and a large diameter, it's made of pretty strong aluminum(?), and it was only 9.99. They also had seines for like 8.99 but I decided to try the dip net first. I'm a newbie, but this still might be worth looking into for those of you on a budget.
#2
Guest_killier_*
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Posted 13 June 2007 - 04:18 PM
I used to have one like that but it didnt catch small stuff or catfish very well because of its narrownessI got a dip net at Dick's Sporting Goods that was labeled as a landing net (and had pretty deep netting). It has very fine mesh and a large diameter, it's made of pretty strong aluminum(?), and it was only 9.99. They also had seines for like 8.99 but I decided to try the dip net first. I'm a newbie, but this still might be worth looking into for those of you on a budget.
#3
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Posted 13 June 2007 - 06:46 PM
I used to have one like that but it didnt catch small stuff or catfish very well because of its narrowness
Hm... it's about 18" wide I think... I've caught crayfish, gambusia, juvenile sunfish, and a darter in it so far. It's probably not perfect anyway, but I thought it might be worth alerting people. :S
#4
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Posted 13 June 2007 - 08:01 PM
I have not found any worthwhile dipnet at my local Dick's, and no seines at all. They did have 6' and 10' diameter cast nets, which are illegal here in Pennsylvania. The largest legal net is 4' diameter or 4' square. Yet there on the shelf were the illegal nets, while there were no legal, useful nets. Go figure.
#5
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Posted 13 June 2007 - 10:19 PM
I have not found any worthwhile dipnet at my local Dick's, and no seines at all. They did have 6' and 10' diameter cast nets, which are illegal here in Pennsylvania. The largest legal net is 4' diameter or 4' square. Yet there on the shelf were the illegal nets, while there were no legal, useful nets. Go figure.
That's frustrating... you'd think if they were going to vary merchandise by location they'd do it intelligently and responsibly... I know for a fact that it was a minnow seine at the one near me: I remember it being the same as one I'd seen on ebay.
#7
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Posted 29 October 2007 - 06:33 PM
The Dick's "landing" net is a good deal! Solid aluminum frame. The mesh is a little too fine for my tastes. It traps silt and makes it difficult to make passes once saturated. I also obtained a "trout" hand net for about $16. It had a much better mesh size. I basically exchanged nets. So for the price of one dipnet online shipped, I get two nets: one long-handled, one short.
#8
Guest_esoxandlepomislover_*
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Posted 30 October 2007 - 02:05 AM
The Dick's net is the best deal out there. It has about a 4 foot handle and it is durable for most applications. I use it frequently and my success is very good. I have captured madtoms, sunfish, pickerel, catfish, sticklebacks, mudminnows, assorted minnows, suckers, darters, and etc...
As a matter of fact, I went out on 10/29 and in 15 minutes, I had 2 bullhead, 6 sunfish, 6 mudminnows, 4 sticklebacks, largemouth bass, and a bunch of assorted invertebrates.
I got mine for 11 bucks. Now granted, the mesh is too small, so I switched out the net with the Frabil Trout Landing net (sold at Dicks as well). I bought both nets for under 30 bucks including tax.
Now I have two nets....I use the Trout Landing Net with fine mesh for landing trout. And I use my Dick's Net to continue my reign as extreme sampler extraordinaire (self-proclaimed title).
The mesh is 1/4 inch...
Judge for yourself.
M.
As a matter of fact, I went out on 10/29 and in 15 minutes, I had 2 bullhead, 6 sunfish, 6 mudminnows, 4 sticklebacks, largemouth bass, and a bunch of assorted invertebrates.
I got mine for 11 bucks. Now granted, the mesh is too small, so I switched out the net with the Frabil Trout Landing net (sold at Dicks as well). I bought both nets for under 30 bucks including tax.
Now I have two nets....I use the Trout Landing Net with fine mesh for landing trout. And I use my Dick's Net to continue my reign as extreme sampler extraordinaire (self-proclaimed title).
The mesh is 1/4 inch...
Judge for yourself.
M.
#10
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Posted 31 October 2007 - 07:01 PM
When it tears up go ahead and get a perfect dipnet
No way! Monorail nets are not immune from damage. It is easy to go to Dicks and pick up another net for less than what Jonah's charges for just the bare netting alone, never mind s/h. Around the hoop nets are also easy to repair when the tear is the part around the hoop--just loop around a string of nylon. The Dick's setup is "perfect" for casual samplers while the Perfect Dipnet is suitable for glorified Nanfa Elites.
#11
Guest_Irate Mormon_*
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Posted 31 October 2007 - 07:14 PM
Before I found the monorail net I used something similar to yours, but with a "D" frame. It did OK, it was just rather fragile. You can't really dig into the rocks with one, but it does OK for lots of stuff.
I'm not gonna touch the "elite" comment - I don't know anybody who would want to claim that moniker. I think we all equally view our natives with the same wide-eyed sense of wonder.
I'm not gonna touch the "elite" comment - I don't know anybody who would want to claim that moniker. I think we all equally view our natives with the same wide-eyed sense of wonder.
#12
Guest_teleost_*
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Posted 31 October 2007 - 07:20 PM
The Dick's setup is "perfect" for casual samplers while the Perfect Dipnet is suitable for glorified Nanfa Elites.
Wait a second....Glorified NANFA elite??? Where is the glory and how do I sign up for this club?
All kidding aside I can see how many might see on the surface unabashed net snobbery but I honestly believe you're just seeing a simple difference of opinion. One person might say that a casual user can have a "perfect" or a "cummings" dip net last for a great many years while another might believe a net at half or one quarter the price suits them fine at half or one quarter of the longevity.
Personally I have odd opinions about nets and I'm generally not all that shy about voicing my opinion.
#13
Guest_keepnatives_*
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Posted 31 October 2007 - 07:24 PM
Well, I don't know about the "NANFA Elites" but it certainly works well for hard, frequent use. I've used both types and there is no comparison when used a lot and really stuck into those brushy, thorny overhangs. Even with that kind of abuse my perfect dipnet lasted 2 and a half yrs and with my first net replacement I'm well on the way to beating that. Other nets wore out after one or two uses. Plus the flat bottom edge makes it easy to kick for darters and bottom dwellers. Depends what you're going for and how you use them.No way! Monorail nets are not immune from damage. It is easy to go to Dicks and pick up another net for less than what Jonah's charges for just the bare netting alone, never mind s/h. Around the hoop nets are also easy to repair when the tear is the part around the hoop--just loop around a string of nylon. The Dick's setup is "perfect" for casual samplers while the Perfect Dipnet is suitable for glorified Nanfa Elites.
#14
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Posted 31 October 2007 - 07:53 PM
I take offense to that, not one time has anyone ever said "My net cost more, that makes me a better collector"The Dick's setup is "perfect" for casual samplers while the Perfect Dipnet is suitable for glorified Nanfa Elites.
#15
Guest_esoxandlepomislover_*
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Posted 31 October 2007 - 11:58 PM
I take offense to that, not one time has anyone ever said "My net cost more, that makes me a better collector"
True...It was never said, but I can see how a different, subtle, and insidious message can be implied.
Having said that, and keeping true to the original post....the Dick's Net is a "Nice Net Cheap."
One thing is certainly clear....never....EVER...make fun of another man's net....
Any NANFA member should know that....since that net is an extension of one's soul...
Think about it....without a net....would there even be a NANFA????
M.
#16
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Posted 01 November 2007 - 06:53 AM
I agree I have one, it is cheap and nice,just not very durable. But to say that a person is a "glorified Nanfa Elite" because of what net they use, is not right. I personally use a "Cumings" dipnet, I have used others "perfect dipnet, and like them. The reason I bought my net was because it has proven to be durable by others here NANFA members or not. I went through 3 of the "Dick's" nets (@ $9.99 plus tax =~32.00) in a month (which figures to almost 12 nets total by now ~$125.00) before I got my Cumings ($36.00 delivered to my door)and it has been in use almost constantly since July. The 12 cheap nets vs. 1 durable net in my book is not really savings.True...It was never said, but I can see how a different, subtle, and insidious message can be implied.
Having said that, and keeping true to the original post....the Dick's Net is a "Nice Net Cheap."
One thing is certainly clear....never....EVER...make fun of another man's net....
Any NANFA member should know that....since that net is an extension of one's soul...
Think about it....without a net....would there even be a NANFA????
M.
So because I like saving money call me a "glorified Nanfa Elite" all you want!!!
Tom
#17
Guest_mishmosh_*
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Posted 01 November 2007 - 09:33 AM
My apologies for the "gNE" mutterings. I was half kidding and should have used a 
symbol. Although I have referred to various members as "Nanfa Elite" in private, it was only with the utmost respect.
Were I a hardcore or even hobbyist sampler, no doubt the Perfect Dipnet would be a worthy purchase. However, the Dick's net (mfg by Ranger) outfitted with the Dick's trout net (mfg by Frabill) costs less than $30 total (as above) and should peform far better and last longer than the stock Ranger fine-meshed landing net (see pics by esoxandlepomislover).
symbol. Although I have referred to various members as "Nanfa Elite" in private, it was only with the utmost respect.Were I a hardcore or even hobbyist sampler, no doubt the Perfect Dipnet would be a worthy purchase. However, the Dick's net (mfg by Ranger) outfitted with the Dick's trout net (mfg by Frabill) costs less than $30 total (as above) and should peform far better and last longer than the stock Ranger fine-meshed landing net (see pics by esoxandlepomislover).
#19
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Posted 01 November 2007 - 03:50 PM
Mine gets use almost daily,has been backed over twice,and accidentally left in a creek for a week before I found it again. It gets abused. Thorn bushes, snags, pond muck, beaver logs, snapping turtles. My net sees alot of action.Apparently I don't use my net hard enough
#20
Guest_esoxandlepomislover_*
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Posted 01 November 2007 - 06:28 PM
This is good....
I am glad there is closure, clarification, and forgiveness. Sometimes it is hard to read one's intent with email. Tone, emotion, and body language are absent in email (to some extent).
Word.
M.
I am glad there is closure, clarification, and forgiveness. Sometimes it is hard to read one's intent with email. Tone, emotion, and body language are absent in email (to some extent).
Word.
M.
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