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The Perfect Dipnet Questions

Started by Guest_bumpylemon_* , May 16 2010 06:47 PM

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19 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_bumpylemon_*

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Posted 16 May 2010 - 06:47 PM

like so many people ive been through my share of nets...either ripped or the actual poles snapping in half because of the weight of weeds and mud. my question is how much weight can the dipnet take? i dont wanna spend all that money and the aluminum pole snap on this one like all the others. thanks...and does the net include shipping or is that on top of the cost

#2 Guest_Skipjack_*

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Posted 16 May 2010 - 08:16 PM

I like mine a lot. Great quality, deep enough bag. Tight mesh. 2.5 years, and as good as new.

#3 Guest_gzeiger_*

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Posted 17 May 2010 - 01:48 AM

I've kept meaning to get one and I keep forgetting. I've seen one in action and was quite impressed. The owner said he'd had it a little over a year. The mesh was ripped consistent with what I'd expect from one of the nets I buy locally for $25 after about 3 months. Only I rip mine on weeds and sandy bottoms. This guy spent the whole day vigorously digging into rocky substrate (1-4" diameter rocks), bringing up easily 3-5 lbs or rock per scoop, and the net was no worse for wear by the end of the day. The metal hoop that protects the leading edge of the mesh from damage seems like a great innovation.

Regarding the pole snapping, the problem I've usually had with this is that the actual net hoop is formed around some piece of cheap wire which is then just inserted into the end of a hollow pole. Eventually the adhesive is broken so the wire piece falls out. The perfect dipnet seems much more sturdily constructed from what I remember.

Edited by gzeiger, 17 May 2010 - 01:51 AM.

#4 Guest_Uland_*

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Posted 17 May 2010 - 07:01 AM

I'm a Perfect Net convert! You will not break the handle or pole since it's a full 1" (across flats) octagonal aluminum hex stock! All nets break at some point and as gzeiger mentioned, it's usually the hoop that holds the mesh that fails. I'm a big fan of the fine mesh perfect dipnet since it appears tough as nails and the supporting hoop is designed to protect the mesh (and does so very well). I've had mine since the North Carolina convention and is still holding up very well. I now use the shallower bag offered and I love that one too. I have little fear of rocks damaging the net and I can pull of a rather large gobb of weeds but I'm not careless when handling a 20 pound gobb (I wouldn't try and swing that over my head). In short, it's one tough net but it not made of magic material (it has it's limits). I've never had the mesh tear on a perfect dipnet.

#5 Guest_Dustin_*

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Posted 17 May 2010 - 07:43 AM

I will also recommend the Perfect Dipnet. I have had one now for nearly 10 years and, though I don't use it routinely, it holds up very well. My only complaints before were that the bag was too deep, you couldn't use it electrofishing and the handle is very cold in winter. While nothing can be done to alleviate the latter two concerns, Jonah now offers a shallower bag that comes in multiple colors and mesh size. Mine also breaks down into 3 ft. sections that I can pack in my luggage and take on long trips if need be. You can pretty much have it customized however you like.

#6 Guest_BullHeadsrdfish_*

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Posted 17 May 2010 - 12:02 PM

I recently purchased my Perfect Dipnet from Jonah's a few months back. I have put it to plenty of good use since then, lifting large heavy masses of debris, mud, and weeds, digging around under undercut banks, and scooping through rocks. It has performed flawlessly. Personally, I prefer the deep bag net design because I think it yields more fish for marginally more effort. Like Dustin said the 3pc telescoping handle is very nice for reducing the size of the net for travel, and I opted to get that configuration because of the compact storage size. I think this is an exceptional dipnet which I would definetly recommend.

#7 Guest_bumpylemon_*

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Posted 17 May 2010 - 01:30 PM

i think im gonna go with a fiberglass dipnet. ive broke plenty of aluminium ones in the weeds. so i think a monorail hoop with a fiberglass pole is better. although my poles havent broke the hook has snapped at the pole base

#8 Guest_NVCichlids_*

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Posted 17 May 2010 - 04:58 PM

I liked reading this!.. I am debating getting one of these or the "one man seine"

#9 Guest_bumpylemon_*

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Posted 17 May 2010 - 06:38 PM

this is how mine snap

Posted Image

#10 Guest_gzeiger_*

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Posted 18 May 2010 - 12:54 AM

Might want to try netting minnows instead of, say, elk.

#11 Guest_bumpylemon_*

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Posted 18 May 2010 - 06:01 AM

Might want to try netting minnows instead of, say, elk.

thats the funnest post ive read on here ever.

#12 Guest_Dustin_*

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Posted 18 May 2010 - 07:51 AM

I can tell you that I have scooped up pounds of gunk over and over and dragged it through rocks and limbs and mine is still in great shape. There is most certainly a quality difference. I will also say that the hexagonal aluminum pole will not break unless there is sunstantial force placed on it, ie. backing over it with a car.

#13 Guest_mikez_*

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Posted 18 May 2010 - 09:53 AM

Might want to try netting minnows instead of, say, elk.

On the contrary, I'd say that looks about right for the muck loving species he's been digging for. The old fisherman adage "If you ain't losing gear, you ain't fishin in the right spot" can be ammended to "If you ain't breakin nets....".

I haven't got a Perfect Net but sounds like what I need.
The way I dig through debris, stones, deadfalls, weeds etc, I've seriously considered getting a stout clam rake and putting fine mesh in the basket.
I just buy big fish nets at the store for $5.00 and tape 'em to a stick. :blush:

I also patch rips with fishing line. :roll:

#14 Guest_dmarkley_*

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Posted 18 May 2010 - 11:07 AM

like so many people ive been through my share of nets...either ripped or the actual poles snapping in half because of the weight of weeds and mud. my question is how much weight can the dipnet take? i dont wanna spend all that money and the aluminum pole snap on this one like all the others. thanks...and does the net include shipping or is that on top of the cost

You cannot go wrong with a Perfect Dipnet. Mine is about 5 years old and still looks new. Dunno how much weight it'll take but I regularly scoop up softball sized rocks.

Dean

#15 Guest_Irate Mormon_*

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Posted 19 May 2010 - 11:52 PM

i think im gonna go with a fiberglass dipnet. ive broke plenty of aluminium ones in the weeds. so i think a monorail hoop with a fiberglass pole is better. although my poles havent broke the hook has snapped at the pole base

This is exactly the setup I use. I have a 6-12' extensible painter's pole. It does't take very long for grit to make the pole non-extensible, but it WILL not break, and I have seen a lot of expensive hexagonal aluminum poles get bent or broken.

#16 Guest_EdBihary_*

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Posted 22 May 2010 - 05:51 PM

This is exactly the setup I use. I have a 6-12' extensible painter's pole. It does't take very long for grit to make the pole non-extensible, but it WILL not break, and I have seen a lot of expensive hexagonal aluminum poles get bent or broken.

I haven't seen the green ones on Jonah's web site for a while. Are they no longer available? I like them better than the black ones with the finer mesh.

#17 Guest_Wolf_*

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Posted 07 June 2010 - 06:42 PM

A friend and I went to check out Fountainblue State Park in Louisiana a while back. We wear out on the swamp walk and one of the park rangers was doing some collecting. I asked where they got their nets. They said from Carolina Biological. If anyone wants one, this is the item number. I love mine, might have to replace the wooden handel, but thats ok. I like the way the net itself is made.
651290 Net, Heavy-Duty Collecting

When I got mint they wear going for $36.95 plus shipping.

http://www.carolina....=23&Search.y=11

#18 Guest_NVCichlids_*

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Posted 07 June 2010 - 07:51 PM

A friend and I went to check out Fountainblue State Park in Louisiana a while back. We wear out on the swamp walk and one of the park rangers was doing some collecting. I asked where they got their nets. They said from Carolina Biological. If anyone wants one, this is the item number. I love mine, might have to replace the wooden handel, but thats ok. I like the way the net itself is made.
651290 Net, Heavy-Duty Collecting

When I got mint they wear going for $36.95 plus shipping.

http://www.carolina....=23&Search.y=11

This is what I am using and love it, but I really want one that collapses down. I have two perfect dipnets on my birthday list (too bad it isn't until september

)

#19 Guest_Irate Mormon_*

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Posted 10 June 2010 - 10:20 PM

A friend and I went to check out Fountainblue State Park in Louisiana a while back. We wear out on the swamp walk and one of the park rangers was doing some collecting. I asked where they got their nets. They said from Carolina Biological. If anyone wants one, this is the item number. I love mine, might have to replace the wooden handel, but thats ok. I like the way the net itself is made.
651290 Net, Heavy-Duty Collecting

When I got mint they wear going for $36.95 plus shipping.

http://www.carolina....=23&Search.y=11

OK, I looked it up. Do yourself a favor - bypass that one and get a perfect dipnet. Here is a link:

http://www.aquaticec...Nets/monorail/0

But rather than buy the net from them, buy it from Jonah. He's a NANFA member.

#20 Guest_angfa_*

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Posted 02 August 2012 - 10:43 PM

_{I recomend the Perfect Dipnet also I have had my first one for about 7-8 years now and have never had a problem. I am actually in the process of replacing the net for the first time today.}
_{I would recomend getting from Jonah's Aquarium http://www.jonahsaqu...e/netdipnet.htm He is a NANFA member.}

Edited by angfa, 02 August 2012 - 10:44 PM.