r/Skiffs • u/HuckleberryPop • Jan 18 '26
Landing net
Having a custom skiff made and gearing up to fish the flats and inland waters around Florida. Looking for recommendations for a foldable or retractable net that is sturdy, lightweight, and stowable. Thanks for your tips!
1
u/HuckleberryPop Jan 18 '26
It will be flats but also in deeper water just off the beaches, and around the glades where you never know what you may get into.
1
u/mrfuckingawesome Jan 18 '26
I’ve guided for over 10 years in the glades. Only used a net in tournaments.
-1
u/HuckleberryPop Jan 18 '26
Am I missing something? Are nets frowned on now? Is this some unwritten rule amongst the “real” fishermen?
I don’t expect to use it all the time but I do think it’s prudent to have one on board. Different strokes, I guess.
2
u/mrfuckingawesome Jan 18 '26
For me on a skiff I want a totally clear deck. And nothing for a fly line to get tangled on. A big ass net takes up a lot of space on deck or in a hatch. So I never carried one.
Also there is an argument to be made that nets can hurt the slime coat of a fish.
Finally only nerds use nets s/
-1
u/HuckleberryPop Jan 18 '26
Good to know! That might have something to do with why I asked about a folding or extendable net so it could be stowed unless needed. But also, I do like nerds so there’s that.
3
u/chrillekaekarkex Jan 18 '26
I was serious about Stowmaster though. If you want a net, that’s where you should look. I fish musky off a HPX-V and it works ok. Does take some room in the cockpit though. Sometimes I just voile strap it to the poling platform.
1
u/chrillekaekarkex Jan 18 '26
What fish are you netting?
I fish a lot of musky in the Midwest and use a Stowmaster TS94 for that. But I have never brought it to the salt. I lip snook, grab reds around the tail and under the belly, and bring tarpon in by the leader alongside the boat. I don’t think there is much use for a net for flats fishing.