USA-based fishing accessories designer and manufacturer EGO Fishing offers 17 different nets to meet the wade-fishing needs of anglers across the globe.
Whether you’re fishing springfed, back-country trout streams, larger rivers, lake public access points, salty flats, or anywhere in between, EGO Fishing has the solution for you. Choose from three different sizes (small, medium, and large); various netting types including traditional nylon, rubber-coated nylon, clear/black rubber, or PVC-coated netting; and two different handles, either fixed length or Kryptek extending handle.
Whether a fish is intended for the table, a quick water’s surface release photo, or a high-hold to demonstrate prowess to throngs of other wading anglers, a good wading net is critical.
And especially this time of year, what with ongoing salmon and steelhead runs through winter; warm-water discharge river smallmouth bass bites; fluff-chucking for big brown trout; chasing minnow-gorging walleyes on smaller rivers; the fall/winter wade bite list goes on.
While there are countless net options on the market — specifically fly fishing nets — EGO Fishing is likely the only company who spent the time talking with wade anglers of all walks to offer a wide range of options specifically for wade fishing: fly, spinning, center-pinning, you name it.
Two immediate benefits of EGO Fishing wade nets? First, they float — and second, many feature 11-inch handles.
Three Net Hoop Sizes — An Option for Every Species
EGO Fishing offers three primary wade net sizes. All feature 11-inch handles but vary from small, medium, to large with 11- to 20-inch hoop depth in the small size; 20- to 28-inch hoop depth in the medium size; and 20- to 31-inch in large hook depth — all dependent on the netting material chosen.
Small wade nets feature a 14-by-16-inch hoop; medium measure 17 by 19 inches; and large comes in at 19 by 21 inches.
Netting Material Options for Today’s Wade Angler
In terms of actual construction materials, EGO Fishing utilizes aluminum, corrosion-resistant stainless steel parts, and polypropylene-injected molded parts, besides the obvious netting materials composed of clear and black rubber, PVC, nylon, and coated nylon.
They’re big fans of clear rubber mesh wade net material for three reasons: 1) It doesn’t spook fish; 2) It preserves fish slime coating for healthy release; 3) and last, it resists hook snags. It costs a little bit more than other EGO Fishing netting material options, but is worth the small upcharge. Specifically, many on our staff use the EGO Wade – Large Clear Rubber Net, which was bestowed Fish Alaska’s Editors’ Choice Award in 2019. This net features a lightweight, durable hexagonal extruded aluminum handle, innovative grip design, and an 11-inch elastic adjustable/removable tether. Features an 11-inch flat bottom bag depth, 19-by-21-inch hoop size, and 11-inch handle.
However, all wade anglers have their favorites — and depending on the species and locale — other options may be better suited to the application.
For example, some anglers like black rubber mesh, which is also very soft on the fish’s slime-like coating and fins. It also will not knot up when being used.
The downside to both clear and black rubber mesh is the material has the most water drag and isn’t quite as durable as some of EGO Fishing’s other options.
For anglers chasing toothy critters like pike, EGO Fishing founder Grant Corbett recommends EGO’s PVC material, a woven fabric that’s completely encased in another coating of PVC rubber. Like rubber mesh, PVC nets do not knot up.
“Another bonus is that PVC net material is pretty easy on fish health for catch-and-release fishing,” said Corbett. “Plus, the woven fabric is a very difficult thing for pike, muskies, and toothy saltwater fish to cut through. So, PVC is actually the most durable landing net material option out there.”
Other pluses to PVC net material? First, less water drag than rubber and it’s slightly less expensive. If there’s a downside, it’s that PVC net material is not quite as “hook friendly” as EGO Fishing’s clear or black rubber mesh options.
“In terms of sales, we sell more PVC netting than any other mesh type. It is the most common and popular landing net type out there,” said Corbett.
EGO Fishing also offers traditional nylon and coated nylon wade nets, the latter of which prevents most hook snags, especially if you’re flinging flies and not using baits with multiple treble hooks. The other benefit with nylon EGO Fishing wade fishing net options is they’re extremely affordable.
Note to Retailers
EGO is committed to your store, offering FREE custom fit modular displays for an EGO landing net assortment. The display is proven to improve the net selection process, while bolstering sales through the instant availability of S2 Slider accessories and multiple hoop sizes.
