I'm in the market for a new one. Any recommendation?
I'm getting tired of using a heavy pole. My net is not the best quality either so looking to hear what you use or recommend. TIA
I'm getting tired of using a heavy pole. My net is not the best quality either so looking to hear what you use or recommend. TIA
The mps pole is a brilliant bit of kit.
In reply to Post #1
Take a look at the offerings from Dymag, love mine, light as a light thing, rigid and long is great👍👍
Tel
Take a look at the offerings from Dymag, love mine, light as a light thing, rigid and long is great👍👍
Tel
Using a Harrison Torrix 6ft pole. Brilliant handle.
In reply to Post #1
If you can afford it dymag.
If you want something cheaper but still quality Gardener outreach
If you can afford it dymag.
If you want something cheaper but still quality Gardener outreach
In reply to Post #2
Hi Do you have a link as cannot find !! I am looking for a locking telescopic pole longer than 9ft
Hi Do you have a link as cannot find !! I am looking for a locking telescopic pole longer than 9ft
In reply to Post #1
Matrix bulldog has a stiff light handle, awesome net, and the Chris brown nets are next level, stiff light.. 👌🏻
Matrix bulldog has a stiff light handle, awesome net, and the Chris brown nets are next level, stiff light.. 👌🏻
In reply to Post #8
I second the Matrix Bulldog Net, not the cheapest mind, but light, stiff and stood the test of time. I've had mine over 10 years now.
I second the Matrix Bulldog Net, not the cheapest mind, but light, stiff and stood the test of time. I've had mine over 10 years now.
I have a matrix bulldog net, matrix 3k handle and a defiant mps pole sat in the garage along with a few other nets I've collected.
The 3k handle is lighter less than half the weight of the defiant and equally stiff. Not much between the bulldog and 3k in weihht or rigidity but there are lighter spreaders than the bulldog available - if buying again I'd probably take a punt on the 3k from my experience of the poles.
The best combo I've found is the 3k pole, weston spreader block, bulldog arms and freespirit shallow mesh. Minimal flex in use and comes in at 575g.
The 3k handle is lighter less than half the weight of the defiant and equally stiff. Not much between the bulldog and 3k in weihht or rigidity but there are lighter spreaders than the bulldog available - if buying again I'd probably take a punt on the 3k from my experience of the poles.
The best combo I've found is the 3k pole, weston spreader block, bulldog arms and freespirit shallow mesh. Minimal flex in use and comes in at 575g.
In reply to Post #8
Have you got the 1st gen or 2nd? The Bulldog 2 looks to be out of stock.
Have you got the 1st gen or 2nd? The Bulldog 2 looks to be out of stock.
In reply to Post #10
Thanks for this
So you prefer the matrix 3k handle over any other?
The Weston block seems a bargain at £20 new.
Thanks for this
So you prefer the matrix 3k handle over any other? The Weston block seems a bargain at £20 new.
In reply to Post #12
I do out of the ones listed yes - hard to directly compare weight to the bulldog handle as it has the spreader attached. To me atleast it seems just as stiff, also has nice rubber grips at both ends. No idea how it compares to the top free spirit nets/handles or the dymag though as I've never seen them in the flesh.
The weston block was about the lightest ali block I could find and has 'deep' recesses for the arms so they fit very nicely. Goes nicely with the 3k handle too, lighter than the matrix block I may pick up a full 3k net at some point to try out. .
I do out of the ones listed yes - hard to directly compare weight to the bulldog handle as it has the spreader attached. To me atleast it seems just as stiff, also has nice rubber grips at both ends. No idea how it compares to the top free spirit nets/handles or the dymag though as I've never seen them in the flesh.
The weston block was about the lightest ali block I could find and has 'deep' recesses for the arms so they fit very nicely. Goes nicely with the 3k handle too, lighter than the matrix block I may pick up a full 3k net at some point to try out. .
Dymag net is one of the best however take a look at chris brown nets .
The ones I'm looking at:
Solar P1
Bulldog 2
Nash Pursuit
Nash Dwarf
Sonik Vader X
Greys Prodigy
JRC Cocoon
All with varying feature pros and cons and price differentials. It's hard to narrow down the best value for money set. Although it's looking around the £150 range, give or take £20-£30. Like the look of the solar quick release spreader block but at £270, not sure if I can justify its value for money compared to others.
Solar P1
Bulldog 2
Nash Pursuit
Nash Dwarf
Sonik Vader X
Greys Prodigy
JRC Cocoon
All with varying feature pros and cons and price differentials. It's hard to narrow down the best value for money set. Although it's looking around the £150 range, give or take £20-£30. Like the look of the solar quick release spreader block but at £270, not sure if I can justify its value for money compared to others.
There is a new solar A1 net - not sure if it's available but have seen it advertised, same design block as the A1 from what I could see and sure it was about £150.
I like the look of the NSR net/sling from evolution tackle I like the idea of it being a sling aswell as a net
In reply to Post #14
Agree with jettfire theres only two nets i would buy and thats a chris brown and a dymag net. I wouldnt look at anything else. Even when i had my dymag net i still used my chris brown carbon net, it will out last me there bullet proof.
Agree with jettfire theres only two nets i would buy and thats a chris brown and a dymag net. I wouldnt look at anything else. Even when i had my dymag net i still used my chris brown carbon net, it will out last me there bullet proof.
In reply to Post #15
I have 2 x Solar P1 Landing nets and imo awesome bit of kit. Weighs next to nothing at 800g complete and extremely well balanced. Carbon telescopic handle works a treat and covers any style of fishing. Carbon net arms extra long and stiff (biggest improvement over older bow lock nets are the stiff arms making 1 man captures so much easier). And of course the 1 touch spreader block saves so much effort. Looks lovely as well. Expensive but well worth it.
Quick review below
Solar P1
I have 2 x Solar P1 Landing nets and imo awesome bit of kit. Weighs next to nothing at 800g complete and extremely well balanced. Carbon telescopic handle works a treat and covers any style of fishing. Carbon net arms extra long and stiff (biggest improvement over older bow lock nets are the stiff arms making 1 man captures so much easier). And of course the 1 touch spreader block saves so much effort. Looks lovely as well. Expensive but well worth it.
Quick review below
Solar P1
In reply to Post #18
👍
👍
In reply to Post #20
my vote goes to the matrix bulldog
had it years and great net,light and stiff
my vote goes to the matrix bulldog
had it years and great net,light and stiff
In reply to Post #21
Remember you buying
Remember you buying
In reply to Post #22
years ago...ringwood angling
years ago...ringwood angling
In reply to Post #10
Hi mate how do you find the Weston block for setting up and breaking down as some of the spreader blocks are a really pain to get in and out
Hi mate how do you find the Weston block for setting up and breaking down as some of the spreader blocks are a really pain to get in and out
In reply to Post #24
As standard blocks go it's very easy, fairly wide diameter holes so easy to assemble and disassemble.
As standard blocks go it's very easy, fairly wide diameter holes so easy to assemble and disassemble.
In reply to Post #25
I've got one on my spare net, it's a lot easier than the one on my better net
I've got one on my spare net, it's a lot easier than the one on my better net
The JRC stealth is a really good net. As light as and as decent as a Dymag net, just not as fancy. Has stiff arms that don't resemble a jelly when landing a fish. I've got a Dymag full fat stalker net and a Terry Hearn net, so I've got some idea of how a good net should perform.
For £65 and from what I've got and what's for sale from other companies, this is right up there with the best nets on the market. Two piece handle too and easy to insert the arms and remove them. I'd avoid the Nash Scope net unless they've sorted that really badly designed spreader block. It's like trying to solve a rubics cube. Nightmare to break down.
https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/jrc-stealth-landing-net-42
For £65 and from what I've got and what's for sale from other companies, this is right up there with the best nets on the market. Two piece handle too and easy to insert the arms and remove them. I'd avoid the Nash Scope net unless they've sorted that really badly designed spreader block. It's like trying to solve a rubics cube. Nightmare to break down.
https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/jrc-stealth-landing-net-42
I use a two piece jrc handle with north western arms and a free spirit mesh.
It weighs only 20 grams more than the dymag.
It weighs only 20 grams more than the dymag.
In reply to Post #15
Nash Dwarf forget that one
the spreader block on mine broke when I was packing up on the 1st session (thank god I blanked), Erics replaced it with a Sonik 2 piece handle (needed to be very compact at the time).
EDIT
I have one of the older Greys Prodigy, I dont think the handle is as light as others, and the block insert holes could be deeper IMO.
Nash Dwarf forget that one
the spreader block on mine broke when I was packing up on the 1st session (thank god I blanked), Erics replaced it with a Sonik 2 piece handle (needed to be very compact at the time).EDIT
I have one of the older Greys Prodigy, I dont think the handle is as light as others, and the block insert holes could be deeper IMO.
In reply to Post #25
Thanks lads for the reply's on the Weston spreader block, l think the spreader blocks are getting smaller and smaller on a lot of the new nets these days but are getting harder and harder to set up and break down just probably look better, going to order one now.
Thanks again
Thanks lads for the reply's on the Weston spreader block, l think the spreader blocks are getting smaller and smaller on a lot of the new nets these days but are getting harder and harder to set up and break down just probably look better, going to order one now.
Thanks again
In reply to Post #30
The sonik vader x nets break down nice and easy out of the spreader blocks and the arms go back in the spreader block nice and easy just what you want from a landing . I have 4 of the nets with 2 piece handles and their great nets for the money
The sonik vader x nets break down nice and easy out of the spreader blocks and the arms go back in the spreader block nice and easy just what you want from a landing . I have 4 of the nets with 2 piece handles and their great nets for the money
In reply to Post #27
You see this is where I can't get my head around this product and say the Solar at £200 more. What's the feature comparables against one another for instance.
There seems to be a lot of good nets and poles around the £80 - £150 mark. None of which seem to tell you what they weigh.
Watched a promo video for JRC x lite and it looked like the arms were bending quite significantly when pulling up through the water to net a fish. But at its price, is tempting. This is where user feedback is imperative to knowing which to go for.
Like the Bulldog 2 net and pole but only found one place that sells it so leaning towards that atm.
You see this is where I can't get my head around this product and say the Solar at £200 more. What's the feature comparables against one another for instance.
There seems to be a lot of good nets and poles around the £80 - £150 mark. None of which seem to tell you what they weigh.
Watched a promo video for JRC x lite and it looked like the arms were bending quite significantly when pulling up through the water to net a fish. But at its price, is tempting. This is where user feedback is imperative to knowing which to go for.
Like the Bulldog 2 net and pole but only found one place that sells it so leaning towards that atm.
In reply to Post #32
Weight doesn't mean much at the moment you actually use the net, I had a fibreglass net that weighed a ton compared to my first half decent carbon net, but was stiffer and actually floated.
The Chris brown nets would be around my ceiling price wise, I really couldn't justify the best part of 300 quid for a bloody net!
Weight doesn't mean much at the moment you actually use the net, I had a fibreglass net that weighed a ton compared to my first half decent carbon net, but was stiffer and actually floated.
The Chris brown nets would be around my ceiling price wise, I really couldn't justify the best part of 300 quid for a bloody net!
In reply to Post #32
The bulldog mk2 is a solid net, sure you won't be disappointed.
One thing to note is that the block is fixed to the pole and is a traditional spreader block that bare carbon arms slot in to. It's not an issue but from pictures I thought the arms would be tipped with stainless and nipples that would click into the spreader (like the century nets).
Breaking it down and setting up is a bit fiddley initially.
The bulldog mk2 is a solid net, sure you won't be disappointed.
One thing to note is that the block is fixed to the pole and is a traditional spreader block that bare carbon arms slot in to. It's not an issue but from pictures I thought the arms would be tipped with stainless and nipples that would click into the spreader (like the century nets).
Breaking it down and setting up is a bit fiddley initially.
In reply to Post #34
Block is fixed to pole? Same as the Chris Brown nets it would seem. The site that showed it had availability didn't actually have one in stock. So looks like they're all out of stock.
Starting to look at a pole, block, arms and mesh all separately and see if this is a better route to finding the best value for money option. Very hard to come to any conclusion when researching online and not tangibly inspecting.
Block is fixed to pole? Same as the Chris Brown nets it would seem. The site that showed it had availability didn't actually have one in stock. So looks like they're all out of stock.
Starting to look at a pole, block, arms and mesh all separately and see if this is a better route to finding the best value for money option. Very hard to come to any conclusion when researching online and not tangibly inspecting.
In reply to Post #35
I'm waiting for a new pair of bulldog arms from matrix, they haven't had carbon for months due to covid, the 3ks are back, another 2 weeks for bulldogs from what they tell me.
I'm waiting for a new pair of bulldog arms from matrix, they haven't had carbon for months due to covid, the 3ks are back, another 2 weeks for bulldogs from what they tell me.
In reply to Post #33
I know what you mean duggs and you make a very good point about price. The Dymag stalker stuff like the net on its own is crazy money, it's when you couple it altogether with his stalking rods and bag combo where it all makes sense; costs an arm and a leg mind and you could go cheaper like I did with a JRC net, being the knob I am, I had to match all the Dymag stalker gear up.
Although the Terry Hearn net is a lot of money, I think it's the best net I've used. I have got rid of the handle that the Hearn net comes with and use it with a drennen extending carbon handle. Got to say, for me, it truly is the one. I do like to have nets with ultra stiff arms so fish don't end up swimming back out and I'm having to faff about. I had a free spirit net that weighed an absolute ton and bent double at the arms just dipping in the water. Why companies make nets with heavy stainless spreaders on them I'll never know.
I know what you mean duggs and you make a very good point about price. The Dymag stalker stuff like the net on its own is crazy money, it's when you couple it altogether with his stalking rods and bag combo where it all makes sense; costs an arm and a leg mind and you could go cheaper like I did with a JRC net, being the knob I am, I had to match all the Dymag stalker gear up.
Although the Terry Hearn net is a lot of money, I think it's the best net I've used. I have got rid of the handle that the Hearn net comes with and use it with a drennen extending carbon handle. Got to say, for me, it truly is the one. I do like to have nets with ultra stiff arms so fish don't end up swimming back out and I'm having to faff about. I had a free spirit net that weighed an absolute ton and bent double at the arms just dipping in the water. Why companies make nets with heavy stainless spreaders on them I'll never know.
In reply to Post #37
Yeh my 2nd net uses a weston block, drennan extending pole and Harrison arms I got from a rod builder, with a shortened cord to increase tension. I was very happy with that net but got a fox xt net very cheap when a local shop closed. I only favour the fox net as the drennan pole seems to loosen sometimes unexpectedly. I don't like the fox block but it's been fine tbh
Yeh my 2nd net uses a weston block, drennan extending pole and Harrison arms I got from a rod builder, with a shortened cord to increase tension. I was very happy with that net but got a fox xt net very cheap when a local shop closed. I only favour the fox net as the drennan pole seems to loosen sometimes unexpectedly. I don't like the fox block but it's been fine tbh
In reply to Post #36
James, do you know if the net and arms are the same materiel on both the 3k camo model and bulldog? Looks to be the spreader block that is the only difference.
Will you be getting the arms direct from MI?
James, do you know if the net and arms are the same materiel on both the 3k camo model and bulldog? Looks to be the spreader block that is the only difference.
Will you be getting the arms direct from MI?
In reply to Post #39
The bulldog arms don't have the 3k weave on them and are apparently a little bit stiffer than the 3k arms. Both are the same diameter and fit each others blocks according to matrix.
Yes, I'm getting the arms direct from Matrix. The bulldog arms don't appear to be available to buy from retailers like the 3k ones.
The bulldog arms don't have the 3k weave on them and are apparently a little bit stiffer than the 3k arms. Both are the same diameter and fit each others blocks according to matrix.
Yes, I'm getting the arms direct from Matrix. The bulldog arms don't appear to be available to buy from retailers like the 3k ones.
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