Landing Nets & Keepnets

Landing nets and keepnets are essential for securing fish at the water’s edge, protecting their health, and making it easier to release them or keep them temporarily. In this category, you’ll find gear tailored to coarse and match fishing, from leisure sessions to competition.

Choosing the right landing net for coarse and match fishing

A well-matched landing net helps you control the fight while treating the fish with respect. For pole and coarse fishing, anglers generally prefer lightweight landing net heads with fine, knotless mesh to limit injuries and reduce the risk of hooks tangling.

• Head size: small to medium for roach and bream, wider heads for carp on the pole.
• Mesh: fine or micro-mesh for delicate fishing, larger mesh for quicker drying.
• Handle: length adapted to the swim; a telescopic handle makes it easier to net fish at distance or from high banks.

In summer, a landing net with rubber-coated mesh (rubber) offers a good balance between protecting the fish’s slime coat and fast drying. In cold weather or clear water, dark, discreet mesh can help reassure wary fish.

Keepnets: holding fish safely during the session

The keepnet allows you to keep fish alive in the water during your session, while keeping them close at hand for weighing or a final photo. The model you choose will mainly depend on the type of swim and the fish you are targeting.

• Round or rectangular shape: rectangular models sit better along the bank or quay.
• Length: a longer keepnet prevents fish from staying too close to the surface, especially in summer.
• Mesh: fine mesh for small silver fish, stronger mesh for carp and larger fish.

Always position the keepnet in an area that is deep enough, away from rocks and obstacles, so the fish can hold themselves naturally in the current or still water.

Techniques, setup, and maintenance of your gear

To get the best from your landing nets and keepnets, careful setup and maintenance are important. On a coarse or match fishing station, the landing net head should be easy to reach, ideally mounted on a handle fixed to a seatbox or station support.

• Positioning: place the landing net on the side of the hand you use to bring the pole or rod back, for a smooth, quick motion.
• Keepnet: fix it securely with an arm or bankstick, with the entrance slightly downstream of the current or in a ripple-free area.
• Maintenance: rinse with clean water after each trip, let it air-dry, and regularly check the stitching and mesh.

Clean, well-maintained gear reduces odors and corrosion, and extends the life of your landing nets and keepnets, whatever the season.

Adapting your equipment to the seasons

Fishing conditions change throughout the year, and your gear should follow. In summer, choose longer keepnets so fish stay in a cooler layer of water, and avoid overcrowding. In autumn and winter, fights may be shorter but banks can be slippery: a strong landing net handle with a good grip improves safety.

In spring, when fish become more active again, a fine-mesh landing net is ideal for catching large numbers of silver fish. Adapting your equipment to the season improves both fishing comfort and fish welfare.

FAQ Landing nets and keepnets

Q: What size landing net should I choose for coarse fishing?

A: For roach and bream, a head between 35 and 45 cm is sufficient. For carp on the pole, choose a wider, deeper head to secure the fish properly.

Q: How do I correctly maintain a keepnet?

A: Rinse it after each session, let it dry completely, and store it in a dry place. Regularly check the condition of the mesh and the thread on the attachment.

Q: Do I need a different keepnet for competition?

A: In competition, anglers often use long, rectangular keepnets with fine mesh, suited to large numbers of fish and to station accessories.

Q: Are rubber-coated meshes really useful?

A: Rubber meshes reduce injuries, protect the fish’s slime coat, and tangle less with hooks, which makes them very practical for regular use.