The complete guide
Landing fish safely from a seated position
Landing a fish from a belly boat asks something different of your net than bank fishing does, and getting the size and mesh right makes the moment easier for both you and the fish.
Why a bank net often doesn't suit a belly boat
Bank landing nets are frequently built with a longer handle for reaching down a bank or over a weir. Seated in a belly boat, that extra reach is unnecessary and can actually be harder to manage in a confined space — a compact net like this is easier to control at close range.
The case for soft rubberised mesh
Traditional knotted nylon mesh can strip some of a fish's protective slime coat and catch on fins, which matters more if you're practising catch and release. Soft rubberised mesh is a deliberate choice to reduce that damage.
Handling the net one-handed
Practise bringing the net up and under a fish with one hand while your rod stays in the other — in a belly boat you rarely have a free hand to spare, so this motion is worth rehearsing before you actually need it under pressure with a fish on.
Caring for a wooden-framed net
Rinse the frame after use, particularly after saltwater, and let it dry before storing — a laminated wood frame lasts far longer with basic care than one left damp in a bag between trips.