The landing net is the piece of kit that turns a hooked fish into a landed fish — and the one place where poor choices do real damage. A net with the wrong mesh can strip a fish's protective slime and scales, and in England, using a knotted or metal mesh is actually against the rules on many waters.

Here's how to choose the right net, why the mesh matters more than the frame, and the fish-welfare basics that come with it.

Table of Contents

Why the Mesh Matters More Than the Frame

Fish are coated in a protective slime layer, and a net's mesh is what touches that layer. A soft, knotless mesh — fine, smooth and non-abrasive — protects the slime and scales. A knotted mesh, by contrast, works like fine sandpaper: it rubs off slime and can split fins. And metal mesh is the worst of all for fish welfare.

This isn't just good practice. On England's freshwater, the byelaws are explicit: you must not use landing nets with knotted or metallic mesh. Read the landing net rules on GOV.UK.

Size, Depth and Handle Length

  • Net head size: match it to your target. A 45–50cm head covers coarse fish and most predators; 55–70cm+ for specimen carp and pike where you want the whole fish supported.
  • Depth: deeper nets (60cm+) support a big fish better and stop it flapping back out; shallow nets are fine for smaller species.
  • Handle length: 1.5–2m for bank fishing, 2.5–3m+ for high banks, platforms and rivers where you need reach. Longer handles give reach but are heavier to one-hand.
  • Weight: you'll hold the net one-handed while playing a fish, so lighter carbon or alloy frames beat heavy steel.
Close-up of a knotless fine mesh landing net held up to the light showing the smooth micro-mesh, with a folded net arm
Knotless micro-mesh — soft against the fish's slime and scales, and the legal requirement on English waters.

Folding, Fixed and Spoon Nets

Type Best for Watch out for
Folding / triangular net Roving, light kit, easy storage Assembly in a hurry; check the arms lock securely
Fixed-frame round net Specimen carp, pike, big fish Bulky to carry, needs a spreader block
Spoon net Match fishing, quick landing of small fish Too small for specimen fish

Most anglers end up with two: a folding net for roving, and a fixed-frame net for specimen work where a big fish needs proper support.

Fish Welfare and the Rules

The net is the moment a fish is most at risk, so a few habits matter:

  • Wet the net before use — a dry net strips slime faster than a wet one.
  • Support the fish fully — lift it in the net, don't swing it out by the line or carry it unsupported.
  • Land on an unhooking mat for anything you're returning, and keep the fish out of water for as little time as possible.
  • Check local rules — beyond the national byelaws, many fisheries require knotless nets and unhooking mats as standard.

For predator anglers, the net pairs with a good unhooking mat and forceps — the welfare kit that a pike demands. See our pike lures guide for the handling side of that.

Caring for Your Net

  • Rinse the mesh in fresh water after every session and dry it before storage — a damp net mildews and rots.
  • Check for hook snags and small tears; a tear snags fins and only gets bigger.
  • Don't store the mesh bunched tight or in direct sun for long periods — it degrades the fabric.
  • Collapse folding arms carefully; forced folding bends the spreader block.
Fish resting in a deep knotless landing net in shallow water with an unhooking mat on the bank beside the angler
Land in the water, support the fish, and have the unhooking mat ready — the welfare routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size landing net do I need?

Match it to your target: a 45–50cm head for general coarse fishing, 55–70cm+ for specimen carp and pike. Deeper nets support big fish better.

Why can't I use a knotted mesh net?

Knotted mesh abrades a fish's protective slime and can damage fins — and on England's freshwater it's prohibited by the national byelaws, which ban knotted and metallic mesh landing nets. Knotless micro-mesh is the legal and welfare-correct choice.

Do I need a licence to fish with a landing net?

Yes — the rod licence covers your fishing. Anyone aged 13 or over fishing freshwater in England needs an Environment Agency rod licence. Check the rod licence rules on GOV.UK.

Shop Fishing Gear

A knotless landing net is the welfare-correct way to finish every catch — pair it with an unhooking mat, and you're fishing properly. See our pike lures guide for the predator side of handling.

Browse fishing gear at Desvips, or explore more in our Fishing articles.