A good fishing net is essential to land fish efficiently when fishing from a kayak. It makes it so much easier to haul the fish you catch. Whether you intend to use a net for landing fish or catching fish that are close by, you will need the best kayak fishing net for the kind of fish you target.
On this page, you will discover the 10 best fishing nets for kayaks. The best kayak fishnet should pack small so it can fit inside a kayak, but still be strong enough to haul the fish you catch. If you’re looking for your very first kayak fishing net, be sure to scroll further down to learn what to look for.
OUR TOP PICK
SF Rubber Kayak Fishing Net
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Perfect for fly fishing on fishing kayak
- Rubber net is flexible, transparent, and buoyant
- Round head and square head versions to choose between
- Lightweight and compact size fits well in a kayak
- Comes with a powerful magnetic release clip
Hoop Size: 9.5 x 16 inches
Hoop Depth: 10 inches
Handle: 9 inches
Overall length: 24 inches
Materials: Rubber, Bamboo, and Hardwood
EDITORS CHOICE
KastKing Madbite Folding
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Fine mesh net, strength for landing big species
- Foldable landing net is easy to store and carry in a kayak
- Fine mesh holes retain even the smallest fish species
- E-Glass handle has excellent resistance to breaking
- Measuring tape on the handle collapses into the net
Hoop Sizes: 20 and 24 inches
Folded Handle: 21 inches
Materials: Rubber, E-Glass Frame
BEST VALUE
PLUSINNO Collapsible
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Exceptional value for money
- Three different hoop size options to choose from
- Telescoping handle and belt clip for easy storage and carry
- A coated nylon mesh net is easy to handle and doesn't harm fish
- Handle-end provides a sure and comfortable grip
Hoop Size: 12″, Depth: 7.5″, Length: 17 to 27.5″
Hoop Size: 16″, Depth: 12″, Length: 17 to 38″
Hoop Size: 16.2″ Depth: 13.5″, Length: 17 to 43.5″
Hoop Size: 20″, Depth:18″, Length:22 to 60″
Materials: Nylon Mesh, Carbon Fiber, and Fiberglass
PLUSINNO Folding
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Perfect for fly fishing on fishing kayak
- Natural rubber net is fish-friendly and doesn't snag on hooks
- The foldable design packs down to a compact size
- Teardrop-shape basket shape keeps fish secure
- Comes with a belt clip for attaching the landing net to a belt, vest, or pack
- Super-strong magnetic attachment secures the landing net
Hoop Sizes: 16″ x 13″ and 17″ x 12″
Net Depth: 10 inches
Handle: 17 to 28inches
Material: Natural Rubber
YVLEEN Folding
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Incredible strength while still being lightweight
- Hexagonal structure mesh is fine and very strong
- Slip-resistant EVA handle provides a sure grip
- Coated netting ensures safe capture and release
- Telescoping design and included belt clip for ease of use
- Perfect for fly fishing
Hoop Size: 16 inches
Net Depth: 11.8 inches
Handle Length: 23.6 to 39.3 inches
Materials: Coated Nylon, Aluminum, EVA
Ed Cumings Inc B-135
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Catch and release trout fishing
- Strong net with good elasticity for landing big fish
- Super soft nylon mesh net is fish-friendly
- Anodized bows resist corrosion and last long
- The non-slip grip offers a sure grip even with slippery hands
Bow Size: 4 x 11 inches
Overall Length: 19 1/2 inches
Net Depth: 12 inches
Materials: Nylon Mesh, Anodized Bows
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Perfect for fly fishing
- Big and strong enough to land large fish up to 30lbs.
- S2 sliding system for extending reach makes landing fish a breeze
- PVC or rubber-coated netting is fish-friendly, tangle and snag-free
- The replaceable head allows you to use multiple accessories
Hoop Size: 17 x 19 inches
Bag Depth: 28 inches
Length: 18-36 inches
Material: Rubber or PVC Coated Mesh
Frabill Folding
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Small fishing net for smaller fish
- Lightweight and very easy to use on a kayak
- Folds up nicely for space-saving storage
- The telescoping handle extends up to 40 inches
Hoop Sizes: 18″ x 16″ and 22″ x 20″
Net Depth: 14inches
Handle: 20-40inches
Material: Micro Mesh
ODDSPRO
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Catching both small and larger fish species
- Folding handle makes it easy to store in a kayak
- The flat square bottom makes it easy to handle fish
- The rubberized net is fish-friendly. tangle and odor resistant
Hoop Size: 11.5 x 15.5 inches
Hoop Depth: 10 inches
Handle Size: 8.5 inches
Material: Rubber-Coated Nylon, Carbon Fiber, and Fiberglass
ZHENDUO OUTDOOR
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Perfect for fly fishing
- Accessibly priced toolset with a fishnet, fish gripper, and belt clip
- Corrosion-resistant handle suitable for saltwater use
- EVA handle material provides a comfortable and secure grip
- Telescoping design enables the net to fit well inside a kayak
Hoop Sizes: 36.2 and 40inches
Entire Length: 36.2inches
Handle: 17 to 22inches
Materials: Coated Nylon, Aluminum Alloy
How To Choose A Kayak Fishing Net – Buying Guide
Type
The very first decision to make when choosing a fishing net for a kayak is whether to get a fishing net or a landing net. This will depend on whether you will be using the net to catch fish near or on the surface of the water or intend to use it to slide the fish hook towards your kayak for landing.
Size
The first consideration to make is the size and depth of the hoop. The bigger the fish, the bigger your net needs to be. The size of the holes in the Kayak Net is also important to evaluate. The bigger the fish, the bigger the holes can be. If you will be catching small species such as panfish, make sure the net you get has fine netting so small fish can’t slip through the holes.
Handle
The handle should be short enough to stow in a kayak yet long enough to give you the reach you need to land fish. For this reason, most kayak Fishing Nets have telescoping handles that fold up and retract. That being said, the handle should still be strong enough to handle the pressure of hauling fish without breaking. Handles made of anodized aluminium, hardwood, or carbon fibre are ideal.
Portability
You only have so much room for gear on your fishing kayak. The best fishing nets to use on a kayak need to be compact so they can be easily stored inside a kayak. A net with a folding or telescoping handle is great as it packs down to a small package for storage and retracts to give you the reach you need.
Net Material
Last but certainly not least, the kayak netting material should be soft so it doesn’t hurt fish. This is especially important if you intend to release the fish you catch back into the water. A rubber fishing net or a rubber-coated nylon netting without knots is ideal. Besides being fish-friendly, rubberized fishing nets for kayaks can resist tangling, rotting, and mildew and aren’t prone to catching on hooks.
Also, you might be interested in:
Single Product Fishing Kayaks:
- Sevylor Coleman Colorado 2-Person Fishing Kayak Review
- Elkton Outdoors Cormorant Inflatable 2 Person Fishing Kayak Review
FAQs
Q: Why Do I Need A Net For Fishing On A Kayak?
You need to have a fishing net to land fish efficiently when fishing on a kayak. When on a kayak, it’s hard to find the leverage you need to pull fish you hook into. Yanking fish up with only a hook to secure them means you will lose a lot of fish. Having a net makes it so much easier to scoop the fish you catch out of the water. Furthermore, a soft net for fishing is essential for catch and release fishing, as it's gentle on fish.
Q: How To Clean Kayak Fishing Nets?
Rubber fishing nets are resistant to odors and mildew so all you have to do is wipe and rinse them. Nylon fishing nets, on the other hand, require a more thorough cleaning. It's very important to soak them in hot water to kill bacteria and get rid of the smell. After that, clean the net with a fine brush to get rid of stubborn dirt and then rinse it thoroughly.
Q: Is It Safe To Use A Fishing Net When Fishing From A Kayak?
Yes, using a fishing net when fishing from a kayak is not only safe for the fish but also for you. The best kayak fishing nets are rubberized so they won't damage the slime coating or scales on fish. As for your safety, using a fish net makes it so much easier to slide the fish in for a landing. You're less likely to end up in the water that when trying to haul a hard-fighting fish with only a hook securing it.
Globo Surf Overview
Having the best kayak fishing net at your disposal is important if you want to be able to secure the fish you hook into as safely and easily as possible. To make the right choice of the best kayak fishing net, it’s important to choose one with the size of the fish you target in mind. We hope our kayak fishing net reviews have given you the information you need to find the best fishing net for your needs.
More Fishing Kayaks:
- Tandem Fishing Kayaks
- Fishing Float Tube
- Stand Up Fishing Kayaks
- Ocean Fishing Kayaks
- Sit On Top Fishing Kayaks
- Kayak Paddles For Fishing
- Kayak Fishing Accessories
- Pedal Fishing Kayaks
- Kayak Fishing Rods
- River / Fly Fishing Kayaks
- Kayak Knives
Fishing Kayak’s Guides:
- How To Set Up Your Kayak For Fishing
- Tips For Using Your Fishing Float Tube
- Saltwater Kayak Fishing Tips
- Kayak Crabbing Guide – Everything You Need To Know
Do you have one of the landing nets we reviewed? Let us know in the comments below.