The landing net is the piece of tackle that ends the fight and protects the fish. It is also the piece of tackle that beginners most commonly get wrong – using a net that is too small, too deep, or incorrectly shaped for the species they are catching. Getting a fish to the net after a long fight and then losing it because the net is undersized or mishandled is one of the most deflating moments in coarse fishing.
This guide covers landing net sizes, mesh types, handle lengths, and the correct technique for netting fish safely for different types of UK fishing.
[Image placeholder: A large carp being safely netted in a 42-inch round carp landing net, showing the fish fully enclosed in the net with the mesh wet and the angler’s hands supporting the net frame]
Why the Right Net Matters
A landing net that is too small causes problems:
- Fish cannot be fully contained – they thrash against the net frame and can injure themselves or pull free
- Forcing a too-large fish into a too-small net can cause scale loss and physical damage
- Very large fish (carp over 10lb, pike) cannot be safely netted without a sufficiently large frame
A net that is too large is less of a problem but can be awkward to manage in tight bank situations and is unnecessary for species under 2lb.
Net Frame Shapes and Sizes
Pan or Round Nets (30-42 inches)
Circular nets with a simple round frame. The most widely used landing net in UK coarse fishing.
- 30 inches (approx 75cm diameter): Standard for general coarse fishing – roach, bream, tench, small to medium chub and barbel. Handles most species up to 5lb.
- 36 inches (90cm diameter): A versatile all-round size. Good for barbel to 10lb+, tench, bream, and all common coarse species. A sensible single-net purchase for most coarse anglers.
- 42 inches (106cm diameter): Standard carp fishing net. Required by most fisheries for carp of any size. The 42-inch net is the minimum acceptable size for safe carp fishing.
Match Nets (30-36 inches, triangular or round)
Lighter framed, often triangular or round, designed to be fished with one hand while holding the rod. Match nets fold compactly and attach to a bankstick or are held in the non-rod hand.
Used for: River and canal match fishing, waggler fishing for smaller species.
Carp Nets (42 inches and above)
Large, deep-meshed round nets designed for carp. The deep net (typically 60-90cm depth) prevents large carp from rolling over the net frame when contained. Carp nets typically come in pairs (matching nets on matching rods) for overnight or session fishing.
Used for: All carp fishing. Many fisheries specify a minimum net size (42 inches is common).
Pike Triangle Nets
Triangular nets (typically 36-42 inches per side) with a spreader block system that holds the net wide open during use. Triangle nets can be laid flat on the bank, which is important for pike unhooking – the pike lies flat and still in the net while hooks are removed.
Used for: Pike fishing (essential), zander.
Note on pike: Never use a round deep-meshed net for pike. The pike’s elongated body can fold into a round net and cause injury when the fish thrashes. A flat triangle net is the correct pike landing tool.
Telescopic Pole Heads
For pole fishing in matches, a lightweight triangular pole head (without a handle – it is attached to the bank) is the standard. Very lightweight, often 30-36 inches, designed to be stored on a bankstick while fishing.
Handle Length
Landing net handles range from a short 1.5m (5ft) extending handle for close-in fishing to 3m (10ft) for fishing at distance from steep banks or on rivers with significant margins.
1.5-2m: Adequate for most commercial fisheries where the bank is low and fish are landed close to the margin.
2.5-3m: Better for higher banks, deep gravel pits with steep margins, or situations where fish need to be steered further before netting.
Telescopic handles: Most landing net handles are telescopic (extending). Check the locking mechanism is secure – a handle that collapses when lifting a heavy fish is dangerous for the fish and humiliating for the angler.
Pannet (combined bankstick and net head): Used in match fishing – a lightweight combined unit that screws into a bankstick on the bank, positioned at the water’s surface before the match begins.
Mesh Type
Knotless Mesh
The standard mesh for any coarse fishing involving fish welfare. Knotless mesh does not have the hard knot at each mesh intersection that knotted mesh has – this means it does not abrade fish scales and does not damage the protective mucus layer (slime) that fish use for disease protection.
Virtually all modern coarse fishing landing nets use knotless mesh. Always use knotless mesh for carp, barbel, tench, pike, or any fish that will be retained for photography.
Knotted Mesh
Cheaper mesh with hard knots at each intersection. Acceptable for sea fishing where fish welfare is less of a concern (most sea fishing results in fish for the table). Not recommended for freshwater coarse fishing.
Micromesh
A very fine knotless mesh with tiny openings (1-3mm). Micromesh prevents the smallest hooks, maggots, or casters from passing through the net and entangling. Also prevents the dorsal and pectoral fins of small fish from passing through the mesh and becoming trapped.
Used in: Match fishing, general coarse fishing for smaller species, carp fishing with small hooks.
Note: Very fine micromesh takes longer to dry and is heavier when wet, but is the safest option for small hooks and prevents fish fin damage.
Specialist Pike Mesh
Pike landing nets use a specific large-mesh net (approximately 25-30mm diamond mesh) that is knotless and semi-rigid. The larger mesh opens easily as the net is submerged and allows pike to enter. Fine micromesh can make pike netting difficult as the resistance of fine mesh in water requires more force to envelop the fish.
Correct Netting Technique
Incorrect netting is the most common cause of fish lost at the net and fish injuries from the netting process.
Step 1: Prepare the net before the fish is ready
Submerge the net head into the water before the fish is close. An unsubmerged net, dipped at the last moment, creates a water surface disruption that panics the fish and can cause a final dive.
Step 2: Keep the net stationary at the surface
Hold the net stationary in the surface film, slightly submerged. Do not chase the fish with the net.
Step 3: Lead the fish over the net
Guide the fish (using the rod to control direction) headfirst over the submerged net frame. The fish should swim over the net of its own accord as you apply side pressure with the rod.
Step 4: Lift the net, not the fish
Once the fish is over the net frame and fully in the mesh, lift the net frame to contain the fish. Do not attempt to lift the fish out of the water on the handle – lower the handle angle and draw the net and fish to a safe landing position.
Step 5: Land the fish safely
On a hard bank, place an unhooking mat before the fish is netted, or place the mat immediately after netting. Do not place fish on bare ground, grass, or concrete.
Keepnets
A keepnet is not a landing net – it is a separate elongated net in which fish are stored alive during a match or session before being weighed and returned. Keepnets must:
- Be at least 2.5m in length (current Environment Agency minimum)
- Use knotless mesh (legal requirement)
- Have wide, smooth rings that do not injure fish
- Be fully submerged in water during use
Not all fishing allows keepnets. Check fishery rules – many specimen and barbel fisheries ban keepnets. The Environment Agency also prohibits keepnets on some stretches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size landing net do I need for carp fishing?
A 42-inch (approximately 105cm) round knotless micromesh net is the standard minimum for carp fishing. Many fisheries specify this size in their rules. A larger 44-48 inch net is beneficial for very large fish (over 25lb). Never use a small match net for carp – it is unsafe for the fish and inadequate to contain a large, powerful fish.
Do I need a specific net for pike?
Yes. A triangular “pike net” or “triangle net” with large mesh is the correct choice for pike. It lies flat, allowing the fish to be laid still for unhooking, and the large mesh opens easily when submerged. Do not use a deep, round carp net for pike – the fish can fold and injure itself in a deep-framed net.
How deep should a landing net be?
For carp and large species, net depth of at least 60-70cm (roughly matching the frame diameter) prevents fish from rolling over the frame when contained. For smaller species (roach, bream, small chub), net depth is less critical – a shallower net is easier to manage.
Can I share a landing net with another angler?
Yes, sharing a net is fine if fishing a multi-rod setup from one spot. However, biosecurity rules apply: if you move between fisheries, your net must be clean, dried, and free from plant material or mud before use in a new water. This prevents the transfer of invasive species and diseases (including crayfish, killer shrimp, and fish diseases) between venues.
Should I dip my net in the water before netting?
Yes – always submerge the net head before the fish is ready to land. A dry net plunged suddenly into the water creates a commotion that alarms the fish. A submerged, stationary net at the surface allows you to lead the fish calmly over the frame. Prepare the net at the start of the session, not when you are fighting the fish.