Bigger Drennan Specialist landing nets

[sam vimes]

Having had the odd conversation about this before, I'm pretty sure that I'm not alone in having wished that Drennan would produce their Super Specialist landing nets in sizes that bit bigger than 22". At long last, Drennan have got round to doing just that with the new 24 and 26" Specialist landing nets.

 

[binka]

Strangely enough I had gone the other way just recently and ordered an 18" Super Specialist from my local tackle shop whilst he was placing an order with Drennan the other week.

I called in today to see if it had arrived but only to be told they've discontinued it and so I went for a 16" match for my silvers fishing.

I like the idea of the bigger ones though, I just hope the 'tea bag' frame sleeve is stronger than the Korum equivalent used to be but I would have preferred just normal mesh sleeving as per the 22".

 

[sam vimes]

I like the idea of the bigger ones though, I just hope the 'tea bag' frame sleeve is stronger than the Korum equivalent used to be but I would have preferred just normal mesh sleeving as per the 22".

I had the unfortunate requirement to try and squeeze an 18lb carp into one of the Acolyte nets last year. Not something I'd recommend, but the "tea bag" sleeve, and the net as a whole, survived the experience.

 

[keora]

Have you noticed that you can no longer view the whole Drennan website unless you register with a name and password etc? I suppose the intention is that they'll pester you with emails until you buy something. It's a pity because often I've recommended Drennan equipment on this site by including a link to the right page on the Drennan site.

 

[wetthrough]

What can't you view? I've just been on and seem to be able to see everything without registering.

 

[sam vimes]

Have you noticed that you can no longer view the whole Drennan website unless you register with a name and password etc?

I'm not signed up, but there's nothing obvious that I can't view. Perhaps there's some content that's totally invisible, but I don't really care. I can see their products, that's all I'm really bothered about.

 

[Richox12]

Have you noticed that you can no longer view the whole Drennan website unless you register with a name and password etc? I suppose the intention is that they'll pester you with emails until you buy something. It's a pity because often I've recommended Drennan equipment on this site by including a link to the right page on the Drennan site.

I can view everything same as before no problems. Maybe it's a dealer/retailer thing ?

 

[Neil Maidment]

Drennan don't sell direct to the unwashed public but all of the relevant parts of the website are freely available.

You can register to receive their newsletter and new releases if you so wish. It's only the corporate, media and retail partners areas that need specific registration.

I like their 36" "Specialist" nets for my barbel fishing, strong, not too heavy when immersed and plenty of depth for resting fish.

 

[dicky123]

The 26'' is perfect for my tench/carp fishing, just ordered one thanks for the heads up guys.

 

[Philip]

I had the unfortunate requirement to try and squeeze an 18lb carp into one of the Acolyte nets last year.

Nerve racking, Tense, knee wobbing requirement maybe ...but "unfortunate" ? ....surely its good fortune you hooked it in the first place... :tongue-new:

That aside ...this thread has come at a good time as I am in the market for a new mid sized net. Both the 32 Specialist triangular or the 26 Oval look like they might fit the bill.

Application is for general roving for Chub, Barbel, Zander, probably use it for Tench, Bream as well.

Lightness is important.

Anyone have an opinion on which would be better ? ... or maybe something else altogether ...

 

[sam vimes]

Nerve racking, Tense, knee wobbing requirement maybe ...but "unfortunate" ? ....surely its good fortune you hooked it in the first place... :tongue-new:

It was all of those things for me. Bloody unfortunate for the origami carp though.

 

[Richox12]

Certainly for any reasonably sized chub, tench & bream a 20" is more than adequate. I don't know about Zander and barbel depend upon size, circumstances, flow etc. But I would be very disappointed if a 6lb - 8lb fish didn't fit into a 20" as double figure carp do - easily. However, I would be very happy if I actually caught one of those on my travels.

 

[tigger]

Nerve racking, Tense, knee wobbing requirement maybe ...but "unfortunate" ? ....surely its good fortune you hooked it in the first place... :tongue-new:

That aside ...this thread has come at a good time as I am in the market for a new mid sized net. Both the 32 Specialist triangular or the 26 Oval look like they might fit the bill.

Application is for general roving for Chub, Barbel, Zander, probably use it for Tench, Bream as well.

Lightness is important.

Anyone have an opinion on which would be better ? ... or maybe something else altogether ...

I use a folding net that can clip on my back or on my waist. Mines an abu and i'e squeezed barbel to just over 13lb in it ok
Snowbee do a xxxl large one thats perfect, i'll get one of those when mines bites the bullet.
They arn't cheap thougn being around the 40 notes marker!

 

[Philip]

I use a folding net that can clip on my back or on my waist. Mines an abu and i'e squeezed barbel to just over 13lb in it ok
Snowbee do a xxxl large one thats perfect, i'll get one of those when mines bites the bullet.
They arn't cheap thougn being around the 40 notes marker!

Funnily enough a clip on folding net is exactly what I am currently using as my mid sized net although not an Abu one. I found a really light foldable one that looked spot on (I think its made by waterqueen), never seen a lighter one but I just cant get on with it. The net head is just not deep enough & a bad shape & I recently almost lost a fish due to it.

Ideally I would like to keep the handle but change the head but being foldable thats not possible as its all integrated. Hence why I a in the market for a new one.

How light is the Abu & snowbee ones ?

 

[tigger]

Funnily enough a clip on folding net is exactly what I am currently using as my mid sized net although not an Abu one. I found a really light foldable one that looked spot on (I think its made by waterqueen), never seen a lighter one but I just cant get on with it. The net head is just not deep enough & a bad shape & I recently almost lost a fish due to it.

Ideally I would like to keep the handle but change the head but being foldable thats not possible as its all integrated. Hence why I a in the market for a new one.

How light is the Abu & snowbee ones ?

The abu one I have has a deep net, ample for barbel, so does the snowbee and they're both nice and light.
As light as the abu net is I still carry it in my hand until at the spot i'm using it in, then it gets cliped to my belt or trouser waist.
If your roaving and do a lot of wading then they're as gòod as you'll get....to my knowledge at least.
If your roaving and at the top of bankings then your best off to use a normal net atatched to a tele pole, or thats what I use.

 

[Philip]

It sounds like we do much the same thing with regards to nets. I have an extra long tele handle with a screw head fitting that I can attach a normal net head to for very high banks although that’s for specific situations. For the most part I just take the folding net with me.

What I like about the foldable nets is that its all integrated so you don’t need to screw on / screw off a head plus you can just fold and it up and bung it in the back of the car in seconds and it takes up no room. The water queen one I have is the lightest I have ever seen for the size, literally featherweight but I just can’t get on with it unfortunately. I considered trying to change the mesh to something deeper but its going to be more pain that its worth hence why I have started to look around.

In addition I managed to pay around with a Drennan SS twist lock handle recently…not easy to find were I am and I liked that allot. The idea of teaming that with the large Drennan head seemed appealing…

 

[tigger]

It sounds like we do much the same thing with regards to nets. I have an extra long tele handle with a screw head fitting that I can attach a normal net head to for very high banks although that’s for specific situations. For the most part I just take the folding net with me.

What I like about the foldable nets is that its all integrated so you don’t need to screw on / screw off a head plus you can just fold and it up and bung it in the back of the car in seconds and it takes up no room. The water queen one I have is the lightest I have ever seen for the size, literally featherweight but I just can’t get on with it unfortunately. I considered trying to change the mesh to something deeper but its going to be more pain that its worth hence why I have started to look around.

In addition I managed to pay around with a Drennan SS twist lock handle recently…not easy to find were I am and I liked that allot. The idea of teaming that with the large Drennan head seemed appealing…

I have a drennan twistlock staff but I would only take that with me if fishing static with rods in the air . It's just too heavy and clumbersom for roaving, for me anyhow. I use a cheap, light telescopic staff for roaving on rivers where I fish off the banks. I've been using the same one now for a number of years and it was only about 6 or 7 quid to buy. Theres loads for sale at that same kinda price.