Musky net and reel?

[Doug87]

Looking to get a new musky net does anyone have a preference. Beckman is now out of business. Also looking to get a new reel that can handle small bucktails with 6 - 8 blades nothing to big and crank baits like the super shad. Any ideas or reviews would be very helpful thank you.

Stay safe and have fun out there.

[wahoo]

I will leave the net to others. You might look at Avet reels in SX models. An Avet rep gave me a small Avet on a recent tuna trip for my son who lives in St. Paul, works on reels, and fishes muskies, etc. the reel is small and strong and will certainly handle large spinners and the required cranking. As the water is a bit hard right now my son will not be able to test it until Spring. But, the Avets I have for salt are light and strong and cast well.

No, I do not work for Avet.

[Deet]

Several of my fishing friends and I use the Frabill Power Catch nets in 32 x 41" hoop size. Extendable handle, different lengths available. You can get the "big game" model that has thicker mesh for the bag with good rubber coating, which is better for the fish. I just have the tangle free weighted nylon bag, which is also coated, but not as thick as the Big Game bags.

+ Extendable handle slides smooth and locks into place nicely.

+ net is not too heavy. Easy to land fish by myself.

+ 32 x 41" hoop is sufficiently large for fish over 50".

+ "tangle-free" bag is pretty good for not tying your treble hooks in knots with the net. At least it's better than my old (brandless) net and my buddy's old Beckman net.

- These nets are pretty expensive, but you can shop around online for the best deal. I got mine for 120 from Cabelas a couple years ago, though it's listed on Frabill online for 190.

Hope that helps. I don't have experience with too many musky nets, maybe a dozen or so.