Fishing Nets for Landing Pike and Salmon: 2026 Guide
Landing a big pike or a bright silver salmon is where most catch-and-release stories fall apart - not at the take, but at the net. This guide breaks down what actually matters in fishing nets for pike and salmon on Irish waters in 2026, and which types to buy, consider or skip.
- Knotless rubber mesh fishing nets with a 60-90cm hoop are the safe buy for pike and salmon in 2026.
- Skip knotted nylon nets - they strip the protective slime coat pike and salmon need to survive release.
- Boat and kayak anglers need a telescopic handle to 3m; bank anglers manage fine with 1.2-1.5m.
- Many Irish rivers run catch-and-release salmon byelaws, so a soft, deep-bag net matters more than a big hoop.
Why This Matters
A net that's the wrong size, mesh or handle length costs you fish. A pike that thrashes free of an undersized hoop at the net has usually been played too hard already, and a salmon dropped back on a knotted mesh net can pick up fin and gill damage that kills it days later, long after you've released it thinking it swam off fine.
Get the mesh, hoop and handle right and landing becomes routine rather than a coin flip. That's the whole point of this guide - not gear for gear's sake, but the specific numbers that decide whether a fish goes back healthy. If you're building out a pike session from scratch, how to catch pike in Irish lakes is worth reading alongside this one.
Who This Is For
This is for anglers landing fish over 5lb regularly - pike specialists working Irish loughs and canals, and salmon and sea trout anglers on rivers where fin-perfect release matters. If you're only ever netting small perch or bream, none of the numbers below apply to you; go smaller and cheaper.
What to Look for in a Fishing Net for Pike and Salmon
Mesh type and hole size
Knotless mesh with 15-20mm holes is the standard for anything you plan to release. Knotted nylon mesh is cheaper but every knot scrapes the slime layer off a fish's flanks, and that layer is the fish's first line of defence against infection.
Rubber-coated or rubberised knotless mesh goes a step further and barely marks scales at all. For pike and salmon in 2026, this isn't a nice-to-have - it's the difference between a fish that recovers in seconds and one that struggles for the next hour.
Hoop diameter
Pike over 15lb and double-figure salmon both need a hoop of at least 60cm, and 90cm gives you margin for anything bigger that turns up unannounced. A tight hoop forces you to bend or fold a big fish to fit, which is exactly the moment gill damage happens.
Go too big, though, and the net becomes unwieldy on a crowded bank or a small boat. 70-80cm covers most pike and salmon situations without turning into dead weight.
Net bag depth
A shallow bag lets a big pike flip itself back out mid-lift. Look for a bag depth of 70cm or more so the fish sits low and calm while you unhook it, rather than thrashing at the rim.
Handle length and material
Bank anglers do fine with a fixed or telescopic handle around 1.2-1.5m. Boat and kayak anglers need more reach - a telescopic pole extending to 3m covers the gap between rod tip and water when you're sitting low in a kayak.
Carbon and aluminium handles both work; the real difference is telescoping versus fixed. A folding or telescopic frame matters more for storage than for strength, especially if you're already carrying rods, unhooking mats and a bank bag.
Frame strength and joint quality
Cheap folding joints crack under the weight of a proper double-figure pike, usually at the worst possible moment - mid-lift, over open water. Aluminium alloy frames with a solid locking collar handle repeated big-fish landings without flexing.
Weight and portability
A net that's a pain to carry gets left in the car. If you're walking any distance to a lough shore or a river beat, weight and a decent carry strap matter as much as hoop size.
Top Picks by Net Type
The workhorse: 80-90cm knotless rubber mesh net with a 2m telescopic handle. This covers pike from 10lb to 30lb-plus and most salmon without a rethink. Deep bag, wide hoop, mesh that doesn't strip slime. Buy - this is the default for anyone landing fish they intend to release.
The false economy: knotted nylon mesh net under €20. Cheap, light, and fine for coarse fishing where fish go straight in a keepnet. For pike and salmon release work it does real damage through mesh abrasion. Skip.
The boat specialist: telescopic drop net extending to 3m with a 70cm hoop. Built for reaching down from a boat or kayak without leaning dangerously over the side. Slightly heavier to carry, not ideal for long bank walks. Buy if you fish from a boat or kayak regularly, Consider otherwise.
The travel net: compact folding net with a 1.2m fixed handle and 50-60cm hoop. Packs down small for short river sessions and salmon beats where you're walking miles of bank in a day. Too small for big pike work. Consider for salmon and river trout, Skip for serious pike.
The wildcard: rubber-mesh tailer-style net for salmon on catch-and-release beats. Soft bag, minimal handling time, built specifically around getting a fish back in the water fast. Consider if you fish rivers with strict catch-and-release byelaws, where minimising handling time is the priority over hoop size. If you're kitting out for a river session, pair it with a look at waders for river fishing in Ireland - you'll be wading to net position more than you think.
What to Avoid
- Knotted mesh nets marketed as "all-purpose." They look identical to knotless nets in a photo. Check the mesh construction before buying, not after you've damaged a fish.
- Undersized hoops on "pike nets" under 50cm. A 50cm hoop looks generous in a shop but folds a 20lb pike in half at the net. Measure against the fish you actually catch, not the fish in the marketing photo.
- Fixed-handle nets for boat or kayak work. No reach adjustment means you either lean too far over the side or can't get the net under the fish at all. Telescopic is non-negotiable off a boat.
Verdict Comparison Table
| Net type | Hoop | Mesh | Handle | Best for | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber knotless workhorse | 80-90cm | Knotless, 15-20mm | 2m telescopic | General pike and salmon | Buy |
| Knotted nylon budget net | 60-70cm | Knotted | 1.5m fixed | Coarse fishing only | Skip |
| Telescopic boat drop net | 70cm | Knotless | 3m telescopic | Boat and kayak | Buy |
| Compact travel net | 50-60cm | Knotless | 1.2m fixed | Short river sessions | Consider |
| Salmon tailer-style net | 50-60cm | Soft rubber bag | 1.5m fixed | Catch-and-release rivers | Consider |
FAQ
What's the best fishing net for landing pike in Ireland?
An 80-90cm knotless rubber mesh net with a deep bag and a telescopic handle around 2m handles most Irish pike from 10lb upwards. Anything smaller risks folding a big fish at the rim.
Is a knotless net better than a knotted net for pike and salmon?
Yes - knotless mesh doesn't strip the protective slime layer the way knotted nylon does. For any fish you plan to release, knotless is the standard choice in 2026.
How big a hoop do I need for salmon?
60-70cm covers most Irish salmon. Go to 80-90cm if you're also targeting pike with the same net.
Do I need a different net for boat fishing versus bank fishing?
For boats and kayaks, yes - a telescopic handle extending to 3m is close to essential to reach the water safely. Bank anglers manage fine with 1.2-1.5m.
How much does a good pike or salmon landing net cost?
Prices vary by hoop size, mesh quality and handle length, so check current pricing on the site for the exact model you want. Budget nylon-mesh nets sit well below rubber knotless telescopic models.
Does mesh size matter for fish health?
It matters a lot. Mesh holes around 15-20mm on a knotless weave support the fish evenly without snagging fins or gill covers the way tighter, knotted mesh can.
Can I use the same net for pike and salmon?
Yes, provided the hoop is at least 70cm and the mesh is knotless. Most Irish anglers who target both species run one net rather than switching between sessions.
What's the biggest mistake anglers make buying a landing net?
Buying on hoop size alone and ignoring mesh type. A big hoop with knotted mesh still damages the fish you're trying to protect on release.
One Last Thing
The hoop size gets all the attention in net shopping, but mesh construction does more damage over a season than an undersized hoop ever will. A knotted net that looks fine in the shop will, over dozens of pike and salmon releases across 2026, leave more fish with compromised slime coats than a slightly-too-small knotless net would. If you're choosing between the two, mesh wins every time.