I throw a Bait Buster 7' 5/8" mesh for big gizzards during the winter months. I use those mostly for cut bait for blue cats. I throw a Betts Pro 7' 3/8" mesh for smaller threadfins for live bait fishing during the warmer months. You can't go wrong with either net. The Bait Buster opens better and is easier to throw.

What brands hold up best? None of them when you hang em.

Cost? a good net that is paneled will set you back way the other side of a double ought.

I always kept an eight foot 1" mesh net in the boat that I used for mullet down on the coast. One day the infamous Ryan Hall down at lake Livingston found it buried up in one of my dry storage compartments during a boat inspection. He took the net out and measured it. I told him I used it exclusively at the coast for mullet. Didn't matter a bit to him as he confiscated the net and said he would burn it. He also stated that If I had any fish in the boat I would be cited for every fish in my possession. All of this was after he had checked my boat as well as Michael's on numerous occasions during guide trips with no non-conformance. The guy's father was a great game warden but sometimes viewed as a bit too relaxed. I guess that's why his son is/was a real jerk with something to prove. However, it finally caught up to him as he was met at his house and beat within an inch of his life by someone. After that he was quickly transferred to another county.

I wonder if he eased up on the burning of personal property considered to be confiscated material by the Kingdom.

Sorry, I mean state..

The best net is knowing how to throw a net without putting it in your mouth, or putting it over your shoulder and getting all wet. One handed, no mouth, is the way to go. Some low cost nets the guides from back home use are Memphis net and twine, and Lee Fisher. I just bought a joy fish by Lee Fisher and it is awesome. These nets are soft and spread easily and are much easier to throw than what is available at retail stores. But again any net will work if you know how to throw it.