Do you guys prefer the nylon type or the rubber type nets? I currently own/use a nylon(or whatever material it is) net and want to upgrade to a bigger net but am curious as to which is better?

Neither. I use Team Catfish fish grips or my hands. I don't even use a landing net on my Center Console.

I switched to a rubber net for fly fishing a couple of years ago....sooo worth the money. Hooks don't hang up in the netting and if you're releasing the fish, its good for them too.

1+

i have enough hanging off the yak already. dont need something else to catch the wind. make a hand gaff for those big girls. b sure to add a lanyard n a lil floatation. something like this or a shorter can easily fit between your legs. cheap, simple, compact, light weight, n effective.

or buy the aluminum ones pre-made for around $30.
my store bought aluminum gaff has a small rubber cap for the tip



or like stated above u could use fish grips for small-mids. again cheap, light weight, simple, compact, n effective
i too use my hands on most fish. i dont care for the metal fish grips at all. Glow in the darks R pretty cool IMO

I use the net to secure that my catch is landed..... My hand is the fish handler, butt them grippers look cool!

My God....I don't think I would put that fish in my boat. That thing has seen better days.

I'm mainly going for bass... I feel like a net is just another thing to get some trebles caught in.... Lipping works best for me... But I know you're often going for 30 + pound cats and what not, so I can see where one might help. If I had one on the boat, it'd be of the rubber variety... I do have some of the fish grippers... I don't actually use them often but they have been invaluable on a few occasions when dealing with big unruly fish and treble hooks and also toothy critters like bowfin... They're one of those rare products that cost a fraction of the 'high dollar' version but actually work as well or better... They're worth the 12 bucks I paid for them even though I don't really use them that much.

The rubber nets have come down in price the past few years. They are much nicer when you are throwing crank baits and better for the fish if you are doing the C&R thing.

Frabil puts out some nets that are coated so not to get hooks caught in them and still not real heavy like the rubber ones. They are made in panels and the bottom of the smallest version the flat bottom panel is 10" wide and 16 " long. Even if your fish is curved lying in the bottom, you get a quick "measurement" for legality of a couple different species.

They also have very short handles which makes them a bit more kayak friendly. They are sold as trout nets. I have three sizes , but only really use the very largest anymore. Since I have started dropping catfish jugs while I am crappie fishing, it takes care of whatever I luck into.

I dunno about this brand in particular but I know a lot of these style grippers are carp.
I've been thru several and finally found one of quality that has lasted a couple of years and still going strong. It has handled some large cats too. It is the team catfish one.

I've busted a couple pairs of the orange ones that Cabelas sells. I've landed bookoos of fish the the Team Catfish grips. Jeff has his made out of stronger plastic and will replace them if they bust.

I went with this exact same net 3 years ago. Broke one, and bought another. Shove a pool noodle over the handle. I had to go diving for mine once. This is a great cheap net. The short handle is the big advantage on the kayak.

Bass fishing only, I use a rubber net on all crankbait fish. I just have an issue with that many treble hooks flopping around such a stratigic body area. The rubber net has yet to get tangled up and it has a clip that attaches easily to any strap.