Honest Reviews. Expert Advice. Better Fishing
Heavy-duty net built for bigger fish
The problem with most budget nets shows up the moment you hook a fish that actually pulls: the hoop is too small, the handle flexes, and lifting the catch feels like a gamble. The Frabill Trophy Haul is the net you reach for when you’ve outgrown that problem and want gear sized for serious fish.
Frabill built the Trophy Haul around real trophy-class fishing. The line comes in large hoop sizes up to 24 by 27 inches, so there’s a size for anglers chasing everything from solid bass and walleye to pike and other big-shouldered fish. That range alone separates it from the one-size compact nets that dominate the budget shelf.
Fish safety is a genuine strength here. The conservation netting and flat-bottom design are built to be gentle on a fish’s slime coat, which matters if you release fish and want them swimming off healthy. For an angler who cares about the resource, that’s not a marketing line; it’s a real advantage over knotted nylon mesh.
The handle system is designed for control. A sliding handle extends your reach when you’re leaning out to scoop a fish, and the yoke plus rear Power Grip handles let you lift the net’s weight directly at the hoop. When you’re swinging a heavy fish over the side of a boat, that leverage is exactly what you want.
The honest tradeoffs are size and the handle. This is a bulkier, heavier net than a kayak or backpack angler wants to carry, and some owners report the sliding handle sticking or popping out of position. Neither is a dealbreaker for boat anglers, but they’re worth knowing before you buy.
For anglers who’ve graduated to bigger water and bigger fish, this is the most complete net in the group. Bottom line: the Frabill Trophy Haul is the best overall choice when you need a real boat net built to land trophy fish.
| Type | Sliding-handle boat net |
| Hoop Size | 18x21, 21x24, or 24x27 in options |
| Handle Length | Sliding handle to ~48 in |
| Net Material | Conservation mesh with flat bottom |
| Weight | Varies by hoop size (heavier boat net) |
| Best For | Boat anglers targeting larger fish |
The standard line offers 18x21, 21x24, and 24x27 inch hoops, so you can match the net to the size of fish you target.
Yes. Frabill uses conservation-style netting with a flat bottom that's designed to be gentle on a fish's slime coat and easier on the fish while it's in the net.
The handle slides out to extend your reach when netting a fish, then collapses back down. A few users note it can stick or pop loose, so check the fit when you receive it.
It can work, but it's really a boat net. The larger hoops and sliding handle are bulkier than dedicated compact kayak nets.
The yoke and rear Power Grip handles let you lift the net's weight directly at the hoop, which makes swinging a heavy fish over the gunwale much easier.