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Bottom line up front: The Plusinno Folding Landing Net is our top pick for bass anglers on a budget — rubber-coated mesh, a telescoping handle, and a price tag that sits comfortably under $20. If you want more hoop size, grab the SF Landing Net instead. Either way, you don't need to spend $60 to land fish cleanly and get them back in the water fast.
There's a persistent myth in bass fishing that a good landing net is a luxury. You'll hear guys at the ramp say they just lip every fish or swing them in by the line. And yeah, that works — until you're reaching for a 5-pounder in choppy water from the front deck of a kayak, the fish rolls, the hook pops, and she's gone.
A proper landing net isn't about being fancy. It's about controlling the moment between the strike and the livewell or the release. Rubber mesh protects the fish's slime coat (which matters if you're practicing catch-and-release). A rigid hoop gives you a target in low light. A decent handle keeps you from leaning too far over the gunwale.
None of that costs $60. We've spent time with nets across the sub-$25 price range, talked to bass club members who fish tournament trails on tight budgets, and dug into specs, materials, and real-world durability. Here's what you need to know.
Quick Comparison Table
Plusinno Folding Landing Net
SF Landing Net
EGO S1 Compact
Wakeman Folding Net
KastKing Fishing Net
Our Top 5 Bass Nets Under $25
1. Plusinno Folding Landing Net — Best Overall
Price: ~$17 | Check Price on Amazon → →
Specs:
- Hoop: 15" x 13" (oval)
- Handle: 23" collapsed / 39" extended
- Mesh: Rubber-coated, knotless
- Frame: Aluminum alloy
- Weight: 11 oz
- Colors: Black/Green
The Plusinno is the net I keep clipped to my kayak rigging year-round. The telescoping handle collapses down to a manageable 23 inches — small enough that it's not constantly in the way when you're paddling — but extends to 39 inches when you need the reach. That extra length matters when you're sitting low in a kayak and a decent bass is thrashing at the surface three feet from the bow.
The rubber-coated mesh is the real selling point here. Nylon mesh — the cheap stuff you see on gas station impulse-buy nets — abrades a fish's slime coat and can tangle hooks in seconds. Rubber mesh slides hooks out cleanly, and the fish hits the water looking the same as when it came in. For tournament anglers practicing catch-and-release, that's not a minor detail.
The folding mechanism has a simple push-button lock. I've had mine fold up unexpectedly exactly once — first day out, before I figured out I wasn't engaging the lock fully. Since then, zero issues through two full seasons.
What I'd flag: The 15" x 13" hoop is right-sized for bass up to about 4–4.5 lbs. You can land bigger fish, but it takes more maneuvering. If you're regularly targeting trophy largemouth, step up to the SF Landing Net below.
Pros:
- Rubber mesh protects fish and sheds hooks easily
- Compact telescoping handle — genuinely portable
- Aluminum frame doesn't rust
- One of the best values in sub-$20 nets
Cons:
- Hoop size limits effectiveness on big bass
- Locking mechanism requires conscious engagement
- No attachment clip included
Who It's For: Kayak anglers, bank fishers, and anyone who needs a net that stores small but performs large.
2. SF Landing Net — Best Hoop Size Under $25
Price: ~$22 | Check Price on Amazon → →
Specs:
- Hoop: 18" x 14" (oval)
- Handle: 24" fixed
- Mesh: Rubber-coated, knotless
- Frame: Aluminum alloy
- Weight: 13 oz
- Colors: Black
The SF nets have developed a quiet reputation among bass club anglers because they deliver genuine quality at a price that doesn't make you wince when you drop one overboard. The 18" x 14" hoop is meaningfully larger than most sub-$25 competitors — it's the difference between netting a 5-lb bass in one clean scoop and wrestling her in on the third attempt while your partner watches.
The fixed handle isn't for everyone. At 24 inches, it's a good length for boat use — long enough to reach the water from a seated position without leaning dangerously over the side, but not so long it's cumbersome in tight quarters. If you need a telescoping option, this isn't your net. But fixed handles are structurally simpler and therefore less likely to fail at the worst possible moment.
Rubber mesh performance here is identical to the Plusinno — knotless, hook-shedding, fish-friendly. The aluminum frame has held up well for members of our local bass club who've been running these for two seasons without surface corrosion despite regular freshwater exposure.
What I'd flag: No storage bag included, and the fixed handle makes this harder to pack for hiking-in trips. It's a boat net and works best in that context.
Pros:
- Largest hoop in this price tier — handles big bass
- Solid rubber mesh with good depth (12 inches of bag depth)
- Aluminum frame resists corrosion
- Simple, durable fixed-handle design
Cons:
- Fixed handle limits portability
- No carabiner or clip included
- Slightly heavier than folding competitors
Who It's For: Bass boat anglers who want a dedicated, do-one-thing-well landing net without the cost of a premium brand.
3. EGO S1 Compact — Best for Wade Fishing
Price: ~$19 | Check Price on Amazon → →
Specs:
- Hoop: 15" x 11" (oval)
- Handle: 18" fixed
- Mesh: Nylon, knotless
- Frame: Fiberglass composite
- Weight: 9 oz
- Colors: Black/Yellow
The EGO S1 Compact is the lightest net on this list at 9 ounces, and the fiberglass composite frame makes it genuinely buoyant — useful if you're wade fishing a river and your net slips off your vest. The 18-inch handle keeps it compact enough to clip to a wading belt without swinging into your legs every three steps.
The nylon mesh is the trade-off you make for that price and weight. It's not rubber. Hooks can tangle, and it's less gentle on a fish's slime coat than rubber-coated alternatives. That said, it's knotless nylon — a significant step up from the knotted nylon mesh on bargain-basement nets — and for anglers practicing immediate release in moving water, the exposure time is short enough that it's not a major concern.
Where the EGO S1 genuinely earns its spot here is wadeability. Nine ounces. Clips to anything. Floats if dropped. Handles small to medium bass (up to about 3–3.5 lbs) without drama. If you're wading streams and small rivers for spotted bass or smallmouth, this is the practical choice.
What I'd flag: The 15" x 11" hoop is the smallest on our list. This is not a big-bass net. It's a wading net for moderate-sized fish in moving water.
Pros:
- Lightest net on our list — 9 oz
- Floats — invaluable for wade fishing
- Compact 18" handle clips easily to wading gear
- Fiberglass frame doesn't conduct cold like aluminum
Cons:
- Nylon mesh tangles hooks more easily than rubber
- Smallest hoop in the lineup
- Not suited for large largemouth
Who It's For: Wade fishers targeting smallmouth and spotted bass in rivers and streams.
4. Wakeman Folding Net — Best Budget Pick
Price: ~$15 | Check Price on Amazon → →
Specs:
- Hoop: 14" x 12" (oval)
- Handle: 30"–48" telescoping
- Mesh: Nylon, knotless
- Frame: Aluminum alloy
- Weight: 14 oz
- Colors: Camo / Black
At $15, the Wakeman is the entry point — and it earns its place on this list because the telescoping handle is legitimately useful. Extending from 30 to 48 inches, it gives bank anglers more reach than any other net here without requiring them to take three steps into murky water to make a play on a fish.
The nylon mesh is the same caveat as the EGO: not rubber, hooks will occasionally tangle, less fish-friendly than rubber alternatives. But for a beginner's first net, for a kid who keeps losing tackle to bankside brush, or for an angler who fishes from a dock where extra handle length is the priority, the Wakeman makes sense.
Construction is straightforward aluminum with a twist-lock telescoping handle. It's not going to win engineering awards, but it works. I've seen these used by shore anglers at local ponds for a full season without structural failure.
What I'd flag: At 14 oz, it's the heaviest net on this list despite being the smallest hoop. The long telescoping handle adds weight. Also, the nylon mesh means more hook tangles — budget extra untangling time.
Pros:
- Longest possible handle reach (up to 48 inches)
- Lowest price on our list at ~$15
- Good telescoping range for bank and dock fishing
- Widely available in stores and online
Cons:
- Nylon mesh tangles more easily
- Heaviest net on the list
- Smaller hoop limits applicability for large bass
- No rubber mesh option at this price
Who It's For: Beginners, shoreline anglers, dock fishers who need extra reach on a strict budget.
5. KastKing Fishing Net — Best All-Arounder
Price: ~$24 | Check Price on Amazon → →
Specs:
- Hoop: 17" x 13" (oval)
- Handle: 26"–47" telescoping
- Mesh: Rubber-coated, knotless
- Frame: Aluminum alloy
- Weight: 12 oz
- Colors: Black/Orange
KastKing has built a legitimate reputation in the budget tackle space, and their landing net reflects the same design philosophy they apply to rods and reels: more features per dollar than most competitors at this tier. The 17" x 13" hoop sits between the Plusinno and the SF in terms of size — large enough for solid bass, compact enough that the telescoping handle collapses the whole package to a manageable length.
The rubber-coated mesh is genuine. No hook-tangling in testing. Fish go in clean, come out clean. The telescoping handle gives you the versatility the SF's fixed handle lacks — useful if you're fishing from both a kayak and a jon boat on different days, or if you're sharing a net between shore trips and float tube sessions.
At $24, it's the most expensive net on this list. But it's also the most versatile: rubber mesh, telescoping handle, mid-large hoop, and KastKing's brand warranty. If you're buying one net to cover multiple fishing scenarios, this is the one.
What I'd flag: Sits at the top of our price range. If you're committed to staying under $20, the Plusinno covers most of the same ground for less money.
Pros:
- Rubber-coated mesh — best for fish health and hook release
- Versatile telescoping handle (26"–47")
- Mid-large hoop handles most bass without drama
- KastKing brand reliability and warranty
Cons:
- Most expensive on this list at ~$24
- Handle lock can feel stiff at first
- Orange color scheme isn't for everyone
Who It's For: Anglers who want one net that works from a kayak, a boat, or the bank — rubber mesh included.
What to Look for in a Bass Net Under $25
Mesh Material
This is the most important spec in this price range. Rubber-coated mesh is better for bass: it protects the slime coat (the fish's immune system barrier), sheds hooks faster, and reduces injury to the fish during the landing process. Knotless nylon is acceptable — particularly for wade fishing where fish see the net briefly. Knotted nylon is what you find on truly cheap nets, and it's worth avoiding — it tangles hooks aggressively and damages fish.
Hoop Size
For bass fishing, you want a minimum hoop of about 14" x 12". A 5-lb largemouth is a bigger fish than she looks when she's broadside in the water. Larger hoops (17"+ wide) give you more room for error when you're scooping — important in windy conditions or low light.
Handle Length and Type
Fixed handles are simpler and more structurally sound. Telescoping handles offer versatility across fishing contexts. For kayak and bank fishing, telescoping is often the more practical choice. For dedicated boat use, fixed is fine.
Frame Material
Aluminum alloy is standard at this price point. It won't rust in freshwater with reasonable care. Fiberglass composite (as in the EGO) is lighter and buoyant. Avoid pure steel frames — they're heavy and will eventually surface-corrode.
Accessories Worth Adding
If you're investing in a landing net, a few cheap additions extend its usefulness significantly:
- Magnetic release clip (~$8–12): Keeps your net attached to a D-ring on a vest or kayak rigging and releases instantly when you need it. Check price → →
- Rubber fish grip (~$10–15): For the landing process when you want to transfer fish without a livewell. Check price → →
- Fish-safe lip gripper (~$12–18): Pairs naturally with a net for quick hook removal and measurement. Check price → →
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I really need a rubber mesh net for bass, or is nylon fine?
For catch-and-release bass fishing, rubber mesh is meaningfully better. Bass have a slime coat — a mucus layer that protects them from infection and stress. Nylon mesh, especially knotted nylon, abrades that coating during the time the fish spends in the net. Rubber mesh maintains its surface contact without that abrasive effect. It also sheds treble hooks much faster, which means less handling time and a cleaner release. If you're keeping fish for the table, the