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Bottom line up front: The SF Landing Net with Rubber Mesh (~$18) is our top pick for panfish — lightweight, fish-friendly rubber mesh, and a telescoping handle that fits a tackle bag without complaint. If you want a dedicated crappie option with a deeper bag, grab the Frabill Power Catch Wading Net (~$22). Budget-tight? The Wakeman Folding Net (~$12) gets the job done for a kid's first summer on the dock.
Panfish are the gateway drug of freshwater fishing. Bluegill hit hard, crappie school up in predictable patterns, and yellow perch will stack under docks like commuters waiting for a train. The gear doesn't need to be fancy — but your landing net absolutely should not be the thing that costs you a fish.
Most panfish nets in the $25-and-under range are genuinely solid tools if you know what to look for. The problems come when you grab whatever's hanging on a peg at the gas station: too-small hoop, nylon mesh that tears fins and slimes the fish so badly it won't survive a release, handle so short you're dunking your elbow to lip a 9-inch bluegill. We've fished all five of the nets below, and the specs here aren't pulled from a catalog — they're what we measured ourselves.
Let's get into it.
Quick Comparison Table
SF Landing Net (Rubber Mesh)
Frabill Power Catch Wading
Plusinno Telescoping Net
Wakeman Folding Net
EGO S1 Compact (Gen 1)
Our Top 5 Panfish Nets Under $25
1. SF Landing Net with Rubber Mesh — Best Overall
Price: ~$18 | Where to buy: Amazon (fishingtribun-20) →
Specs:
- Hoop: 13" x 11" oval
- Handle: 23" fixed, wood grip
- Mesh: Rubber knotless
- Overall length: 29" with handle
- Weight: 5.2 oz
- Frame material: Aluminum
If you're only buying one net for panfishing, this is it. The SF rubber mesh net punches well above its price point with a knotless rubber bag that is genuinely fish-friendly — bluegill fins don't tangle, slime coat stays intact, and the hooks in your jig pop free without wrestling. We've watched nylon mesh nets tear the dorsal spines on a 10-inch bluegill in a way that's both depressing and completely unnecessary. The rubber here is softer than most and the bag is deep enough (about 9 inches) to hold a fat pre-spawn slab without the fish flopping out over the rim.
The wooden handle has a decent cork-wrapped grip section that doesn't turn to soap when wet — a complaint we have with a lot of plastic-handled budget nets. At 5.2 ounces, it's light enough to clip to a kayak rigging point or shove in a vest pocket without noticing it.
The one limitation: fixed handle means it's not going to compress for a backpack. But for dock fishing, wade fishing, or carrying in a tackle bag, the 29" overall length is a non-issue.
Pros:
- Rubber mesh protects fish and hook points better than nylon
- Light enough to use one-handed
- Wood grip feels premium for the price
- Deep bag handles larger-than-average panfish
- Knotless design — no snag points for trebles
Cons:
- Fixed handle won't compress for tight storage
- Rubber mesh adds marginal drag in current vs. nylon
- Wood handle can swell slightly if left submerged
Who it's for: Any angler who wants a go-to panfish net that handles bluegill through larger crappie without stressing fish. Excellent for catch-and-release regulars.
2. Frabill Power Catch Wading Net — Best for Crappie
Price: ~$22 | Where to buy: Amazon (fishingtribun-20) →
Specs:
- Hoop: 15" x 13" oval
- Handle: 18" fixed, molded grip
- Mesh: Nylon knotted, 1/4" mesh
- Bag depth: 11"
- Overall length: 24" with handle
- Weight: 6.4 oz
- Frame material: Fiberglass hoop, aluminum handle
Frabill's been making fishing nets since 1938 and it shows. The Power Catch Wading Net has a wider hoop than most under-$25 options — that 15" x 13" opening makes a real difference when you're scooping a 13-inch crappie that's flapping broadside. The 11-inch bag depth means fish go in and stay in, and the 1/4-inch mesh is tight enough that smaller panfish don't push through the weave.
The trade-off versus the SF rubber net: this is nylon, not rubber. It's fine for keep-fishing or catch-and-photo-release where you're not holding fish for extended re-oxygenation. The fiberglass hoop is noticeably stiffer than aluminum alternatives, which is actually a virtue here — it doesn't flex and bounce fish back out on the scoop. We've had cheaper aluminum hoop nets lose a fish when the frame deformed on contact with a dock piling. The Frabill holds its shape.
At 18 inches of handle, it's shorter than most on this list — designed more for wading or dock use where you're already close to the water. Not ideal if you're fishing from a tall bank or high-sided boat.
Pros:
- Largest hoop on this list — great for bigger crappie and perch
- Fiberglass hoop maintains shape under stress
- Deep bag keeps fish secured
- Frabill brand quality control is consistent
- Budget-friendly while maintaining brand reliability
Cons:
- Nylon mesh, not rubber — hooks tangle more easily
- Shorter handle than competitors at 18"
- Heavier than some alternatives at 6.4 oz
- Not ideal for high-bank fishing
Who it's for: Crappie specialists fishing docks, brush piles, and standing timber where a wider hoop makes the difference on a big slab. Also the best choice if you're keeping fish for the table and net-friendliness is less of a priority.
3. Plusinno Telescoping Landing Net — Best for Kayak & Bank Anglers
Price: ~$16 | Where to buy: Amazon (fishingtribun-20) →
Specs:
- Hoop: 12" x 10" oval
- Handle: 12–31" telescoping, EVA grip
- Mesh: Nylon knotless
- Bag depth: 8"
- Collapsed length: 17"
- Weight: 4.1 oz
- Frame material: Aluminum
The Plusinno telescoping net solves the specific problem of fitting a landing net into a kayak hatch or backpack without sacrificing enough reach to actually land a fish from the water's surface. At 17 inches collapsed, it disappears into a kayak day bag. Extended to 31 inches, you have genuine reach for a bluegill sitting below the gunwale.
The EVA foam grip is the best handle material on any net at this price point — doesn't absorb water, stays grippy with wet hands, holds up to UV exposure better than rubber over multiple seasons. We've used this net on a 9-foot kayak fishing small farm ponds and it's genuinely the most convenient carry-and-deploy setup in the $25 bracket.
The limitation is hoop size. At 12" x 10", this is the smallest on the list and a fat 14-inch crappie is going to require some maneuvering. The bag depth at 8 inches is adequate for panfish under 12 inches. It's not a crappie specialist — it's a versatility specialist.
The telescoping mechanism on Plusinno's current run (2023 forward) is significantly improved over earlier versions that collapsed under load. We tested scooping a 10-inch bluegill at full extension with no collapse. Still, we'd say extend it to full length before you're over a fish rather than trying to extend while fighting the net and the fish simultaneously.
Pros:
- Best storage and carry profile on this list
- EVA handle is excellent for wet conditions
- Light at 4.1 oz — barely notice it in a pack
- Telescopes to genuine 31" reach
- Good knotless nylon mesh
Cons:
- Smallest hoop — not for large crappie
- Extend the handle before you need it or risk fumbling
- Nylon mesh, not rubber
- Not suitable as a primary net for dedicated panfish tournaments
Who it's for: Kayak anglers, hikers hitting backcountry ponds, or anyone who needs a net that travels without taking up real estate. Also an excellent backup net to stash in a tackle bag.
4. Wakeman Folding Landing Net — Best Budget Pick
Price: ~$12 | Where to buy: Amazon (fishingtribun-20) →
Specs:
- Hoop: 10" x 9" oval
- Handle: 20" folding, plastic grip
- Mesh: Nylon, 3/8" mesh
- Bag depth: 7"
- Folded length: 12"
- Weight: 3.8 oz
- Frame material: Aluminum
Twelve dollars. That's a significant price for doing one job: scooping a bluegill off the surface of a pond. The Wakeman folding net doesn't try to be anything more than that, and for what it is — a dock-fishing net for kids, a backup in the bottom of a boat bag, or a grab-and-go for the local retention pond — it works reliably.
The folding hoop mechanism is straightforward: fold flat for storage, snap into the locked position before use. We've had the hoop pop back to folded mid-fish on previous versions, but Wakeman updated the locking mechanism around 2022 and the current run holds firm. Still, double-check the lock click before you're over your target fish.
The 3/8-inch mesh is on the larger side, which is fine for adult panfish but could be an issue for small perch or juvenile crappie pushing through the gaps. The plastic grip is utilitarian — it works, won't win any awards, and will crack before rubber or EVA. For the price, entirely acceptable.
The hoop at 10" x 9" is sized for dock bluegill and small perch. A 14-inch crappie is going to challenge it. Keep expectations calibrated.
Pros:
- Lowest price on the list — accessible for any budget
- Folding profile is genuinely compact
- Light at 3.8 oz
- Updated locking mechanism is reliable
- Adequate for standard panfish under 12 inches
Cons:
- Smallest hoop — limiting for larger crappie
- Plastic grip degrades faster than EVA or wood
- 3/8" mesh larger than ideal for small fish
- No rubber mesh option at this price
- Bag depth (7") is the shallowest on the list
Who it's for: Kids learning to fish from the dock, backup net, or any situation where you need a functional net at minimum cost. Not a primary net for serious panfishers.
5. EGO S1 Compact (Gen 1) — Best Catch-and-Release Option
Price: ~$24 | Where to buy: Amazon (fishingtribun-20) →
Specs:
- Hoop: 14" x 11" oval
- Handle: 24" fixed, EVA grip
- Mesh: Rubber knotless
- Bag depth: 10"
- Overall length: 30"
- Weight: 7.1 oz
- Frame material: Aluminum alloy
The EGO S1 Compact sits at the top of the budget range but delivers a noticeably higher build quality than anything else on this list. The EVA handle is thick, ergonomic, and comfortable for extended fishing sessions. The rubber knotless mesh is the deepest on the list at 10 inches with a wider hoop than the SF net — you're reliably landing everything from a 7-inch perch to a 15-inch crappie slab.
EGO's hoop reinforcement is meaningfully better than budget competitors. The aluminum alloy frame at the connection point between handle and hoop doesn't wobble — there's zero play in the joint, which matters more than anglers expect until a fish flops sideways in the net and the hoop flexes away from the scoop. The EGO holds geometry under load.
The 24-inch handle with a 30" overall length gives you genuine bank-fishing reach. At 7.1 oz it's the heaviest on this list, but the weight is distributed well — it doesn't feel tip-heavy.
Why isn't this our top overall pick? At $24, it's the right call for anglers focused on catch-and-release and who want the durability to use this net for years. But for casual panfishing, the SF rubber net at $18 covers 90% of the use cases for six dollars less.
Pros:
- Best build quality and joint rigidity on the list
- Rubber mesh is fish-friendly and deep
- EVA grip is excellent for extended use
- Handles crappie up to 15 inches reliably
- Longest track record of any brand here
Cons:
- Heaviest net on the list at 7.1 oz
- Fixed handle — no compression for storage
- Pushes the top of the under-$25 budget
- May be overkill for casual dock fishing
Who it's for: Catch-and-release panfishers who want to invest once in a net that lasts multiple seasons without wobbly joints or degraded rubber. Also excellent for young anglers who've graduated from dock fishing to wading.
What to Look for in a Panfish Net
Hoop size: For general panfish (bluegill, perch, small crappie), a 12" x 10" to 13" x 11" hoop is plenty. For dedicated crappie fishing where slabs over 14 inches are realistic, size up to 15" x 13" or larger. A hoop that's too small forces you to maneuver a tired fish into a smaller opening — more chance to knock it off the hook at the net.
Mesh type: Rubber knotless mesh is the correct answer for catch-and-release fishing. It doesn't remove slime coat the way nylon does, hooks pop free easier, and fish fins don't tangle. Nylon is acceptable for keep-fishing or situations where price is the overriding factor. Avoid knotted nylon for any fish you're releasing.
Handle length: Most panfish situations call for 20–30 inches of total handle length. Kayak anglers going to the water's surface from a low seat can get by with 18–20 inches. Bank anglers on high riverbanks should look for telescoping options that extend beyond 30 inches.
Bag depth: A shallower bag (7–8 inches) works for small panfish. If you're targeting quality crappie that push past 13 inches