Best Pike Nets Under $50: Top Landing Nets for 2025

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Bottom line up front: The Plusinno Floating Fishing Net is the best all-around pike net under $50 for most anglers — it's got a large rubberized mesh that protects pike slime coats, a telescoping handle that reaches 47 inches, and a hoop wide enough to swallow a 36-inch fish without a wrestling match. If you want a step up in hoop size and don't mind a fixed handle, the Frabill Power Catch is the one to grab.

Here's the thing about pike: they don't cooperate. A 15-pound northern comes to the boat hot, all teeth and tail, and if you're fumbling with a net that's too small, too heavy, or built from nylon mesh that strips the slime coat right off a fish you're planning to release — you've got problems. I've watched guys lose fish at the net more times than I care to count, usually because they were using a trout net on a fish the size of a small child.

You don't need to spend $150 on a tournament-grade cradle net to land pike properly. The $50 bracket has gotten genuinely competitive in recent years, and there are five nets in that range that I'd actually trust when a big fish is running beside the hull. Here's what you need to know.

Quick Comparison Table

What Makes a Good Pike Net?

Before we get into the individual picks, let's talk about what actually matters when you're trying to land a pike. Unlike walleye or bass, pike are long, toothy, and genuinely dangerous to poorly designed nets. Here's what separates a good pike net from a bad one:

Hoop Size: Pike are not trout. A hoop that's 17 inches wide might work for a 24-inch pike, but you're going to have trouble with anything over 30 inches. For serious pike country — the Great Lakes tributaries, Minnesota lake systems, Canadian shield lakes — you want a minimum 20-inch hoop width, and 22–25 inches is better.

Mesh Material: This is the most important spec that most buyers ignore. Knotless nylon is fine for bass and walleye, but when you're practicing catch and release with pike (which you should be — those big fish are old), the nylon can strip the protective slime coat that keeps the fish alive after release. Rubber-coated or rubber mesh is the gold standard. It's gentler on the fish, and as a bonus, treble hooks from lures don't snag in it nearly as badly.

Handle Length: Pike are frequently caught from boats, and you need enough reach to get the net under the fish without leaning dangerously over the gunwale. A minimum of 36 inches is workable; 47–49 inches is better for deep-hulled boats.

Frame Material: Aluminum is the sweet spot at this price range. Fiberglass is heavier and less durable. Carbon fiber is out of budget. Look for aluminum alloy frames — they're light, won't rust, and hold up to repeated dunking.

Buoyancy: If you fish from a kayak or small boat, a floating net is worth its weight. Dropping a non-floating net in 12 feet of water over a weed flat is a bad day.

The 5 Best Pike Nets Under $50

1. Plusinno Floating Fishing Net — Best Overall

Price: ~$30–$36 | Check Price on Amazon → →

Specs:

• Hoop dimensions: 20" x 23"
• Handle: Telescoping, extends to 47 inches, collapses to 19 inches
• Mesh: Rubber-coated, knotless
• Frame: Aluminum alloy
• Weight: 1.2 lbs
• Floats: Yes

This is the net I'd hand to someone who asked "just get me something that works for pike." The Plusinno checks every practical box: the hoop is large enough to handle fish up to 36 inches without gymnastics, the rubber mesh won't tear up a fish you're planning to release, and the telescoping handle means you can run it short in a kayak or extend it full length off a taller boat hull.

The floating feature isn't a gimmick — it's saved this net from the bottom of a lake twice. The foam-wrapped handle keeps it on the surface if you drop it during a fight. The rubber mesh does hang up on treble-rigged lures like Daredevils and large swimbaits, but significantly less than nylon. Rinse it after use and the rubber stays supple.

One honest note: the telescoping lock is adequate, not bomber. It holds fine during normal use, but if you're muscling a heavy fish and fully cranked out, give it a slight tightening check before you scoop. The net bag depth is about 18 inches, which handles most pike without the tail hanging out.

Pros:

• Large rubber mesh hoop — genuinely pike-sized
• Telescoping handle is practical for multiple fishing scenarios
• Floats if dropped — essential for kayak anglers
• Fish-friendly rubber mesh, minimal slime coat damage
• Well under $40

Cons:

• Telescoping lock requires a check before heavy use
• Rubber mesh is slightly heavier than nylon equivalents
• Bag depth (18") could be deeper for 40"+ fish

Who It's For: Boat anglers, kayak pike fishermen, and anyone who wants one net that handles pike, walleye, and bass without compromise.

2. Frabill Power Catch Net — Best for Large Pike

Price: ~$40–$48 | Check Price on Amazon → →

Specs:

• Hoop dimensions: 21" x 25"
• Handle: Fixed, 36 inches
• Mesh: Rubber micro-mesh, knotless
• Frame: Aluminum alloy
• Weight: 1.6 lbs
• Floats: No

Frabill has been making nets for serious anglers for decades, and the Power Catch shows it. The 21" x 25" hoop is one of the largest you'll find under $50, and the rubber micro-mesh is noticeably finer than most rubber nets at this price — hooks tangle less, fish come out cleanly, and the mesh doesn't bunch up around pike teeth the way coarser rubber can.

The fixed handle is a limitation if you fish from a high-sided boat, but for shore fishing and dock fishing — where you're often at water level — 36 inches is plenty. The rigidity of a fixed handle also means no play in the net head when you're scooping a 20-pound fish, which matters more than it sounds when that fish is thrashing.

The one thing I'd flag: the Frabill Power Catch doesn't float. If you're on a kayak or leaning far over a gunwale, tie a leash to the handle. Losing a $45 net to 20 feet of water hurts.

Pros:

• Largest hoop in the under-$50 category at 21" x 25"
• Fine rubber micro-mesh minimizes hook tangle
• Frabill quality control is notably better than no-name imports
• Fixed handle provides solid, wobble-free scooping
• Handles genuine trophy pike comfortably

Cons:

• Does not float — use a wrist leash
• Fixed handle limits reach from high-sided boats
• Heavier than telescoping alternatives at 1.6 lbs

Who It's For: Shore anglers, dock fishermen, and anyone consistently targeting larger pike who needs maximum hoop real estate.

3. EGO S2 Slider Landing Net — Best for Kayak Pike Anglers

Price: ~$35–$42 | Check Price on Amazon → →

Specs:

• Hoop dimensions: 18" x 21"
• Handle: Sliding extension, 24"–36"
• Mesh: Knotless nylon, fine gauge
• Frame: Aluminum
• Weight: 1.1 lbs
• Floats: No (handle material is buoyant but net bag sinks)

EGO is a smaller brand that punches above its weight in net design. The S2 Slider uses a push-button sliding handle extension rather than a traditional twist-lock telescoping system, which means you can extend or collapse the handle one-handed — genuinely useful when you've got a pike on the line with your other hand. The range of 24 to 36 inches works perfectly for kayak anglers who need compact storage but enough reach to keep the fish away from the boat when landing.

The hoop is the smallest on this list at 18" x 21", which means you're working comfortably up to about 32-inch pike before it gets tight. For most average-sized pike — the 24 to 30-inch fish you'll encounter 80% of the time — it's more than adequate. The knotless nylon mesh is the only real compromise here; it's not as fish-friendly as rubber for catch and release, but it's lighter and performs well if you're targeting pike for the table.

The one-handed extend feature alone earns this net a spot on the list. When you're alone in a kayak and a pike has just eaten your jerkbait, having two hands free isn't optional.

Pros:

• One-handed sliding handle extension — unique and genuinely useful
• Compact collapsed length (24") ideal for kayak storage
• Lightweight at 1.1 lbs
• EGO build quality is above average for the price
• Fine knotless nylon mesh performs well in cold water (rubber stiffens in freezing temps)

Cons:

• Smallest hoop on the list — not ideal for 35"+ trophy fish
• Knotless nylon is less fish-friendly than rubber for C&R
• Doesn't float
• Limited availability compared to major brands

Who It's For: Kayak pike anglers, solo float-tube fishermen, and anyone who needs to operate a net with one hand.

4. Magreel Telescoping Fishing Net — Best Budget Pick

Price: ~$25–$32 | Check Price on Amazon → →

Specs:

• Hoop dimensions: 18" x 22"
• Handle: Telescoping, extends to 49 inches, collapses to 16 inches
• Mesh: Rubber-coated, knotless
• Frame: Aluminum alloy
• Weight: 0.9 lbs
• Floats: Yes

The Magreel is the value play on this list — it's under $32, it floats, and the rubber mesh is legitimately fish-friendly. For anglers who pike fish occasionally, or who want a backup net for the tackle room, it's hard to argue with.

The 49-inch maximum reach is actually the longest on this list, which matters if you're fishing from a taller boat or bridge. The telescoping mechanism is basic but functional, and the floating design is the same foam-wrapped handle approach as the Plusinno.

Where the Magreel falls short is durability. The frame-to-handle connection is the weak point — after heavy use over a full season, there's noticeable wobble at that joint. It won't fail on you mid-fish in year one, but don't expect it to be a 10-year net. It's a budget net, priced like a budget net, and performs accordingly.

The 0.9-pound weight is the lightest on the list, which is worth noting for anglers who carry their net for long walks to remote pike water.

Pros:

• Longest reach at 49 inches extended
• Cheapest rubber-mesh floating net available
• Extremely lightweight at 0.9 lbs
• Collapses to 16 inches — fits in a daypack
• Rubber mesh at this price point is genuinely impressive

Cons:

• Frame-to-handle joint weakens with heavy use
• Hoop is on the smaller side at 18" x 22"
• Build quality reflects the price — not a long-term net
• Telescoping lock is the loosest on the list

Who It's For: Occasional pike anglers, anglers on a strict budget, and anyone who needs a backup net or a lightweight net for walk-in fishing.

5. South Bend Folding Landing Net — Best for Wade Fishing

Price: ~$18–$24 | Check Price on Amazon → →

Specs:

• Hoop dimensions: 17" x 20"
• Handle: Folding, 28 inches fixed when open
• Mesh: Knotless nylon
• Frame: Aluminum
• Weight: 0.8 lbs
• Floats: No

The South Bend Folding Net earns its spot here on portability and price alone. At under $24, it's the cheapest net on the list, and the folding hoop design means it clips to a wading belt or slips into a bag without the bulk of a full-size net. For river pike fishing — where you're wading structure and moving all day — that matters.

The hoop is the smallest here at 17" x 20", which is honestly borderline for pike. You're fine up to 28 or 30 inches, but a big river pike is going to challenge you. The knotless nylon mesh is serviceable but not ideal for catch and release. The 28-inch fixed handle is short for boat use but appropriate for wade fishing where the fish is typically within arm's reach when you net it.

Don't buy this as your primary pike net if you're boat fishing or targeting big fish. Buy it if you're a wade angler targeting 20–28-inch river pike and you need something that folds flat and costs less than a lunch.

Pros:

• Cheapest net on the list at under $24
• Folds flat for belt clip or pack storage
• Lightest net on the list at 0.8 lbs
• South Bend is a reliable, established brand
• Adequate for average-sized river