Best Salmon Nets Under $25: Land Every Fish Without Breaking the Bank

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Bottom line up front: The SF Fishing Landing Net is our top pick for salmon under $25 — rubber-coated mesh, a solid aluminum frame, and a handle long enough to actually reach the fish. If you want a telescoping option to stuff in a backpack, grab the plusinno Telescoping Net instead.

You don't need to spend $80 on a net. I've been chasing salmon on Pacific coastal rivers for going on twelve years, and I've snapped rods worth four times what a net costs. The net is not where you cut corners on quality — but "quality" and "expensive" are not the same thing. There are legitimately good salmon landing nets in the $15–$25 range, and there are cheap garbage products that will lose you a fish of a lifetime at the worst moment. This guide tells you which is which.

We tested, researched, and cross-referenced angler feedback across five nets that actually hold up to king salmon, coho, and steelhead in the $25-and-under bracket. Here's what we found.

Quick Comparison Table

Prices fluctuate on Amazon. All were verified under $25 at time of writing.

Why Net Choice Actually Matters for Salmon

Salmon are not trout. A 15-pound king salmon that rolls and thrashes at the net can fold a cheap aluminum frame, tear through flimsy nylon mesh, or — most likely — throw the hook during that final lunge while you're fumbling with a net that's too small or too short. The net is the last piece of gear between you and a successful landing.

Here's what you actually need for salmon netting:

Hoop size: Minimum 13" wide for coho and smaller pink salmon. For chinook (king) salmon over 15 lbs, you want 17"+ if you can get it at this price point.

Handle length: Bank anglers need 24"+ minimum. Waders who can get into the water with the fish can get away with shorter handles.

Mesh material: Rubber-coated mesh is gentler on fish slime coat for catch-and-release, and it doesn't tangle hooks the way nylon does. If you're keeping fish, nylon is fine and dries faster.

Frame rigidity: Cheap nets fail at the hoop-to-handle joint. Look for full aluminum frames with welded or bolted connections, not plastic clips.

Our 5 Best Salmon Nets Under $25

1. SF Fishing Landing Net — Best Overall Under $25

Price: ~$22 | Check price on Amazon → →

Specs:

• Hoop size: 15" x 13"
• Handle length: 24" aluminum
• Mesh: Rubber-coated, 1.5" mesh openings
• Frame: Anodized aluminum
• Weight: 12.8 oz

SF Fishing makes a surprising number of decent budget tools, and this net is their standout piece. The rubber-coated mesh is the real selling point — it won't tangle a treble hook the way bare nylon does, which means you're not standing in the current for three minutes trying to free your lure from the net while your fish thrashes toward freedom. The hoop is welded aluminum, not pinched together with a plastic bushing that'll crack in November cold.

The 24" handle is adequate for bank fishing on most coastal rivers, though if you're fishing from a steep bank you'll want a longer pole (see the Plusinno below). The rubber grip doesn't get slippery when wet — a detail that sounds minor until you're trying to net a 12-pound coho with cold hands.

What I've noticed in use: The mesh sags slightly under a heavy fish, but it hasn't failed. The rubber coating adds maybe 2 oz of weight compared to bare nylon nets at the same price, which is worth it.

Pros:

• Rubber-coated mesh — no hook tangles, gentle on fish
• Welded aluminum hoop doesn't flex under load
• Non-slip rubber grip handle
• Good hoop-to-handle joint strength
• Lightweight at under 13 oz

Cons:

• 15" hoop is tight for big kings (20+ lbs)
• Handle could be 4–6" longer for tall bank anglers
• Not telescoping — less packable than competitors

Who it's for: River salmon anglers doing wade fishing or accessible bank fishing who want a no-nonsense net that won't tangle hooks and won't blow apart after a season of use. Best for coho, pink salmon, and smaller kings.

2. Plusinno Telescoping Landing Net — Best for Wade Fishing & Backpacking

Price: ~$20 | Check price on Amazon → →

Specs:

• Hoop size: 14" x 12"
• Handle length: 23" collapsed / 41" extended
• Mesh: Nylon, 1.25" mesh
• Frame: Aluminum alloy
• Weight: 9.1 oz

If you hike into backcountry runs or wade rivers where you need both hands free before you're on fish, the Plusinno telescoping net is your answer. Collapsed to 23", it clips to a pack or clips to a wading belt. Extended to 41", it gives you genuine reach from a bank position — this is more than most $60 nets offer.

The hoop is on the smaller side at 14" x 12", which is a meaningful limitation for big salmon. For pink salmon, sockeye, and smaller coho (under 8 lbs), it's perfectly adequate. For kings, it's a squeeze and I'd honestly rather use a bigger hoop. But at $20 with 41" of telescoping reach, nothing else at this price comes close.

The nylon mesh dries quickly, which matters if you're hiking out and don't want a wet net soaking your pack. It does tangle treble hooks more than rubber mesh, so carry a pair of forceps.

What I've noticed in use: The telescoping joint is the structural weak point on all telescoping nets — I've seen cheap ones fail at this joint under a heavy fish. The Plusinno's joint is better than average at this price but I wouldn't stress-test it on a 20-pound king.

Pros:

• Telescopes from 23" to 41" — enormous reach advantage
• Lightest option on our list at 9.1 oz
• Collapses for easy pack transport
• Decent aluminum hoop construction
• Excellent value at ~$20

Cons:

• Nylon mesh tangles hooks more than rubber
• Smaller hoop (14" x 12") limits big-fish use
• Telescoping joint is the weakest point on any net at this price
• Not ideal for 20+ lb king salmon

Who it's for: Hikers, backcountry waders, kayak anglers, and anyone fishing multiple spots in a day who needs a net they can carry without thinking about. Best for pink salmon, sockeye, smaller coho, and steelhead under 10 lbs.

3. Wakeman Folding Landing Net — Best for Casual Bank Anglers

Price: ~$18 | Check price on Amazon → →

Specs:

• Hoop size: 15" x 11" (folded: 15" x 6")
• Handle length: 26"
• Mesh: Nylon
• Frame: Aluminum with folding hinge
• Weight: 10.4 oz

The Wakeman folds flat at the hoop — not telescoping at the handle like the Plusinno, but the hoop itself hinges to collapse. This makes it awkward to clip to a body but easy to lay flat in a gear bag or lean against a bucket. For bank anglers who drive to their spot and set up for a session, it's a practical option at the cheapest price on our list.

The 26" handle is the longest standard (non-telescoping) handle in our comparison, which is genuinely useful on steep riverbanks. The 15" x 11" hoop is slightly narrower than it looks on paper — it's long and narrow, which can be tricky for deeper-bodied fish. Coho and pink salmon slide in reasonably well; kings are a gamble.

Nylon mesh here is a step down from rubber in hook-tangle performance. If you're fishing single barbless hooks (common in catch-and-release regulations), it's not an issue. With trebles, carry forceps.

What I've noticed in use: The folding hinge is the structural concern. After heavy use, the hinge pin on budget folding nets can loosen and allow the hoop to flex under load. Check it before every trip.

Pros:

• Lowest price on our list at ~$18
• Longest standard handle at 26"
• Folds flat for gear bag storage
• Adequate for smaller salmon species

Cons:

• Folding hinge is a long-term durability concern
• Narrow hoop (11") limits use for deeper-bodied fish
• Nylon mesh tangles hooks
• Less sturdy than non-folding aluminum frames

Who it's for: Occasional bank anglers who fish a few times per season and want a functional, cheap net they can toss in a gear bag. Good for pink salmon, chum salmon, and moderate coho.

4. Frabill Conservation Net — Best for Catch-and-Release / Larger Fish

Price: ~$24 | Check price on Amazon → →

Specs:

• Hoop size: 19" x 17"
• Handle length: 24"
• Mesh: Rubber knotless
• Frame: Aluminum
• Weight: 14.2 oz

Frabill is a legitimate fishing brand — they make nets at every price point and their budget line is better constructed than most no-name imports. The Conservation Net at ~$24 gives you a genuinely large 19" x 17" rubber knotless hoop at the very top of our budget bracket. That hoop size will take a 20-pound king salmon. Rubber knotless mesh protects fish slime coat and won't rip fins on a thrashing fish.

This is the only net on our list I'd confidently call adequate for big king salmon. The hoop is wide enough that even an awkward, sideways netting attempt usually results in a landed fish. Rubber mesh won't pop off scales on a fish you're keeping, either.

The 24" handle is standard but the net is heavier than the others at 14.2 oz — you'll notice it after a long day. The frame construction is solid: Frabill's quality control is noticeably better than generic Amazon imports at this price tier.

What I've noticed in use: This net feels like a $45 net. At $24, it's the best value-per-quality ratio on this list if you're targeting bigger salmon. The rubber mesh is noticeably thicker and more durable than the SF Fishing's coating.

Pros:

• Largest hoop on our list (19" x 17") — handles big kings
• Frabill brand quality control — better than no-name imports
• Rubber knotless mesh — best for catch-and-release
• Won't tangle hooks or damage fish
• Best-in-class construction at this price

Cons:

• Heaviest net on our list at 14.2 oz
• Not telescoping or folding
• At $24, it's the priciest option (still under $25)
• Handle could be longer for tall bank anglers

Who it's for: Catch-and-release salmon anglers, guides on a budget, and anyone targeting larger chinook who needs a real hoop size at this price. Also excellent for steelhead.

5. Ego S2 Slider Micro — Best Compact/Travel Option

Price: ~$25 | Check price on Amazon → →

Specs:

• Hoop size: 13" x 11"
• Handle length: 24"–36" (sliding extension)
• Mesh: Rubber knotless
• Frame: Aluminum
• Weight: 11.6 oz

EGO makes premium nets — their full-size models run $80–$150. The S2 Slider Micro is their entry-level compact model, and at ~$25 it just squeaks into our budget bracket (price fluctuates, so verify before buying). The sliding handle extension is a nice touch: locked short at 24" for storage, extended to 36" when you need reach.

The hoop at 13" x 11" is the smallest on our list, which is a real limitation for salmon. Where this net shines is as a drift boat net, a kayak net, or an ultralight-travel net where you need compact dimensions above all else. For pink salmon and smaller coho it's fine; for kings, you're gambling.

EGO's rubber knotless mesh and frame construction quality are visibly better than the generic nets at lower prices. This is the "buy it once" option if you're willing to accept the small hoop as a trade-off for build quality.

Pros:

• EGO brand quality at a budget price
• Sliding handle extension (24"–36")
• Rubber knotless mesh
• Compact dimensions for drift boats and kayaks
• Best frame construction quality on this list

Cons:

• Smallest hoop (13" x 11") — limiting for big salmon
• Tightest budget fit at ~$25 (price fluctuates)
• Sliding extension adds a potential failure point
• Overkill construction for occasional users

Who it's for: Kayak anglers, drift boat anglers, and serious catch-and-release fishers who want build quality in a compact package. Best for pink salmon, smaller coho, and steelhead under 10 lbs.

What to Look for in a Salmon Net Under $25

1. Hoop width over length: A wide hoop (17"+ for kings, 14"+ for coho) is more forgiving than a long narrow one. Fish thrash side to side, not nose-to-tail.

2. Frame construction: Look for full aluminum frames with welded or bolted joints. Plastic joints fail in cold weather and under load.

3. Mesh type for your use:

• Rubber/rubber-coated = better for catch-and-release, won't tangle hooks
• Nylon = lighter, dries faster, fine for fish you're keeping

4. Handle length for your situation:

• Wade fishing: 20–24" is fine, you're in the water
• Bank fishing under 3 feet high: 24"+ needed
• High steep banks: Look for 36"+ or telescoping options

5. Weight: Heavier nets fatigue you on long hike-in trips. Under 12 oz is ideal for mobile fishing.

Accessories Worth Adding

If you're buying a net under $25, consider pairing it with:

• Magnetic net release clip (~$8–$15): Clips net to wading belt, releases with a tug. Keeps your hands free while wading. View on Amazon → →

• Rubber forceps/hook remover (~$6–$12): Essential for freeing hooks from nylon mesh without damaging the fish. **[View on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=fishing+forceps+hook+remover