Want a more ergonomic net? Maybe you should get an EGO
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Date: |
11/25/05 |
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Tackle type: |
Tools |
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Manufacturer: |
Adventure
Products |
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Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 8.33
Introduction:
Ever lose a fish because
you were fumbling with your net? Or even worse, ever lose your net overboard
when fumbling to land a fish? EGO nets introduces a new lineup of nets that are
designed to be ergonomically superior as well as float should the net
accidentally fall overboard.
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EGO Large
Net Specifications |
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Handle material |
Aluminum |
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Handle length |
36" |
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Hoop size |
19" x 21" |
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Net material |
Rubber or Nylon Mesh |
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Weight |
2lbs 10oz (Rubber), 1lb 4oz(Nylon) |
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Additional features |
Innovative grip design, anodized handle, floats |
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MSRP |
$28.99 (Large) |
About EGO:
EGO nets is a brand under the Adventure Products family. Adventure products is
the parent company over a number of brands, all of which focus on various types
of nets. These brands include EGO Nets, Fling Cast Nets, EGO cast, Butterfly
Nets, and Critter Nets. The majority of the company’s product offerings target
anglers, and the company’s goal is to excel in various niche markets by
engineering superior solutions.
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Introducing
the EGO net, a new net that is designed to offer superior ergonomics |
Impressions:
I’ve always felt that nets
in general never have gotten the attention they deserve. Sure the rod and reel bring those
big fish in but it is that trusty net that secures that trophy fish. Certain
nets are definitely better than others. This becomes readily apparent to anglers
the very first time they lose a fish because of time wasted untangling or
fumbling with a net. I first became aware of
EGO nets at ICAST earlier this year. What caught my attention about their
particular lineup of nets was the intriguing ergonomic handle positioned right
below the hoop, and the fact that the net is designed to float if it is ever
accidentally dropped in the water. These nets come in a wide variety of sizes
from small sizes designed for trout and panfish to the XL model which is
designed to accommodate big stripers, redfish, and even Salmon. Most of these
nets are available with either nylon or rubber mesh. Both the nylon and
rubber are specially designed to be hook free.
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The
ergonomic handle is not only designed to be comfortable and easy to grip but
also to never damage or sever line during the landing process |
Real World
Tests: The only way to really test a net in a real life application is to
land fish. We tested the large size EGO nets in both rubber mesh and nylon
configurations. Due to the size of the net we decided it would be best to pursue
both largemouth and stripers in our tests.
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Netting fish
with one hand on the rod and the other on the EGO net. This is easier with
the nylon version which is much lighter than the rubber version |
Rubber Mesh versus
Nylon: Rubber or Nylon? What’s your preference? Most anglers still use nylon
nets because of the sheer number of nylon nets available, and the lower cost of
these nets versus rubber mesh versions. The newer nets like the EGO nylon net
are tangle free which means that hooks do not easily get caught up in the web
due to special braid techniques and durable coatings. The webs also have larger
holes now so that when the fish has been landed the hooks are easier to
dislodge. The real advantage of nylon over rubber is that the overall weight of
the net is quite a bit lighter. On the other hand while the rubber netting
versions are heavier they also reduce snags with lures to near nil, making it
easier and quicker to get the fish out of the net and into your livewell or back
into the water. Another advantage of the rubber netting is that they better
cradle fish, and because of the larger rounder diameter of the netting it causes
much less stress to the fish during the entire landing and handling process. This
is the main reason why the rubber netting is becoming so popular among trout
anglers that routinely practice catch and release.
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Overall I
now prefer rubber nets these days because of their no-tangle design |
Operation: Using
the EGO net is straightforward, but then that is exactly how it should be. Any
net that is complicated to operate or takes too much time to set up prior to
netting the fish can mean the potential loss of your catch. The EGO isn’t about
re-inventing the “net,” it’s simply about making them better. Just reach out and
scoop up your fish. There are some nice details in the nets design. These
include a ergonomic grip right below the hoop of the net to help you gain
control of bigger fish. On many competing nets this “Y” junction uses metal that
often have sharp edges that can potentially sever mono line during the fish landing
process. The EGO features all rounded edges and the ergonomic handle doubles as
a line guard.
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The rubber
mesh version of the EGO is excellent for cradling and protecting fish from
damage during the landing process |
The actual hoop on
the Large EGO net we tested is almost as wide as it is long at 19” x 21.” This
makes it easier to position the net in front of fish and simply guide them in
rather than attempting underwater maneuvers. This is very nice for stream
anglers that frequently land steelhead. We found it easy in our tests to land
stripers and bass with one hand on the rod, and the other on the handle of the
EGO.
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With the
rubber mesh version it is easy to hold and revive fish making sure they are
ready to return to the water before you release them. This is especially
good for trout and bass fishing |
Finally we got to testing the final and most impressive feature of the net….the
EGO’s ability to float. The EGO (large) weighs in at 2lbs 10oz yet it is able to
float almost completely flat on the surface of the water should it happen to be
dropped…or in our case, tossed into the lake. We were impressed how evenly the
entire net floated, making it very easy to simply reach down and recover the
net. While most anglers probably won’t drop their net over the side of the boat
it can happen. In a more common application anglers fishing on a river can lose
a net as they get caught up in the moment fishing. While you probably have to
chase the net downstream, at least it isn’t immediately written off as a loss
to the river bottom.
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This is one
net that won't sink should you drop it overboard, in fact it floats almost
completely flat on the surface |
Durability: We
tested the net primarily in freshwater applications but the EGO can also be used
for light saltwater fishing as well. The only area of real concern is the
handle, and to increase the strength of the aluminum is shaped in an octagon. To
shield the arm from the elements the entire length of the handle has been
anodized. The rubber mesh on our test net proved to quite durable, and we
successfully lifted 25lbs of downrigger weights (out of water) just to stress the
hoop. The netting will actually expand up to three times in size to accommodate
both sizeable and heavy fish.
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Reclaiming
your net is as easy |
Price & Applications:
The EGO net wins big points for a quality construction, intelligent features,
and ease of use. Where the EGO falls short is in the ability to transport the
net easily. The EGO is a “fixed” net, meaning the handle cannot be removed from
the hoop, nor can the net be collapsed in any way. This makes it somewhat
challenging to carry the larger size nets on boats that don’t have much room for
storage, or for anglers trekking the riverbank attempting to carry larger nets.
Luckily EGO makes a wide range of sizes, it just means that you absolutely need
to pick the right size for your particular application. When it comes to price
these nets are surprisingly affordable. They range in MSRP from $15.99 for the
Small size, $24.99 for the Medium, $28.99 for the large size we tested, and
$45.99 for the X-Large. All of the nets are color coded on the upper grip, for
example all large size nets like the one in our review have a blue grip.
Not every retailer or e-tailer will have the EGO
yet, as the product has just been released. We found the easiest place to get
these nets is at
e-angler.
Ratings:
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EGO Large
Net Ratings (?/10) |
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Construction/Quality |
Very good construction, nice handles, and
anodized arm is well implemented. Overall quality is quite good for a net in
this price range |
9 |
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Performance |
Simplicity can be a good thing, and the EGO
net performed very well in all our tests. This net can do things other nets
can't....including float. The ergonomic grips are easy and comfortable to
use, and the choice in mesh net material is plus |
9 |
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Price |
Not cheap for a net, but reasonable for a
premium product that has some unique attributes |
8.5 |
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Features |
Feature wise the net is right in the middle.
While we love the ergonomic handle a floating ability we wish the handle
could be removable or the net could collapse for easier transport |
8 |
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Design (Ergonomics) |
Overall ergonomics are superior to most nets
on the market minus the fixed size |
8.5 |
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Application |
The large size we tested was good for a wide
range of applications. Good for almost all freshwater applications that
don't require a lot of mobility, and also good for light salt applications.
Because the net cannot collapse you must pick the right size net for your
particular boat/application |
7 |
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Total Score |
8.33 |
Pluses and Minuses:
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Plus
Minus |
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J
Innovative Design |
L
Non removable or collapsible handle |
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J
Floats! |
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J
Quick and easy to use |
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J
Great ergonomics |
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J
Reasonable price |
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Conclusion:
A
“net” isn’t just a “net” anymore, EGO proves that with their intelligent design.
Never has it been easier or quicker to net you catch. Sometimes simplicity is a
good thing, as fumbling with an overly complicated net can result in missing
that big fish. The EGO’s strongest points are the net’s ability to float coupled
with how truly comfortable the grips are. I would recommend the EGO to anyone
looking for a quality net at a reasonable price. The only thing to remember is
to pick the right size for your particular application, as the net cannot be
broken down to into any smaller form. If you like the ergonomic and floating
features and abilities of the EGO design but want the lightest net possible then
the Nylon netting version is the right choice for you. If you want to take
better care of your catch and wish to further reduce hook tangle headaches and
are willing to bear the burden of a heavier net then the rubber version has your
name all over it. Whichever you choose the EGO is a quality solution, one that
is actually innovative, which is more than I can say for the vast majority of
nets out there.
