Does anyone know where you can purchase a good quality fishing net?

I don't fish, but I was thinking of having one for emergency use. I don't know what type of fish I'd encounter though. Is there a net that takes out everything (emergency use only)? In an emergency situation I wouldn't want to be picky.

The net is for a BOB so there are some weight restrictions. I.e. I'm not looking for a commercial sized fishing net. I've seen a few around but the net has holes of 1" square which would allow most of the fish I've seen to easily swim through.

In my minds eye I imagine a net 12'x10' that has holes the size of 3/8" square.

Any ideas?

-NIM

Try Best Glide

http://www.bestglide.com/deluxe_gill_net.html

Emergency Survival Gill Net


In an emergency, the Survival Gill Net is an essential piece of equipment that will help you overcome harsh survival situations. Simply set the gill net to catch food, while you work on other essentials such as shelter, warmth, food gathering or medical issues.

Option # 1 Buy Mors kochanski's set of booklets. One is devoted to making nets.

Option # 2 Buy several cans of sardines.

I assume since weight is a concern you don't want a cast net, but if so, Cabela's has more versions than you can shake a stick at-
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp?id=cat400013

Go for the monofilament, the nylon ones tend to tear easily.

Sportsman's Guide has cheap seine nets in a bunch of sizes, but again, weighted, so may be an issue-
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=60479

The one mentioned above is a goodie, here's a link-
http://stores.ebay.com/FLORIDA-NETS/HOW-TO-MAKE-A-FISH-GILL-SEINE-NET.html

They may custom make what you want.............

Do they make cast nets with non-lead weights?

Here is another one. Or you could get a copy of the USAF survival manual, plus some paracord, and follow their instructions in how to make your own. I would advise burying the net deep in your kit, in some jurisdictions a fishcop will cite you in a second just for possessing one...

i have not seen a Netcraft catalog in a few years but they would be a good source..lots of make-it-yourself fishing gear

NIM,
I have one I purchased a few years back at buckshotscamp.com. It is very light weight and has held up very well.
kmat

I have a small net in my BOB, with holes probably near the size you mention, but which is smaller than 12 x 10. It's probably about 4 or 5 feet by 6 or 7 feet. I bouoght it at Walmart but cannot find one on it's site. You cna get something like it here: http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/bait-dealer-nets/936150.aspx

I don't think one net would work for all kinds of fish. What kind of fish would be in the areas you would expect to travel?

I think a minnow net is probably a good choice. It would not be easy to handle a larger net, unless you are using a cast net. A cast net is going to have some weight and need some practice. A minnow seine or an umbrella net requires very little skill. If you do manage to get some minnows, then you will have bait for larger fish. You can also just eat the minnows.

Probable sounds good but in practice, as you will never practices setting it up or using it not very practical in the long run. I would prefer a few sticks of dynamite, LOL.

cheers