Choosing a Net for Salmon: Rubber vs Knotted

Rubber vs Knotted: What's the Real Difference

Rubber nets and knotted nets both scoop fish, but they treat them very differently once they're in the bag. Rubber mesh is smooth and stretchy, so it slides over scales and fins without catching. Knotted mesh is tougher and often cheaper, but every knot is a little abrasion point against a fish's slime coat.

Why Rubber Nets Protect Salmon Better

Rubber wins when the plan is to release the fish, which on many BC rivers is the whole point of the trip. A salmon that's been through a slimy, snag-free bag swims off with its protective coating intact, which matters a lot for disease resistance and overall survival after release. If you're chasing wild fish that need to go back, or you're simply not sure yet what you're keeping, rubber is the safer default — check current regulations before you decide what stays in the cooler.

Rubber also tangles less with hooks, beads, and leader material. Anyone who's pulled a net full of knotted mesh off a hook hung on a bead rig knows the frustration — rubber lets you shake the whole mess free in a couple of seconds instead of untangling by hand while a fish thrashes.

When Knotted Mesh Still Makes Sense

Knotted nets still have a place, mainly for anglers who are keeping fish for the table and want a net that holds up to repeated hard use. Knotted mesh tends to be more abrasion resistant against rocks and boat gunnels, and it's usually lighter on the wallet. If bruised slime coat isn't a concern because the fish is headed for the smoker anyway, knotted mesh will do the job for years.

The trade-off shows up with big chinook and chum, where thrashing against stiff knotted mesh can cause split fins or lost scales even on fish you plan to release later in the day if you change your mind. For mixed trips where you might keep one and release the next, rubber is still the more forgiving all-around choice.

Hoop Size and Depth for Salmon

A net that's too small is the single biggest mistake anglers make when they move up from trout to salmon. Look for a hoop wide and deep enough to fully bag a mature fish in one scoop — trying to net half a chinook twice usually ends with a lost fish at the side of the boat or the bank.

Depth matters as much as width. A shallow bag lets a big salmon flip itself back out before you can lift, especially on rivers where you're netting from an awkward angle off a drift boat or a steep bank. If you fish rivers with both salmon and steelhead through the season, size the net for the biggest fish you expect, not the average one.

Pairing Your Net with the Rest of Your Rig

The net is the last step, but it only matters if you've hooked the fish properly in the first place. Matching bead size to hook size keeps hookups solid enough that the fish is still pinned by the time it reaches the net — our bead size chart and the soft beads for salmon guide cover that pairing in detail, and the bead match tool makes it quick if you're rigging up the night before.

Once a fish is solidly hooked on a well-matched rig, a good net is what turns that fight into a fish in hand instead of a story about the one that got off at the last second. It's worth spending as much thought on the net as on the beads in your box.

Caring for Your Net Season to Season

Rubber and knotted nets both last longer with a rinse in fresh water after every trip, especially after saltwater or brackish estuary fishing. Salt left to dry in the mesh breaks down fibers and rubber alike faster than regular freshwater use ever will.

Dry the bag fully before you store it, out of direct sun if possible, since UV is hard on rubber especially. A few minutes of care after each outing is a lot cheaper than replacing a net mid-season — browse the rest of our journal for more gear care notes, or head to the shop if it's your beads, not your net, that need restocking before the next trip.

Common questions

Is rubber or knotted mesh better for releasing salmon?

Rubber mesh is gentler on a fish's slime coat and scales, which makes it the better choice whenever release is part of the plan.

Are knotted nets ever a good choice?

Yes — they're more abrasion resistant and often less expensive, so they suit anglers mainly keeping fish for the table rather than releasing them.

What hoop size do I need for salmon?

Size your net for the biggest fish you expect to encounter, with enough depth that a thrashing salmon can't flip itself back out before you lift.

How should I care for my net between trips?

Rinse it in fresh water after every outing, especially after saltwater use, and let it dry fully out of direct sun before storing it.

Ready to put this into practice? Browse our hand-poured soft beads in the shop — orders over $75 ship free across Canada and the US.