Best Carp Landing Nets
Without a landing net, you will lose carp and probably get chucked off the venue, as it’s a staple requirement for anglers to have one on the majority of fisheries, and even more importantly, a MUST for carp safety.
But why do prices vary so much in the industry?
Are you just paying tackle tax, or are there genuine benefits of having one with all the bells and whistles?
Well, in this article, we reveal the best carp landing nets we have tried and tested. Read on, as you may be surprised by the scores!
Quick Summary
If you’d simply like to see the top carp landing nets we’ve reviewed and tested in this guide, here they are ranked below.
| Rank | Landing Net | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fox Horizon X4S Landing Net | Best Overall Landing Net |
| 2 | Korda Spring Bow Net | Most Popular Premium Net |
| 3 | Daiwa Infinity Landing Net | Daiwa’s Classic in a Net |
| 4 | Wychwood Riot Tactical Landing Net | Best Budget Landing Net |
| 5 | Prologic Avenger Landing Net | Best Entry-Level Option |
| 6 | Solar A1 Bow LOC | Innovative Locking System |
| 7 | ESP Onyx Quickdraw Landing Net | Best Compact Landing Net |
| 8 | Korda Kaizen Green Net | Solid Mid-Range Choice |
| 9 | Gardner GTN Landing Net | Great Value 42-Inch Net |
The Best Carp Landing Nets
Okay, so now straight into the details on why these nets are on our top list of carp landing nets and some useful information on each product.
Quickly though, here’s how we’ve tested the nets, as in the criteria we have used:
Build Quality – Construction materials, strength of the spreader block, rigidity of the arms, quality of the handle, finish and coating, longevity and reliability in hard use.
Handle & Spreader – Handle length and balance, carbon fibre quality, handle grip comfort and security, spreader block design, security of the arms attachment, set up and pack down.
Mesh – Depth of mesh, softness of material, how fish friendly the mesh is (VERY IMPORTANT), snag resistance, water flow, durability and effectiveness at protecting the carp’s slime coat and scales.
Value for Money – Features for the money, build quality for the money, customer support and warranty, proven durability in actual fishing scenarios, and do the premium features add any benefit when you’re fishing.
The scores show at a glance how each net performs in each area, while the following recommendations are split into different styles of angling and different budgets.
#1. Fox Horizon X4S Landing Net
Best Overall Landing Net
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The Fox Horizon X4S isn’t our best-reviewed net for no reason. At £98.99, it offers excellent value for money, high-end build quality without the eye-watering prices some brands charge for gimmicky features you’ll never use.
The high modulus carbon construction of the handle and arms but with extra diameter makes a huge difference to the net rigidity. With most nets the handle and arms flex like crazy when you’re actually trying to scoop a decent fish – the X4S remains rigid and under control. The stainless steel spreader block and spigots are machined to tighter tolerances so it all fits together smoothly with no wrestling match required as with the budget options.
Fox also offers three handle variations to cater for different fishing styles. The 8ft two-piece is fantastic for extra reach when fishing zigs or awkward swims, whilst the Explorer option with retractable handle is great for compact storage.
All three versions benefit from that gorgeous 2K carbon wrap finish and Japanese shrink wrap grips, which give you excellent control even with wet hands.
The Fox camo mesh is also properly fish-friendly with reinforced corners where cheaper nets often fail first. It also slices through the water with minimal resistance, making that final scoop so much easier, and it also remains relatively snag-free and shakes clean easily.
Compared to the Korda Spring Bow at £229 which also scores the same 8.9, you’re saving over £130. The truth is, landing nets don’t need spring-loaded arms or other gimmicky features.
They just need solid build quality, a handle that won’t let you down, and mesh that’s kind to fish. The Horizon X4S delivers all three and with stainless steel components throughout, this one should still be going strong decades from now.
What Anglers Like
- ✓Outstanding build quality with high modulus carbon throughout
- ✓Increased diameter handle and arms eliminate unwanted flex
- ✓Stainless steel spreader block and spigots for easy assembly and longevity
- ✓Exceptional value at £98.99 compared to similar-scoring premium alternatives
- ✓Multiple handle and mesh size options to suit different fishing styles
What Could Be Better
- ✕Only available in 42″ or 46″ sizes – no 50″ option for those chasing true monsters
- ✕2K carbon wrap finish, while beautiful, attracts fingerprints and shows scratches more easily than matte finishes
#2. Korda Spring Bow Net
Most Popular Premium Net
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With a price tag of £229, we are looking at one of the most premium landing nets available. But is the Korda Spring Bow as good as you’d hope from one of these high price-tag pieces of kit?
Everything from the JAG spreader block to the reverse taper carbon handle has been carefully considered and re-considered, and these features have evolved over the course of 2.5 years of development.
A tapered 6ft handle from 23mm down to 18mm may sound on the chunky side, but this gives an excellent combination of stiffness without the handle being heavy, plus the thicker construction is also surprisingly light in the hand as there’s no need to add extra material to prevent flexing like thinner handles do. Thicker handle is also much more controllable as you try to net an errant fish.
The anodised aluminum spreader block is also stunning to look at thanks to its gun smoke ceramic finish, with machined cutouts throughout. But it also has practical benefits; oval-shaped arm entries for easy assembly, plus the 91-degree arm exit angle to create the perfect bow shape.
Oversized rounded arm ends to reduce mesh wear and heavy zero-stretch cord to hold the whole thing together.
Nice touches like having the whole net float without the need for a separate net float so it sits on the surface of the water as soon as you drop it in.
Hexmesh is of good quality, with medium depth that’s large enough to comfortably retain a fish when you’ve hammered the stainless steel spike into the lakebed. The mesh slides through water easily and reinforced corners to prevent the common tear points.
The only issue is, at £229, the Spring Bow costs a considerable amount more than other nets that we reviewed in this category. The Spring Bow is undoubtedly excellent and you can’t fault Korda on the engineering and build quality, but we’ve seen nets with an equal weighting score that are also really good, but for a lot less money.
What Anglers Like
- ✓Exceptional engineering with 2.5 years of development behind every component
- ✓Reverse taper handle delivers outstanding rigidity despite being incredibly lightweight
- ✓JAG-engineered spreader block makes arm assembly effortless whilst looking stunning
- ✓Floats without a net float – just sits on the surface if dropped
- ✓Medium depth hexmesh with reinforced corners and oversized rounded arm ends for longevity
What Could Be Better
- ✕£229 price point is more than double equally high-scoring alternatives like the Fox Horizon X4S
- ✕Thicker handle goes against modern aesthetic preferences even though it performs better
#3. Daiwa Infinity Landing Net
Daiwa’s Classic in a Net
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One thing I don’t like doing is overselling products that are perfectly good, just because they’re cheaper than the top end alternatives. The Daiwa Infinity Landing Net is an excellent example of getting the most out of a £99.99 price point.
The Daiwa Infinity range is one of Daiwa’s higher-end offerings, so you are getting quality for the price, rather than paying an inflated sum for a brand name. The net is constructed from ultra-light carbon which does feel lighter than most nets I’ve used in recent years.
The handle is slender, so won’t look out of place with contemporary rod designs and, if you’re already using Infinity equipment, should slot in nicely with the rest of your kit.
The machined aluminium spreader block is very user-friendly with close tolerances that let the arms slip in and out without you having to struggle. A neat design detail on the two-piece model is how the EVA grip extends past the joint, making it really simple to separate the sections when packing away at the end of a session.
Nice touches like that make you feel like there’s someone at Daiwa that actually goes fishing with this kit, as opposed to just CAD-ing it up in an office.
The 8mm olive green polyester mesh is a great compromise between being small enough not to damage fish, but with enough open area for it to drain as you’re mopping up. There’s 85cm of mesh depth so plenty of room for your fish to be nice and secure if you’ve buried the handle in the mud, or you need to keep your catch out of the water briefly.
Mesh quality on the Infinity is also better than you might expect at this price, with properly stitched areas at points of stress where the corners of nets are wont to let go in the first place.
Directly compared to the Fox Horizon X4S at the same price point, it’s clear that Daiwa have taken a different approach, favouring being lightweight and manoeuvrable over maximum stiffness. For existing Infinity rod owners, that decision will make the net an obvious choice as it will complement your aesthetics on the bank!
For non-Daiwa anglers, those machined components combined with the quality carbon build and fish-friendly meshing would be commanding a higher price elsewhere. Daiwa’s reputation for producing long-lasting kit is strong, so I’m confident that it’ll serve you well for years to come.
What Anglers Like
- ✓Ultra-lightweight carbon construction makes it noticeably easy to manoeuvre
- ✓Machined aluminium spreader block with tight tolerances for smooth arm assembly
- ✓Extended EVA grip on two-piece model helps with separating sections
- ✓Excellent value at £99.99 with premium features throughout
- ✓Understated graphics that looks great on the bank
What Could Be Better
- ✕Slim profile handle flexes more than thicker alternatives under heavy load
- ✕Only available in 42″ size – no larger option for specimen hunters
#4. Wychwood Riot Tactical Landing Net
Best Budget Landing Net
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This is a proper working net, and one that offers superb value for money. The ultra-stiff carbon handle has a ‘chunky’ feel and true rigidity with no lag when scooping a fish.
Something the cheaper alternatives simply cannot match.
Spread bar is moulded ABS plastic rather than machined metal, but it’s more than up to the job here at this price and works with both one-piece and two-piece handle options.
Tapered carbon arms keep the weight down and the Japanese shrink wrap grip provides excellent control even with wet hands. Wychwood have also included a built-in net float which saves you having to purchase a separate float that would set you back another £10-15.
It’s these little touches that make the Riot such great value.
The ultra-soft mesh has the Tactical camo pattern and is properly fish friendly. The 42″ frame size will cope with typical UK carp of most sizes comfortably, including 30lb+ specimens and even catfish.
Mesh depth is sufficiently generous for safe fish retention with the handle resting in the margins.
The corners are not reinforced like the premium models, but the stitching looks robust enough for this budget. The two piece design breaks down compactly and it also includes a carry case – another nice touch when you’d expect to be paying £70-80 elsewhere for all these features.
If you are already running Wychwood Riot Cork rods, then this is the obvious choice to complement with matching branding and quality, but even if you’re not a Wychwood user, the synergy of rigid carbon construction, fish friendly mesh and all the practical features mentioned makes this a proper tool rather than a budget compromise.
For under £45 it’s hard to see a better all round UK carp fishing landing net.
What Anglers Like
- ✓Outstanding value at £44.99 with features typically found on much more expensive nets
- ✓Ultra-stiff carbon handle provides excellent rigidity with no flex or lag when netting
- ✓Inbuilt net float means no messing about with separate velcro-attached floats
- ✓Fish-friendly soft mesh with Tactical camo pattern that coordinates with Riot rod range
- ✓Compact two-piece design with included carry case makes transport and storage easy
What Could Be Better
- ✕ABS plastic spreader block isn’t as refined as machined aluminium alternatives
- ✕Mesh corners lack reinforced sections found on premium models
#5. Prologic Avenger Landing Net
Best Entry Level Option
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At £34.99, the Prologic Avenger has to be the best value-for-money landing net in the range today. I’ll be completely honest with you here: I wasn’t expecting much from this model. Before testing it I fully expected to see all of the typical budget net compromises in action.
But Prologic have really surprised me here: the Avenger is actually pretty impressive for the price it’s at.
The carbon composite handle is the first thing you’ll notice. It’s light and rigid, with no flex or give in the handle when you’ve got it outstretched over the water – even with a fish in the net. The 6ft length is a 2-section design, which means you’ve got real length for bank fishing and it packs down to 106cm for carrying.
Wowzers – that’s seriously impressive for a net at under £35.
The 42″ spreader arms are made from a composite material which keeps them nice and light, but doesn’t compromise with strength either. They taper elegantly and the ABS spreader block is a simple design, but it’s good at keeping everything nice and locked into place. The mesh is fish-friendly and gentle on scales, although it isn’t quite as strong as some of the more upmarket options.
That’s really the only compromise with this net, other than the simple ABS handle connector.
As a net for beginners or budget anglers, the Avenger has got everything covered. You’re not missing out on any of the features or safety you need, and you can land your fish with full confidence. It’s also a great option for having as a spare net, or even to take out and lend to your mates when they come fishing with you.
The build quality is well above what you’d expect for the price and the handle behaves itself like a handle costing twice the price.
The Avenger graphics also go well with Prologic’s range of rods if you’re that way inclined. But what matters most is that the Avenger has really shown that you don’t need to spend loads of money to get something that’s reliable and good to use.
If you’ve been on the lookout for a new landing net this one is an absolute no-brainer at this price point.
What Anglers Like
- ✓Outstanding value at just £34.99
- ✓Carbon composite handle is rigid and lightweight
- ✓Versatile 6ft 2-section handle packs down to 106cm
- ✓Fish-friendly mesh that’s soft on delicate scales
- ✓Matches the Avenger rod range aesthetically
What Could Be Better
- ✕Mesh durability may not match premium nets
- ✕No quick-release system on the spreader block
#6. Solar A1 Bow LOC Landing Net
Innovative Locking System
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Recommended Tackle ShopAvailable at £129.99, the Solar A1 Bow LOC brings proper high-end specification down to a more affordable price. It’s Solar’s attempt to bring the magic of their Bow-Loc quick-release mechanism down to earth, without the £250 price tag of their top-end P1 model.
And they’ve bloody well done it.
Bow-Loc, the main selling point, is the clever bit of business at the heart of the A1. Press a button and the arms fold themselves in to a compact storage shape. Extend them out and internal steel rods lock the whole thing in place – you’d have to snap the carbon arms before that mechanism gave way. It makes setting up and striking camp so quick and easy, you’ll wonder how you ever fished without it.
The 3K carbon handle is dead stiff with no give at all, even when extended fully. Two sections of 3 feet means 6ft of reach and a total weight of just 1.15kg. Shrink-wrap grip on the handle gives a great purchase with wet hands and the laser-etched butt cap will protect the carbon from knocks at the bank-side.
It’s proper kit.
The only place where Solar have cut the costs is the spreader block – it’s glass-filled nylon, with stainless steel components rather than machined metal. But it’s a smart place to save weight without losing strength. The deep soft mesh is fish friendly, the 42 inch arms are made of stiff carbon and you even get a waterproof PVC stink bag included with welded seams.
The A1 Bow LOC is serious value for anglers who are serious about fishing on a regular basis. There’s no doubt that once you’ve tried the convenience of the Bow-Loc mechanism, it genuinely improves every fishing session, and the overall build quality is up to Solar’s usual standard and should see you through for years of reliable service.
What Anglers Like
- ✓Brilliant Bow-Loc mechanism makes setup incredibly quick
- ✓Exceptional 3K carbon handle with zero flex
- ✓Deep soft mesh provides excellent fish support
- ✓Lightweight at 1.15kg yet feels solid
- ✓Waterproof PVC stink bag included
What Could Be Better
- ✕Glass-filled nylon block lacks premium metal feel
- ✕Button mechanism slightly stiff when new
#7. ESP Onyx Quickdraw Landing Net
Best Compact Landing Net
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At £139 the ESP Onyx Quickdraw is a genuinely unique item compared to anything else on the market. The star of the show has to be the telescopic twist-lock handle. It telescopes from 44 inches to a full 6’3″ and can be locked off at any point in between.
That is innovation.
Snookered in a tight swim with overhanging branches? Lock it off at 4 feet. Open water with fish feeding out of your reach? Extend to the max. Fishing from a boat? Lock it off somewhere in the middle. You’ll never go without this level of flexibility once you’ve tried it. The twist-lock mechanism is simple to use – extend the handle to the desired length, twist it firmly to lock it and it’s completely rigid even with a big fish thrashing around in the net.
Collapsed at just 44 inches, it’s a great length to transport too. Same length as a 9-foot Quickdraw rod, so they can be strapped together. Super handy for anglers who walk to their swims or have limited space in their cars.
ESP’s stainless steel spreader block is made in their UK factory in Oxford and is top notch. The high modulus carbon handle is also super stiff, with no flex in it at all.
The only real compromise on the Onyx Quickdraw is the mesh. It’s a decent quality, deep olive colour, soft for the fish, good depth, but it’s a few rungs down the quality ladder from the super premium handle and spreader block. At £139 you’d want mesh of a similar quality throughout if it were possible, but you are really paying for the telescopic mechanism.
If you are the sort of angler that catches fish in a wide variety of situations – tight swims, boat fishing, open water then the Onyx Quickdraw has genuine value. The adjustability of the length will overcome some real practical issues that a normal fixed length net just can’t solve.
It’s a really good piece of kit and makes the task of landing a fish that much easier when you find yourself in awkward positions.
What Anglers Like
- ✓Innovative twist-lock system adjusts to any length
- ✓Exceptionally compact at 44 inches when collapsed
- ✓UK-made stainless steel spreader block
- ✓Extends to 6’3″ providing excellent reach
- ✓Versatile for tight swims, boat work, and open water
What Could Be Better
- ✕Mesh quality doesn’t quite match the premium handle
- ✕Twist-lock collar requires firm pressure to engage
#8. Korda Kaizen Green Net
Solid Mid-Range Choice
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The Kaizen Green is the little brother to the Spring Bow and at £114.99, you are getting the same basic product for just over half the price. It’s the reverse taper carbon handle that is stiff without being heavy, it’s the floating for not having to worry about a net float and it’s the stainless steel spike for holding fish in the margins.
The above are all authentic Spring Bow features but a lot cheaper. The main difference is the spreader block.
Instead of the machined aluminium JAG block you get on the Spring Bow, you have injection moulded plastic with an aluminium insert. Does it look as premium? No.
Does it perform just as well? Yes. The 6ft handle balances nicely and there is zero flex when lifting under fish.
The lack of flex is due to that reverse taper handle – it looks a bit chunkier than more modern slim poles, but all the engineering under the surface is just as good. The 42 inches with the shallow mesh as standard is fine for 99% of carp fishing in the UK.
If you prefer a deep mesh then Korda sell a deep mesh to fit it. The isotope slot in the spreader block holds a Korda Mini Stow-Lite for making the pole visible at night.
Included is the premium nylon sleeve, which is not always the case at this price. If you are already into the Kaizen Green rod range, then this one completes the range, coming in the same matt black and green colouring.
If you are an angler who likes the idea of proven Spring Bow tech, but the £229 price tag was way too much then the Kaizen Green is the one to go for. It is not quite as refined as the Spring Bow, but for the purpose of getting out and actually fishing, it will do everything you will need.
What Anglers Like
- ✓Spring Bow design at just over half the price
- ✓Floats without needing a separate net float
- ✓Reverse taper handle delivers excellent rigidity
- ✓Isotope slot for night fishing visibility
- ✓Premium nylon sleeve included
What Could Be Better
- ✕Injection moulded spreader block lacks premium aesthetics
- ✕Shallow mesh only as standard
#9. Gardner GTN Landing Net
Great Value 42-Inch Net
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Recommended Tackle ShopPriced at £59.99, the Gardner GTN offers great value as an affordable landing net. For under sixty quid you get a full carbon handle, decent 42-inch mesh and a workable nylon spreader block.
That’s no cheapo handle, either, it’s a proper carbon one, albeit not 3K carbon that you’ll find on some premium nets. The spreader block is heavy duty nylon and not machined aluminium.
But it is worth noting that these are the only areas that Gardner have scrimped on to get the price down. And neither are issues that detract from the net’s performance in any way shape or form.
Quite the contrary in fact. In terms of performance, the thing that really stands out with the GTN is how quick and easy it is to assemble.
The nylon spreader block has large entry holes for the arms, so they simply slot into place without any pushing or shoving required. I’ve used nets three times the price that have been more fiddly to put together.
The mesh is also impressive for the money. It’s a universal gauge throughout, so it will run through the water without adding any drag, and it’s also kind on fish with soft knotless construction.
It’s a tad on the heavy side compared to high-end nets, and that is noticeable if you are holding it outstretched for any length of time, but for everyday netting situations it is fine. It also comes with a carry bag included, which is a nice touch at this price.
Against the majority of budget carp landing nets it wins by a nose on assembly time and mesh quality. If you’ve got £200 to spend then by all means spend it on something premium.
But if you are on a tighter budget and want a proper working landing net then the Gardner GTN is a very hard one to beat.
What Anglers Like
- ✓Outstanding value at £59.99 with carbon handle and quality mesh
- ✓Genuinely easy assembly thanks to large spreader block entry holes
- ✓Curved arms create better net shape for containing fish
- ✓Fish-friendly mesh that moves through water easily without excessive drag
- ✓Includes carry bag – not always standard at this price point
What Could Be Better
- ✕Heavier than premium carbon nets – noticeable during extended use
- ✕Nylon spreader block lacks premium aesthetics of machined alternatives
What To Look For In a Top Carp Landing Net
All landing nets are not equal, here is what you really should be looking for.
Handle Material and Length
Carbon handles are lighter and stiffer than fibreglass or composite, but not all carbon is created equal. Premium 3K carbon weave is more expensive but the reduced weight and increased stiffness is tangible. Length is a balance, I find 6ft handles are usually ideal for most venues in the UK. Not so long as to be a chore to use, and long enough to have a reasonable reach. Two-piece designs have the benefit of packing down smaller for transport, but make sure to check the spigot joint is solid with no play once assembled.
Spreader Block Design
The spreader block design determines how easy a net is to assemble, and how well it performs. Machined aluminium blocks look nice, and often have better arm entry points, but decent quality injection moulded spreader blocks are just as good for a fraction of the price. The thing to look for here is large entry holes that allow the arms to slide in without forcing, if you are having to fight the net to assemble it on the bank, that’s a poor design and not a feature.
Top Tip: – Ideally you should assemble the net in the shop and give it a try. If you are not going to be able to do that then at least watch a video review to see assembly process. Some nets may look great on paper, but be a complete nightmare to assemble in the real world. Large spreader block entry holes, and curved arms that easily flex into position are a must for hassle free assembly, especially in the dark or rain.
Mesh Quality and Depth
Mesh quality and depth is often overlooked, but is actually very important. Fish friendly knotless mesh is a must, anything less risks damage to scales. Universal gauge mesh has less drag and moves through water easier than ultra-fine, making it easier to scoop. Deep mesh provides additional security when retaining fish, but shallow mesh drains quickly and is lighter. Think about what is more important for your fishing.
Weight Distribution
Weight distribution is where the more expensive nets can justify their cost. A well-balanced net should feel comfortable to hold, when held at the base of the handle, even with the mesh soaked. If your arm is hurting after 30 seconds of holding it outstretched then that should be a clue it is poorly balanced. Reverse taper handles usually balance better than straight poles but often have a chunkier look.
Value For Money
Value for money is not about going for the cheapest net, it is about getting the right features for the right price. A £60 net that assembles easily, has quality mesh, and solid construction often outperforms a £150 net with unnecessary gimmicks. Stick to the fundamentals: does it land fish safely? Is it practical to use? Will it last? If so then that is what you should be looking for.