ESP Onyx Quickdraw Landing Net

How well is it built?

The ESP Onyx Quickdraw is a very different landing net to anything else on the market. The range ticks all the right boxes in terms of size and features, with the major talking point being the telescopic twist-lock handle mechanism.

It's a mid-to-premium product, and the build quality reflects the reputation ESP have as a maker of well-engineered, robust tackle. The unique feature here is obviously the telescopic twist-lock handle, and it works incredibly well.

The high modulus carbon sections are stiff and solid, and the inner telescopes easily and smoothly in the outer. There's zero wobble or play in the mechanism – everything feels solid and confidence-inspiring.

The twist-lock collar grips really well at any point on the handle length and once locked into position, it's absolutely rock solid. The stainless steel spreader block is machined in-house at ESP's factory in Oxford.

You know when you use UK-made kit, and the Onyx ticks all the boxes. The engineering is solid, the finish is excellent and the block feels substantial but not heavy.

The stainless steel won't corrode for the lifetime of the net, and the precision machined parts fit together with real accuracy. The 42" arms are stiff and light, holding their shape well under load.

They're not quite up there with the feel of some of the high-end carbon arms, but they're more than good enough for the job. The arms attach with no movement or flex at the spreader block.

The only reason this net isn't scoring top marks is that the telescopic mechanism, while absolutely superb when locked in place, does add a little more weight than a standard two-piece handle.

The twist-lock collar also needs quite firm pressure to engage, and it's a technique you get used to after a couple of times. The overall build quality is excellent, and these are very minor niggles on a really well-made net.

Handle & Spreader

The ESP Onyx Quickdraw absolutely nails it here. The telescopic twist-lock handle is genuinely a game changer and you can't go back to a standard two-piece quickdraw net after using one.

The handle length can be set from 44" to a full 6 feet 3 inches, and the clever bit is that it can be locked at any point in between. Fishing a swim with limited room and overhanging branches? Lock the handle at 4 feet. Fishing open water with fish tiring at distance?

Fully extend to 6'3". Boat fishing? Anything in between. It's an amazing luxury to have, and one you don't really appreciate until you've experienced it.

The twist-lock mechanism itself is beautifully simple. Extend to your desired length, twist the collar firmly and it's locked solid. The internal gripping mechanism holds tight, even with a big fish thrashing in the net.

Unlock it by twisting back the other way and the sections slide freely again. It takes a session or two to build the muscle memory, but after that it's second nature.

Balance is excellent at all lengths. At full extension, the net doesn't feel top-heavy despite the stainless steel spreader block. At half extension, it's perfectly weighted for one-handed use.

High modulus carbon keeps everything stiff with zero flex or lag, even when you're reaching out at awkward angles.

Collapsed length is just 44", which is a massive practical advantage. It's the same length as a 9-foot Quickdraw rod, so you can strap them both together for transport. For anglers who walk to their swims or have limited space in the car, this compact design is brilliant.

You're not lugging around a 6-foot handle that won't fit in the boot.

Spreaders are basic, no quick-release mechanism here, just reliable stainless steel engineering. Arms slot in and stay put. Setup is quick, and the UK manufacturing quality is obvious in how everything fits.

Mesh

The mesh on the Onyx Quickdraw is good quality but it's the weakest element of an otherwise excellent landing net. The deep olive color is a nice smart choice, subtle and less likely to look out of place or wash the swim out. The material itself is soft and fish friendly.

Depth is good, ESP advertise it as "deep" and it genuinely is substantial enough to hold fish safely in the margins for unhooking and photos. If you've got a carp in the net and it's resting at the side, there's plenty of mesh to support them safely.

It's not over-deep to the point of being bulky, which is sensible.

Drainage is reasonable, not overly coarse but with good water flow, so you're not left struggling to lift a net full of water. Soft material is ideal as it won't damage fish scales or protective slime coat. Carp can rest comfortably with minimum stress.

The area where the mesh loses marks is in the feel and construction. It's not quite the same premium quality that you get on more expensive nets. The material feels a touch lighter and less robust than you'd ideally want for this money.

The corners are well-made but there's no reinforcement there which might be an issue with long term heavy use.

For everyday carp fishing, this mesh will be more than fine. I'd just be a bit careful about repeatedly scraping it across gravel or rough ground. With care and rinsing after use, it should last you several seasons. It's functional, but not exceptional like the rest of the net.

Is it good value for money?

The ESP Onyx Quickdraw occupies an interesting sweet spot. It's not cheap but it offers something genuinely unique that you can't get anywhere else – that telescopic twist-lock system that locks to any length you need.

The question is, does that convenience and versatility justify the premium over standard nets? For me, it comes down to how you fish. If you're constantly in varied swim sizes, tight spaces or boat work, that adjustability makes this net worth its weight in gold.

Being able to set the perfect handle length for each situation makes landing fish easier, safer, and reduces the chance of losing fish in awkward moments.

Collapsed length of just 44" is a genuine practical bonus that saves hassle every time you transport your kit. If you walk to swims or have a small car, that compact design could be a deciding factor.

You're getting UK-made quality in the spreader block, high modulus carbon in the handle and that clever mechanism.

Mesh is the only area where I'd want more bang for my buck. It's adequate but not exceptional, and at this price you'd ideally want premium mesh all the way through. Mesh is replaceable if needs be though, and you're really paying for handle and mechanism here.

If you're deciding between different options and trying to work out which features matter most for your fishing, our landing net buying guide covers all the key considerations to help you decide.

For me, if you fish in mixed situations – boat work, tight swims, open water – then this net is solid value. The versatility and convenience genuinely makes your fishing easier in ways a standard net can't match.

You're paying for innovation that solves real practical problems.

The only reservation I have is that if you exclusively fish open water from roomy swims then you won't fully utilise the adjustability. In that case, you could save a few quid with a standard 6-foot net.

But for most carp anglers who fish mixed situations, the Onyx Quickdraw offers genuine value at its price point.