You wouldn't expect a net at this price to be a premium piece of kit, so you have to lower your expectations for the Gardner GTN. It's cheaper than the rest of the range and Gardner have been open and honest about the places they've made the cuts in order to keep the price down.
The main victim is the handle. It's carbon but it's not the 3K weave used on their premium range of nets. However, for what it is, it's ok. The gloss black finish with subtle Gardner branding looks the business on the bank.
The whippings around the spigot joint are tidy and the two-part connection tightens down solidly with minimal movement. Where it's clear Gardner have saved money is the spreader block. It's not machined aluminium or injection-moulded composite. It's heavy-duty nylon.
This does not look as nice as a top-end net does. No, it bloody well doesn't. But you know what? It does the job.
The nylon block is actually a pretty chunky and solid-feeling piece of kit. The big entry holes for the arms make assembly a dream – the arms slide straight in with zero faffing around. I've had nets three times the price that are more of a pain to put together than this.
The arms are also a nice curved shape, rather than straight poles. This gives a more rounded net shape which helps to contain fish better once they're in the mesh. The shrink grip on the handle is a nice practical feature.
It's not the slickest grip you'll ever hold but it does stop the handle sliding through wet hands when netting.
The 6ft two-piece handle gives good reach for the vast majority of UK carp situations. The two-piece design also means it packs down small enough to fit in most rod holdalls without the need for a separate long net bag.
OK, let's be honest. This net is no featherweight. It's a lot heavier than you'd expect from premium carbon nets.
If you are holding it out at arm's length for prolonged periods of time, you WILL notice the weight. It's a brute to use like that. The reality is, that's just physics with the materials and prices in this bracket.
It's fine for the vast majority of normal netting situations, when you're not hanging on to the net outstretched for ages, the weight isn't an issue at all. It's far lighter than old fibreglass handles, anyway.
The handle rigidity is good. It's a bit flexier than you'd get from stiffer premium poles but this isn't a deal breaker in the real world. Positioning the net under a fish, it goes where you point it without much lag from the flex.
The nylon spreader block might not win any beauty pageants but it's functionally excellent. The large entry holes make a huge difference – the assembly is seconds not minutes of wrestling with tight-fitting arms.
The arms are nice and solid once they are seated in the block too. No play or movement there even when you are lifting out big carp. The curved arm shape also means the net opens up nicely when scooping and the mesh hangs naturally without bunching.
The two-piece spigot connection is simple to use. Push the two sections together until they're fully seated and you're done. When it's together, there's minimal movement at the joint.
One area where Gardner haven't scrimped with the GTN, despite the low price, is the mesh. It's 42-inch net with olive green mesh that's really fish-friendly. The depth is also good with plenty to safely hold fish when you stab the handle into the lakebed.
The mesh is universal gauge throughout rather than having the ultra-fine sections at the bottom. This is actually a good thing with a budget net because the mesh moves through the water with minimal resistance and doesn't create excessive drag.
Ultra-fine mesh can look premium but it's a right pain when scooping. It creates more resistance and snags on everything. The universal gauge mesh on the GTN is a good balance of being fish-friendly and practical.
The olive green colour is non-spooking and the mesh itself is nice and soft with no harsh edges that would damage scales. It's properly knotless throughout. The stitching and construction all look solid.
I've not seen any fraying or weaknesses developing at stress points with regular use.
For the price, you have to be impressed by the mesh quality. The mesh also drains reasonably quickly too. It's not the fastest-drying mesh in the world but it's adequate for moving between swims without having a dripping wet net flapping around your shoulder.
This is where the Gardner GTN really scores points. This is an absolute bargain. You're getting a proper carbon handle, a nice mesh and a functional spreader block for under sixty quid.
To put that in context, the Prologic Avenger is a cheaper net but the GTN feels more refined and has better build quality. The Wychwood Riot Tactical sits a little lower and, whilst that's excellent value, the GTN edges it slightly with easier assembly and better-quality mesh.
Is it as good as top-end nets? No, of course not. It's got a heavier handle, the materials aren't as premium and you don't get the refinement of the more expensive models.
But for budget-conscious carp anglers or those starting out, the GTN does everything you actually need a landing net to do. The included carry bag is a nice bonus at this price point.
Lots of budget nets come sans-bag so proper storage and protection included is a big plus and adds to the value.
The ease of assembly is worth repeating because it really is impressive. The big holes in the spreader block mean seconds not minutes of wrestling with arms to put the net together.
It doesn't sound like a big deal until you're trying to assemble it in the dark or in the rain, then it really is worth having.
Gardner have a great reputation for durability and this net should see years of regular use. With that sort of longevity, the cost per fishing session comes to pennies.
For anglers browsing various budget-friendly options, our landing net buying guide shows how the GTN compares against other nets in this price bracket and also helps to identify which features are most important for your fishing.
If you've got serious money burning a hole in your pocket to spend on a net, buy something premium. But if you're on a tighter budget and want a proper functional landing net that does the job without emptying the wallet, the Gardner GTN is hard to beat.
| Feature | What this means |
|---|---|
| 6ft Two-Piece Carbon Handle | The handle is constructed from carbon fibre and splits into two sections for easier transport and storage. At 6ft (1.8m) it provides good reach for most UK carp fishing situations. The two-piece design makes it compact enough to fit in most rod holdalls without needing a separate long net bag. |
| Heavy Duty Nylon Spreader Block | The spreader block is made from strong nylon material rather than metal or machined components. This keeps costs down whilst still providing a robust mounting point for the arms. The large entry holes make assembly much easier than nets with smaller openings - the arms slide in effortlessly without needing to force them. |
| 42-inch Net with Olive Green Mesh | Standard 42-inch net size suitable for landing most UK carp. The olive green mesh is fish-friendly and non-spooking. The mesh is universal gauge throughout (not ultra-fine) which means it moves through the water easily without creating excessive drag when scooping fish. |
| Curved Net Arms | The arms have a curved design rather than being straight poles. This creates a more rounded, bowl-like net shape that helps contain fish better once they're in the net. The curve also means the mesh hangs more naturally, reducing tangles and making the net easier to collapse for storage. |
| Shrink Grip Handle | The handle features shrink wrap gripping material in key areas to improve hold and control. This is particularly useful when your hands are wet or when manoeuvring the net with one hand whilst controlling a rod with the other. The grip prevents the handle from slipping through your hands during netting. |
| Gloss Black Finish | The handle has a gloss black finish with understated Gardner branding and GTN graphics. The finish is durable and looks smart on the bank. The whippings around the spigot joint are also finished in gloss black, giving the net a clean, professional appearance without being overly flashy. |
| Easy Spigot Connection | The two handle sections connect via a spigot joint that snugs down firmly without being too tight. The joint features whipping wraps for added strength and protection. Assembly is straightforward - simply push the sections together until they seat properly. When assembled, there's no play or wobble at the joint. |
| Supplied with Carry Bag | The net comes with its own dedicated carry bag for protection during transport and storage. The bag keeps the mesh clean and dry, prevents damage to the arms, and makes carrying more convenient. At this price point, having a proper net bag included is a nice bonus rather than having to buy one separately. |
| Lightweight Carbon Construction | The carbon fibre handle keeps the overall weight down, making it easier to hold out for extended periods without arm fatigue. Whilst it's not as featherlight as premium 3K carbon nets, it's still noticeably lighter than fibreglass or heavy composite handles. The reduced weight makes positioning the net under fish less tiring, especially during long sessions. |
See how the Gardner Gtn Landing Net compares with other landing nets on overall score and current price.
| Name | Price | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gardner Gtn Landing Net | £59.99 | |
| Korda Spring Bow Net | £233.69 | |
| Daiwa Infinity Landing Net | £89.99 | |
| Wychwood Riot Tactical Landing Net | £44.99 | |
| Prologic Avenger Landing Net | £34.99 | |
| ESP Onyx Quickdraw Landing Net | £128.99 | |
| Fox Horizon X4S Landing Net | £134.99 | |
| Solar A1 Bow LOC | £146.99 | |
| Korda Kaizen Green Net | £112.49 |
Tracked shop prices over time.
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It is a landing net, chosen for the situations that style of fishing calls for.
The handle is constructed from carbon fibre and splits into two sections for easier transport and storage. At 6ft (1.8m) it provides good reach for most UK carp fishing situations. The two-piece design makes it compact enough to fit in most rod holdalls without needing a separate long net bag.
The spreader block is made from strong nylon material rather than metal or machined components. This keeps costs down whilst still providing a robust mounting point for the arms. The large entry holes make assembly much easier than nets with smaller openings - the arms slide in effortlessly without needing to force them.
Standard 42-inch net size suitable for landing most UK carp. The olive green mesh is fish-friendly and non-spooking. The mesh is universal gauge throughout (not ultra-fine) which means it moves through the water easily without creating excessive drag when scooping fish.
The arms have a curved design rather than being straight poles. This creates a more rounded, bowl-like net shape that helps contain fish better once they're in the net. The curve also means the mesh hangs more naturally, reducing tangles and making the net easier to collapse for storage.
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