Wychwood Riot Tactical Landing Net sectioned net has a purposeful, solid feel from the outset. It's a proper working landing net and you can't argue with the value.
The ultra stiff carbon handle has a substantial feel in the hand, and you can tell it's been engineered to be used hard rather than just have a smart look on the bank.
The carbon is rigid, with zero lag when it's scooping a fish which makes a huge difference. The cheaper, flexier nets leave you feeling like you're just waving a wet noodle around, but this Riot is rigid and controllable.
The spreader block is made from moulded ABS plastic, rather than machined metal. Don't get us wrong it's more than good enough for the price point. It's dual purpose, so compatible with both one and two piece handle setups which is useful.
The arms slide in quite smoothly, although not quite as slick as the top end machined aluminium.
The tapered carbon arms keep the weight down. They're not as rigid as the ultra high end arms but they're more than up to the job for most UK carp fishing scenarios. The taper also helps it to flow through the water with reduced resistance.
Wychwood have also used their Riot branding throughout, so matches their Riot Cork rod range if you have a coordinated setup. The Japanese shrink wrap grip is very good quality and has a nice, grippy feel even with wet hands.
The built in net float is a proper bonus at this price point. No faffing about with velcro-attached floats that start to work loose, it just sits there and does its job to keep the net surface float.
The Riot Tactical has an ultra stiff 6ft (1.8m) carbon handle which is ideal for most UK fishing situations. It comes as a one piece or two piece option – I've been using the latter which packs down really well.
The ultra stiff carbon is the standout specification feature. With an active carp trying to throw itself around when it's in the net, you want zero lag from the handle to get a grip on the net head and this delivers.
Your movements are translated instantly with no flex or delay which means you've got proper control when you need it most. It's slightly chunkier than some of the super slim modern handles, but that's a benefit here.
It's substantial in the hand and that extra diameter helps with the stiffness.
Ultra slim handles can be made to look nice, but they often have to compromise on stiffness and here Wychwood have gone for performance not looks. The Japanese shrink wrap grip is also well positioned for good handling comfort.
It's the real deal too, not the cheap foam that will peel off after a few sessions.
You can trust it to grip even with wet hands which is important when your next PB is about to go in the net. The two piece design breaks down to a really compact size which is great for transport and storage.
It also comes with a carry case included which is another nice touch at this price.
The joint between sections is solid and doesn't wobble when it's assembled. The ABS spreader block is quite a hard plastic and has done its job well. It's not machined aluminium, but it's tough stuff and the arms click in place securely.
After quite a few sessions, I've not seen any evidence of wear or looseness which is testament to good quality control.
The mesh on the Riot Tactical is made well and fish friendly. It's ultra soft and gentle on carp scales and protective slime, which is what you want from a landing net at any price. The Tactical camo pattern looks smart if you're into that sort of thing.
But it's not just about the looks, the mesh is genuinely a good quality material with solid construction throughout.
I've used this on some weedy venues and it shakes clean reasonably well. The 42 inch frame size is perfect for most UK carp. It's big enough to net fish comfortably including larger specimens of 30lb+ and even the odd catfish.
You're not scrabbling to get the fish in like you would with a smaller frame. The mesh is also deep enough to comfortably retain the fish. With the handle resting in the margins, there's plenty of mesh below the surface for the fish to sit comfortably.
They're not left with their head poking out which can happen on nets with a shallower mesh. The corners of the mesh aren't reinforced like you'd see on some premium nets, but then you're not paying premium prices here.
For this price bracket the stitching looks pretty solid though.
It's the areas that typically fail first on budget nets but the Riot looks up to the job. The net float built in also means the whole thing sits happily on the surface of the water.
If you need to let go of the net momentarily to play a fish, it just floats there rather than sinking.
It's these sort of practical features that make the Riot such good value.
The Wychwood Riot Tactical Landing Net is absolutely excellent value for money. You're getting a set of features and level of build quality that would cost a good deal more from some other manufacturers.
The ultra stiff carbon handle alone is worth a good chunk of the retail price. Cheaper nets in this price range will use inferior materials which flex and feel a bit flimsy but this Riot's carbon construction is genuinely impressive.
It's performance punches well above the price point. The net float is another nice touch that also saves you having to buy a separate net float that'll set you back extra.
The Japanese shrink wrap grip, the Tactical camo mesh, the included carry case, there's so much value packed into this net when you consider you'd expect to pay a lot more from other brands.
If you're running Wychwood Riot Cork rods, then this is the logical choice. The branding is the same, the quality matches the rest of the range and it's at a price point which is accessible rather than being a luxury purchase.
But if you're not a Wychwood user, then the Riot Tactical is still such great value. The combination of rigid carbon construction, fish friendly mesh and practical features like the built in float makes it a proper tool and not a budget compromise.
The two piece option is only marginally more expensive and has that compact packdown size which is ideal for transport. At this price point you really can't go wrong.
When considering landing nets in the budget to mid range price bracket, take a look at our guide to the best carp landing nets to see how the Riot compares to other nets in a similar price band.
Wychwood have obviously put some thought into this to make it functional and durable rather than just price it cheap. It's hard to think of a better all round landing net for UK carp fishing.
| Feature | What this means |
|---|---|
| Ultra Stiff Carbon Handle | High-quality carbon fibre construction that's been designed for maximum rigidity. When you're scooping a fish, the handle won't flex or lag - your movements translate directly to the net with no delay. |
| 6ft Handle Length (1.8m) | Standard 6-foot length that gives you plenty of reach for most UK fishing situations. Long enough to net fish in the margins without being unwieldy or difficult to control. |
| Lightweight Tapered Carbon Arms | The arms are made from carbon fibre and taper towards the ends. This keeps the weight down whilst maintaining strength, and the tapered design helps the net glide through the water more easily. |
| Dual Purpose ABS Spreader Block | Moulded ABS plastic spreader block where the arms connect to the handle. It's dual purpose because it works with both one-piece and two-piece handle configurations. Lighter than metal alternatives whilst still being strong and durable. |
| 42" Frame Size | Standard 42-inch frame that meets most UK fishery requirements. Large enough to net typical UK carp comfortably, including bigger fish up to 30lb+ and even catfish. |
| Fish Safe Soft Mesh | Ultra-soft mesh material that's gentle on fish scales and protective slime. Properly fish-friendly so you can net and move fish safely without causing any damage. |
| Tactical Camo Mesh Pattern | The mesh features Wychwood's signature Tactical camo pattern. If you're running camo gear on the bank, this coordinates perfectly with the rest of your kit whilst looking the part. |
| Japanese Shrink Wrap Grip | High-quality Japanese shrink wrap material on the handle grip. Provides excellent grip even with wet hands and won't slip at that crucial moment when you're about to net a fish. More durable than cheap foam grips. |
| Inbuilt Net Float | The net has a float built into the handle so it naturally sits on the water surface. No need for separate velcro-attached floats that can come loose - the inbuilt design keeps everything neat and functional. |
| Riot Cosmetics Throughout | Subtle Riot branding and styling that matches Wychwood's popular Riot Cork rod range. If you're already running Riot rods, this net will coordinate perfectly with your setup on the bank. |
| Two-Piece Handle Option | Available as either one-piece or two-piece handle configuration. The two-piece version breaks down for easier transport and storage in your car or rod holdall without needing as much space. |
| Compact Packdown Size | The two-piece handle design creates a nice compact package when broken down. Makes it much easier to store with the rest of your fishing luggage or in the back of the car without taking up loads of room. |
| Suitable for Bank and Boat | The 6ft handle length makes this net versatile enough to use from the bank or when boat fishing. You've got the reach you need without the handle being so long it becomes awkward in a boat. |
| Matching Carry Case Included | Comes supplied with a carry case for the two-piece version. Keeps the net protected during transport and storage, and means you're not having to buy a separate net bag. |
See how the Wychwood Riot Tactical Landing Net compares with other landing nets on overall score and current price.
| Name | Price | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wychwood Riot Tactical Landing Net | £44.99 | |
| Korda Spring Bow Net | £239.99 | |
| Daiwa Infinity Landing Net | £89.99 | |
| Prologic Avenger Landing Net | £34.99 | |
| ESP Onyx Quickdraw Landing Net | £128.99 | |
| Fox Horizon X4S Landing Net | £98.99 | |
| Solar A1 Bow LOC | £129.99 | |
| Gardner Gtn Landing Net | £59.99 | |
| 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.
Standard 6-foot length that gives you plenty of reach for most UK fishing situations. Long enough to net fish in the margins without being unwieldy or difficult to control.
High-quality carbon fibre construction that's been designed for maximum rigidity. When you're scooping a fish, the handle won't flex or lag - your movements translate directly to the net with no delay.
The arms are made from carbon fibre and taper towards the ends. This keeps the weight down whilst maintaining strength, and the tapered design helps the net glide through the water more easily.
Moulded ABS plastic spreader block where the arms connect to the handle. It's dual purpose because it works with both one-piece and two-piece handle configurations. Lighter than metal alternatives whilst still being strong and durable.
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