Fishpond Nomad Mid-Length Net Original, One Size Review (2026)

What mid-length means and who it fits

Fishpond sells the Nomad family in several handle lengths, and the mid-length sits between a short net built for close wading work and a longer boat net meant to reach fish netted from a raised position in a drift boat. At around 37 inches overall with a basket near 13 by 18 inches and about 12 inches of bag depth, this size is versatile enough to work from the bank, while wading, or leaning over a drift boat's gunwale without being so long that it becomes awkward to carry on your back between spots. Anglers who fish from a mix of positions, some days wading and some days floating, tend to find the mid-length the single most practical size rather than owning separate nets for each style of fishing.

Carbon fiber and fiberglass construction

The frame and handle use a carbon fiber and fiberglass composite rather than aluminum, wood or a lower-cost plastic blend, which is where most of the net's price comes from. This composite construction is notably light, with the net weighing about one pound including the rubber bag, light enough to carry clipped to a pack or vest all day without becoming a burden the way a heavier metal-framed net can. The material is also waterproof and UV protected, meaning it will not degrade from repeated sun exposure and wetting the way an untreated wood net eventually can, and Fishpond notes the frame floats, which means dropping it in the current does not mean losing it if you can get to it before the current carries it off.

The rubber bag and everyday handling

This net ships standard with a rubber bag rather than a mesh one, which is the better choice for catch and release fishing since rubber is gentler on a fish's protective slime coating and resists tangling with hook points during release. The bag depth of about 12 inches is enough to safely contain an average trout while you work a hook free or take a quick photo, without the fish flopping out over a shallow rim. Because the net floats and weighs so little, it handles easily one-handed even while you are also holding a rod and managing a fighting fish with your other hand, which matters in the split second netting a fish actually happens on the water.

Durability and the trade-off for the price

Composite carbon and fiberglass frames like this one are known in the fly fishing world for surviving years of hard use, including the inevitable bumps against rocks, boat gunwales and truck tailgates that eventually crack lower-quality frames. That durability, combined with the light weight, is what anglers are paying for compared with a basic wooden or aluminum net at a fraction of the price. If your fishing is occasional or your budget is tight, a less expensive net will still land fish just fine, and the premium here is really about long-term durability and reduced weight rather than a difference in basic function. For anglers who fish often enough that gear durability pays for itself over repeated seasons, the price is easier to justify.

How it compares with other trout nets

Against wooden nets like the Aventik or ONROCL that use a magnetic release system, the Nomad trades a lower price for a lighter, more weather-resistant composite build and the option of a longer mid-length handle rather than a fixed magnetic attachment point. Compared with folding or telescopic nets like the PLUSINNO, the Nomad sacrifices packability for a fixed frame that some anglers find sturdier and faster to deploy without unfolding or extending anything. Within Fishpond's own lineup, the mid-length splits the difference between shorter nets built purely for wading and the larger mid-length boat net meant for bigger fish and drift boat use. For an angler who wants one durable, light net that covers wading and boat fishing without switching gear, this is a strong pick, matching our score of 8.9 out of 10.

Frequently asked questions