PLUSINNO Fly Fishing Net, 16 x 13 in, Rubber Mesh, Folding, Portable, Lightweight, Telescopic Handle Review (2026)

Size and Portability

The PLUSINNO net's main selling point is how small it packs down. The hoop folds against the handle and the handle itself telescopes, bringing the whole net to roughly 17 inches collapsed, short enough to clip to a pack or slide into a daypack without sticking out awkwardly. Extended for use, the net reaches about 28 inches overall, which is on the shorter side for a landing net but workable for wading anglers who do not need extra reach from a boat or high bank. This folding, telescopic design is aimed squarely at anglers who hike into water, travel with their gear, or simply want a net that does not take up space in a vehicle.

Hoop and Mesh

The hoop measures 16 by 13 inches, sized for typical trout and bass rather than large saltwater or big-game species, and it is shaped into a teardrop basket that the maker says helps keep fish secured once netted. The mesh itself is a soft rubber material rather than knotted nylon, a detail that matters because rubber mesh is much gentler on a fish's slime coat and fins than traditional mesh, and it also resists snagging on hook points and fly line during release. This combination of hoop size and rubber mesh lines up with what most trout and smallmouth anglers need for a quick, fish-friendly catch and release.

Closure and Carry

Two magnets built into the frame hold the net closed when folded, which keeps it compact for transport without needing a separate strap or clip to keep it shut. For carrying while fishing, the net has a dedicated belt clip system with a carabiner and a magnetic release, letting it hang from a pack or vest and pop free quickly when a fish is ready to be landed. That quick-release feature is a genuine convenience for wade fishing, where fumbling with a zipper or buckle at the moment a fish is close can cost you the netting attempt.

Trade-Offs of a Folding Design

Folding hoops and telescoping handles add moving parts and joints that a fixed, one-piece net simply does not have, and those joints are the most likely spot for wear or looseness to develop over repeated seasons of use, particularly with hard use or sandy, gritty conditions. The net is also heavier in the hand than a simple fixed wooden trout net of similar hoop size, since the folding hardware and telescoping tube add material the fixed alternative does not need. Anglers who want the lightest possible net for long days of hiking and casting may still prefer a basic wooden net despite the extra length it takes up in a pack.

Who Should Buy It

This net suits anglers who prioritize packability over having the lightest possible net or the longest reach, particularly hikers, travelers, and anyone who wants a net that stores easily in a vehicle or pack between trips. The 16 by 13 inch hoop and rubber mesh are well matched to typical trout and bass, so anglers chasing larger species will want a bigger net regardless of the folding design. For most freshwater wading and small boat use, the combination of a compact folded size, quick-release carry system, and fish-friendly mesh makes this a sensible, low-cost option rather than a premium landing net.

Frequently asked questions