Nets

Nets — Landing Nets, Trout Nets, Drop Nets & Shrimp Push Nets

Sharnbrook Tackle has been supplying anglers since the 1970s, when founder David Watts — then serving in the military — began sharing his love of fishing with fellow service personnel during their downtime. What started as a way to pass on a passion has grown into a trusted tackle business, but one thing has never changed: a genuine belief in kit that performs when it truly matters.

And with a net, the moment of truth comes right at the end! You've hooked your fish, played it carefully, and worn it down — and now everything hinges on getting it safely to hand. A net that's too small, too shallow, or too flimsy can turn a triumphant landing into a heartbreaking bump-off in the blink of an eye. That's exactly why we take our net range seriously.

We don't stock these nets simply to fill a shelf. Every one has earned its place because it does the job properly — landing fish cleanly and safely, standing up to real use, and giving you the confidence to bring your catch home.

A net for every job

Shrimp Push Net — SBK.PrnNet 

Fancy gathering your own fresh bait rather than paying over the odds at the shop? The Shrimp Push Net is the tool for exactly that! Designed to be pushed along the seabed through shallow water, it scoops up shrimps and prawns as you go — a traditional, satisfying way to collect some of the finest natural bait there is.

There's real pleasure in this kind of hands-on bait gathering, and there's no beating the results either. Freshly caught shrimp is irresistible to a huge range of species, and the savings soon mount up over a season. Built with a sturdy frame and a hard-wearing net, the SBK.PrnNet is made to handle the drag of sand and shingle time and again. A brilliant addition to the kit for any angler who likes to work for their bait.

Best for: Collecting fresh shrimp and prawn bait in shallow coastal water.

Landing Net Vivtek N40B 

The Vivtek N40B is a quality landing net built for anglers who want a dependable, well-made tool that won't let them down. A good landing net is one of those purchases you make once and rely on for years — and the N40B is exactly that sort of net.

With a generous, well-shaped frame and a soft, fish-friendly mesh, it scoops your catch cleanly and holds it securely while you unhook. The mesh matters more than most anglers realise: a soft, knotless material protects a fish's delicate slime coat and fins, giving your catch the very best chance on release. Sturdy where it counts and comfortable to handle, the N40B is a proper all-rounder for the serious angler.

Best for: General landing duties across coarse and specimen fishing where quality and reliability count.

Deep Drop Net — SBK70-75 

Ever tried to land a decent fish over a high harbour wall or the side of a boat with a standard net? It simply won't reach! That's where the Deep Drop Net earns its keep. Lowered on a rope down to the waterline, it lets you scoop up a fish from a height that would defeat any conventional landing net.

Boat anglers, pier and harbour wall fishers, and anyone working from a high mark will find this net invaluable. The deep, generous bag holds a good fish securely as you haul it up, and the strong frame keeps its shape under the weight of a solid catch. When there's a genuine gap between you and the water, a drop net turns an awkward, risky landing into a straightforward one.

Best for: Landing fish from boats, piers, and harbour walls where height makes a standard net useless.

Trout Nets — N42B, N43B & N45B 

For the game angler, a proper trout net is a joy to fish with. This range offers three models — the N42B, N43B, and N45B — so you can pick the size and style that best suits your fishing, whether you're wading a river, working a stillwater from the bank, or fishing from a boat.

Trout nets are designed to be light, easy to carry, and quick to bring into action — because when a trout is ready for the net, you want it in your hand without fuss! A soft, knotless mesh is the standard here, protecting the fish for a clean release, which matters enormously on catch-and-release fisheries. Well balanced and beautifully practical, these nets are a pleasure to use season after season.

Best for: Trout and game fishing on rivers, stillwaters, and from the boat — particularly catch-and-release.

Choosing the right net

Feeling spoilt for choice? Don't worry — a few simple principles make the decision far easier.

• Match the net to your fishing. A trout net for game fishing, a landing net for coarse and specimen work, a drop net for height, and a push net for bait — each is built for a specific job, and using the right one makes all the difference.
• Think about size and depth. Too small a net and a big fish won't fit; too shallow and it can flip straight back out! Choose a net with enough room and depth for the largest fish you realistically expect to land.
• Consider your reach. Fishing from a high boat deck, pier, or harbour wall? A standard net simply won't get you down to the water — a deep drop net is the answer.
• Prioritise a fish-friendly mesh. Soft, knotless mesh protects a fish's slime coat, scales, and fins, which is essential for clean catch-and-release. Your fish will thank you for it.
• Don't skimp on build quality. A net that collapses, tears, or bends at the crucial moment is a false economy. A well-made net lasts for years and repays its cost many times over.
• When in doubt, ask. There's no substitute for local knowledge — and we're always happy to share ours!

Getting the most from your net

A net is a simple tool, but a little care and technique go a long way:

• Net head-first, and let the fish come to you. Submerge the net and draw the fish over it before lifting — never chase or stab at a fish, which is the surest way to knock it off the hook!
• Wet the mesh before use. A dry net is harsher on a fish's protective slime coat. A quick dip first keeps things gentle and fish-friendly.
• Keep the fish in the water where you can. For catch-and-release, unhooking in a submerged or ground-resting net minimises stress and handling, giving your catch the best chance on release.
• Rinse after saltwater sessions. Salt is merciless on frames and mesh alike! A thorough freshwater rinse and a good dry-off keeps your net in top condition for years.
• Check the mesh and frame regularly. A small tear or a weakened joint has a habit of failing at exactly the wrong moment. A quick inspection before each trip saves a world of frustration.
• Store it dry. Damp mesh left bundled up soon smells and degrades. Let your net dry fully before packing it away.

Trusted tackle, honest advice

We stock nets we have genuine confidence in — from Vivtek's dependable landing and trout nets to our own hard-wearing drop and shrimp push nets — because they perform reliably in real UK fishing conditions, not because they carry the biggest marketing budget. A net that tears, sags, or bends under the weight of a good fish will cost you the catch of the day, and we simply won't stock anything we wouldn't happily fish with ourselves.

If you're unsure which net suits your target species, your local marks, or the way you like to fish, get in touch. We've been helping anglers land their fish safely for over 50 years, and there's little we enjoy more than talking tackle. No jargon, no upselling — just straightforward advice from people who fish.

Frequently asked questions

What size landing net do I need?

As a general rule, choose a net large and deep enough to comfortably hold the biggest fish you realistically expect to catch — with a bit to spare. Too small a net risks a fish not fitting, or flipping back out at the crucial moment! For general coarse and specimen fishing, a good all-round landing net like the Vivtek N40B covers most situations. If you're targeting bigger specimens, size up accordingly. When in doubt, a slightly larger net is rarely a mistake.

What's the difference between a landing net and a drop net?

A landing net is used by hand, drawn through the water to scoop up a fish you're playing at or near the surface. A drop net, by contrast, is lowered on a rope down to the waterline — designed for situations where there's a real height gap between you and the water, such as fishing from a boat, pier, or harbour wall. If you fish from height, a standard landing net simply won't reach, and a deep drop net like the SBK70-75 becomes essential.

Why does a soft, knotless mesh matter?

A soft, knotless mesh is far kinder to fish than a coarse, knotted one. It protects the delicate slime coat, scales, and fins from damage, which is vital for the health of any fish you intend to release. Knotted mesh can graze and harm a fish, particularly around the eyes and gills. For catch-and-release fishing especially — which is why our trout nets use it as standard — a fish-friendly mesh gives your catch the very best chance once it goes back.

How does a shrimp push net work?

A shrimp push net is pushed along the seabed through shallow coastal water, scooping up shrimps and prawns as it goes. It's a traditional, hands-on method of gathering your own fresh bait — and there's real satisfaction in it! Fresh shrimp is superb bait for a wide range of species, and collecting your own saves money over a season. The SBK.PrnNet is built with a sturdy frame and hard-wearing net to cope with the drag of sand and shingle, so it stands up to repeated use.

Can I use one net for both sea and coarse fishing?

Some nets are genuine all-rounders, but many are built with a particular job in mind. A quality landing net will serve you well across coarse and specimen fishing, while a drop net is the go-to for landing sea fish from height. Trout nets are best kept for game fishing, and a shrimp push net is purely for bait gathering. If you fish more than one discipline, it's worth having the right net for each — but if you'd like a recommendation, just get in touch and we'll point you in the right direction.

How do I look after my net so it lasts?

The golden rule, especially for sea anglers, is to rinse everything thoroughly in fresh water after each session and let it dry completely before storing — salt corrodes frames and degrades mesh alarmingly fast! Check the mesh for tears and the frame and joints for any weakness before each trip, as a small fault has a way of failing at the worst possible moment. Store your net dry and out of direct sunlight, and it'll serve you faithfully for many seasons.

Ready to land your next catch?

Whether you're gathering fresh shrimp bait along the shore, landing specimen fish on a stillwater, hauling a good one up a harbour wall, or netting a trout on a wild river, our Nets range has the tool for the job. Well made, dependable, proven in UK waters, and backed by advice from anglers who've been at this since the 1970s.

Browse the full collection below, or get in touch if you'd like a recommendation based on your target species, method, and local marks. Get your net right, and the fish of the day has nowhere left to go!