Fox Rage Speedflow II Landing Net

A landing net isn't the flashy bit of a predator setup. Nobody spends the drive home chatting about a lovely handle retraction. But when a pike rolls beside the bank with a lure hanging from its scissors, suddenly the net matters rather a lot. The Fox Rage Speedflow II is built around that practical end of the job: rubber-coated mesh, a retractable handle and a choice of rim designs. It's a range rather than one identical net in different listings, though, and that distinction matters before you spend your quid.

First up, you've got rigid and foldable versions. The rigid nets use a robust fixed frame, so there's no hinged rim to open before you start fishing. That's a straightforward arrangement if you've got room in the car and somewhere sensible to keep the net ready. The foldable design uses a hinged rim to make storage more compact. Dead handy when a full hoop is forever catching on your other tackle. Neither approach wins outright; it depends whether carrying space or keeping things simple matters more to you.

Sizing needs a proper look, too. The Rigid Compact has a 59 cm diameter, the Rigid Large is 74 cm and the Rigid X-large is 90 cm. The Foldable Large is 70 cm, so don't assume that every net called Large has the same dimensions. Those measurements describe the head, not a guaranteed fish-size limit. Think about the fish you're likely to meet, how much room you need to guide it in cleanly, and the space available beside you. A bigger opening helps only if you can actually manoeuvre it.

For perch-led lure fishing, a smaller head is easier to accommodate than a whopping hoop, but the possibility of pike deserves some honest thought. If pike are a realistic prospect on your water, don't choose purely around the perch you hope to catch. Equally, dragging the biggest option through every bramble-lined swim can become a right faff. Buy for the fish you could reasonably hook, not just the neatest-looking setup. Head size is only part of suitability, so check the bag dimensions as well before settling on a particular model.

The rubber-coated, fish-safe mesh is another useful part of the package. Lure fishing puts exposed hooks near the net bag, often while a lively predator is doing its best to complicate things. A coating can make that situation less fiddly than dealing with trebles buried in soft, uncoated mesh, but don't read that as tangle-proof. Hooks can still catch. Have your forceps or suitable pliers ready, keep the fish supported, and work steadily. A sensible mesh choice helps the routine; it doesn't replace good handling or a properly organised unhooking area.

The retractable handle is mainly a transport and storage benefit. It lets you shorten the package, which is welcome around car boots and crowded tackle spaces. What it doesn't tell you by itself is whether you'll have enough reach from your chosen bank. A low, open margin is one thing; a steep canal edge is another. Check the working handle length of the exact version before buying. And remember that retracting the handle on a rigid model leaves the full-sized head intact. There's no magic disappearing hoop here, mate.

The rigid version's flattened front lip is a useful detail when you're guiding a fish across the opening. The aim is a controlled, head-first netting job, rather than chasing a predator around with the frame. Get the net ready before the first cast, pick your landing spot and keep it clear of spare rods or bags. Once the fish is secured, support the frame and load properly rather than treating the extended handle like a crane. That's sound practice with any landing net, especially when a decent pike is involved.

So the Speedflow II's appeal is pretty straightforward. You can choose a frame style around your transport needs and a head size around your fishing, without giving up rubber-coated mesh or a retractable handle. It won't make reluctant predators get on the munch, and an oversized model won't rescue poor netting technique. But the range gives you sensible options for that last, important part of the fight. Choose the exact version carefully, check reach and bag space, and you've got a much clearer buying decision than simply clicking the biggest one.