Crab net handle length

[TimBass]

I built 3 new crab nets this winter , all have different lengths.One is 5 1/2 ft, 5 ft. 3inch, 4 1/2 ft. Any one here on the board use different lengths or standards on their handles ??????

Timbass

[capt brad]

Mine's 4'. Was 8, but broke it on a tree limb. 8 is too much anyway. I would guess 5 or so depending on your gunnel hts. I'm pretty close to the water on my boat. I used the longer handle because I had my propstick too high and had to reach forward. I remedied that by lowering it and loosining my line. The other couple (I'm not telling ya'll the real number) I dropped in the river were about 4-5"

I'm figureing out some kind of crab net "SAFETY SYSTEM" now.

[Fat Jimmy]

Brad- cut a piece of pool noodle and slide it down onto the handle of your net. Trust me, it works.

[TimBass]

One net I made has a bamboo handle, every 12" it has a hollow core .Should float pretty easy, but need to test it out. I will bring it to the "Snoodfest" !!! Tim

[POLECAT]

Last summer I made a very light weight net. Aluminum wire mesh and hollow aluminum handle plugged at both ends to seal water out. It passed the float test with 12" of the handle sticking vertically out of the water. No additional floatation was used. My wooden handle net failed the same test. It has an aluminum rim and stainless steel wire mesh basket.

The pool noodle works to keep a net afloat, but I have found it to be cumbersome to handle. I'm still working to find a better alternative. A 10' length of 1/8" braided nylon rope like Loktite tied to the end of the handle is a remedy, but not exactly what I'm looking for. The end of the rope can be secured to the boat or to a float.

There's got to be a better way.

[fisheyed]

Try attaching the net to a old lacrosse Defence pole and injectiong with foam.

[POLECAT]

RJ did just that. That handle makes for a very sturdy one, but I think it's too heavy to float.

Have you tried it?

[crabby and son]

How to make a crab net float...........................two scoops of crab net and 12 oz of 7 UP.........you guys are thinking too much............Get the net.........................Gary

[Burchbeer]

Maybe backer rod would work in a hollow handle? A dense foam in varying diameters used to seal building air leaks and more.

Just a thought.

http://www.bestmaterials.com/backer_rod.aspx

[rj]

RJ did just that. That handle makes for a very sturdy one, but I think it's too heavy to float.

Have you tried it?

Scientific observation:.... alll my crab nets with metal handles ,,including the one made with the lacrosse stick, when dropped overboard, dissapeared out of sight at the same rate of time ,which was always faster than I could react & grab them,,length of the handle didn't make any difference they all sank at the same rate!!!!

I got me a new (used) LAX stick recently and am gonna try to fill it with some kind of floatation, I will test it in the shallow water b4 I take it to the deep!!!

the lacrosse stick was the best handle & strongest & lightest net that I ever had,,I always dip one-handed , so I am always looking for the lightest, easiest net to handle