Specimen Landing Nets - Putting them together.

[Chris Playle]

I have a Keenets 36" Landing net and handle. (As requested in the regs of my local Angling Association for Carp and Pike fishing).

 

The landing net came with a "powerblock". This is basically a V shaped piece of plastic coated aluminium.

 

The landing net is constructed of two different types of mesh and had green coloured lifting handles sewn into the mesh inside and out. The arms of the net are made of what looks to be fibre glass with metal right angles on the end furthest from the handle and metal covers on the other end near the power block.

 

To build the net the metal studs push into the powerblock. As the arms are pushed into the power block the whole thing comes under tension and the net forms a triangular shape.

 

With me so far ?

 

To put the arms in the power block I have to put one arm in then bend the other arm while trying to keep the mesh as close to the power block as possible. This takes some doing and I have to wedge the end of the arm with my foot in order to get enough bend on the arm to get it in. :confused: :confused:

 

Taking the net appart is as much of a struggle as the whole process has to be reversed. :mad:

 

I was wondering if there is an easier way of getting the arms in the powerblock as I have now ripped the mesh (thankfully at an easily repairable position) and there's a horrible cracking sound everytime I tension the arms to get them in the powerblock. I get the feeling that next time I tension the arms to get them in the block I'm going to snap them or rip the mesh again at a place where it can't be sewn up again.

 

I was looking in the Waterline Catalogue the other day and they have powerblocks which fold up and then expand out then the arms have been slotted in. Would one of these be better?

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks guys.

 

Tight Lines

 

Chris

[John 'BLOCK']

Sounds much better.....i have always wondered why someone had not invented a net with a block like the one you mention...do you have a link for the net you mention ?

I have a similar keenets net and i find that its easiest to wedge the the block against my foot with it resting on my unhooking mat then bend the arms into the other side of the block...if that helps !!

good luck

[Gaffer]

Hi all, I've found the easiest way is to have the net on it's side and between my legs.

I then gently apply pressure on the handle/spreader block until the tension cord is relaxed enough to be able to pull out/push in the second arm.

 

Does that make sense?

 

[ 25 April 2002, 04:05 PM: Message edited by: Gaffer ]

[Gaffer]

Quick sketch for ya!

 

[John 'BLOCK']

Makes perfect sense Gaffer...much better explanation than i could manage..and with a picture diagram too !!

I'm sure if seen some of your works Gaffer in Tony Hart's Galley !!

[chesters1]

i just bought a new 42" net with the same device ,you look a right prat putting it up ,worse taking it down, my old net 36" had a screw spreader i found it worked fine (after drilling a hole in it for a bit of string to go through and tying it to the net) why do they change what works ,is there a chance on netting your record carp he makes a run for it taking the arms and net with it when these push fit joints loosen after time?

[Allan]

It sounds to me as though you could do with some body building, try your local gym.

Bow nets take a bit of getting used to, do not worry the muscles will soon come!

Perhaps you should start on a smaller bow net first and work up to a mans one.

[Ziptrev]

Chris,

I agree it is a problem!

On holiday in Ireland recently, I literally had the block break on my 3 week old net, trying to get it down!

Give the dealer his due, on return changed with no quibble, but annoying at the time.

 

Zip

 

[ 26 April 2002, 05:24 AM: Message edited by: Ziptrev ]

[Peter Sharpe]

I bought one of those Keenets Landing nets by mail order, and finding it almost impossible to assemble, I cracked one of the solid fibreglass arms before I had even had it for five minutes. The shop, (Dansons I think), gave me a refund with no quibbles, but it was of dreadfully poor quality. I've found that solid glass is useless for any purpose where it is subjected to constant stress, and I now have the Terry Eustace net with hollow glass arms. One hell of a lot more expensive though.

 

[ 26 April 2002, 07:19 AM: Message edited by: Peter Sharpe ]

[Chris Playle]

Thanks for the ideas people. Thanks for the diagram Gaffer, much appreciated.

 

Due to "unforseen circumstances" (i.e. the missus has banned me from going fishing this weekend ) I'll be trying to sew up the ripped join on the net. Thankfully it's right at the edge of the mesh up near the powerblock and shouldn't be much of a problem.

 

Thanks again.

 

Tight Lines

 

Chris