Thread: whitebait sock nets

Looking at buying a decent twin trap sock net, does anyone know the pros and cons fishing wise of a netting supplies akura vs their twin trap southland sock? Both have the same opening size I think and two traps but the akura is more of a sausage shape rather than the long cone of the southland sock.

Nascan also do a twin trap southland sock out of eziflow how does this material compare wear and drag in the water wise compared to ulstron? Their net is $130 odd cheaper I know the kiwimesh used by netting supplies on their cheaper nets is supposed to be significantly inferior to ulstron is eziflow the same stuff as kiwimesh or is better? Nascan has a 5yr warranty vs only 2 years for netting supplies but I would assume netting supplies would be just as if not more durable?

Are there any other kiwi sock net manufacturers worth looking at other than netting supplies and Nascan, aside from shit imported stuff like fishfighter?

I have a cheap Chinese one. Southland sock copy.
I have had it for around 5 yrs and it was only supposed to last a couple.
It works a treat in the half dozen rivers I fish regularly. I can fish pretty shallow and fast water with it but it is best in deep steady flow.
Colour of the mesh suits most rivers on the coast as well.

I had over 40kg in it behind the rear trap and lifted it with no issues.
Will happily buy another when it craps out.
I sell a wee bit of bait but usually only to buy gear. Only took 4kg to pay for the net and screen

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We use a Southland sock on our stand and next stand down uses a akura.Thought it was personal preference but happy to be proven wrong!Our net is ulstron and is 5 years old and looks like new except not white anymore !Have another grey net for potnetting different spots and it is not as hard wearing as the ulstron.

interesting R93 is it this one? https://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/fis...576d19377a-001 I have heard it was best to avoid it but as you say if it is durable and works what more do you need?

I have an ulstron scoop net which is easy to move through the water and i have used homemade set nets with cheaper synthetic netting in the past which worked but weren't particularly durable would be interested to get some more feedback on the various socks

Originally Posted by yerimaginaryM8

interesting R93 is it this one? https://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/fis...576d19377a-001 I have heard it was best to avoid it but as you say if it is durable and works what more do you need?

I have an ulstron scoop net which is easy to move through the water and i have used homemade set nets with cheaper synthetic netting in the past which worked but weren't particularly durable would be interested to get some more feedback on the various socks

Looks to be the same size but slightly different. Hoops behind mouth look larger.

I bought mine off a mate that sells them. He told me I would be replacing it in 2 yrs.
I don't scoop anymore. I do way better pot netting for less effort.

I think if you are careful in where you site the net they should last as good as any other.
I often tinker with mine directing flow depending on how the fish are running.
We get a lot of sludge from the powder factory in the Hoki that will clog your net but you can use it to your advantage to shift the current at the mouth to where you want it.
For a cheap net it works well for me and if I wreck it shifting it during tides etc it won't hurt the pocket as much.

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Originally Posted by R93

I have a cheap Chinese one. Southland sock copy.
I have had it for around 5 yrs and it was only supposed to last a couple.
It works a treat in the half dozen rivers I fish regularly. I can fish pretty shallow and fast water with it but it is best in deep steady flow.
Colour of the mesh suits most rivers on the coast as well.

I had over 40kg in it behind the rear trap and lifted it with no issues.
Will happily buy another when it craps out.
I sell a wee bit of bait but usually only to buy gear. Only took 4kg to pay for the net and screen

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

I'll save you the issue of trying to sell it.

Just send it to me.

Easy.

Originally Posted by Beaker

I'll save you the issue of trying to sell it.

Just send it to me.

Easy.

I definitely owe you some.


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I use a NZ made net from Southern Nets based I think in Cromwell? Ph number 0274 380 840 They make single or double trap nets out of pretty much any material you want. Have found them very helpful and more than happy to do repairs and service of their product. I have nets made from either Polyprop or Ulstron. Polyprop is much more durable than ulstron but in lower current or very clear water I tend to use an ulstron net. Double or single trap?, I could make an argument either way.

All my fishing is on the Waikato river so take from that what you will.

Cheers Got-ya and after talking to Southern nets I managed to pick up a two trap ulstron tube net old stock at a slightly discounted price from a retailer that stocks their nets. I just picked it up and it looks to be very well made. Apparently they only use ulstron now for all their nets and won't use anything else due to it's superior characteristics. Do you also use one of their screens? they ain't cheap but also look to be very well made

Good score, I just make my own screens out of shade cloth with some net floats on top and light galvanised chain cable tied to the bottom. No one up here uses Gobies? is that what you call them?, solid frame screens up here as current not strong enough to need them.