There are all sorts of landing nets, but not all of them are good for bass fishing. I have three I use most often. Ninety-nine percent of the time, I carry a net with a telescoping handle that extends to about 6 feet. In a tournament, this is the net I want my co-angler to use.

If I’m fishing big water such as Lake Erie, I have another telescoping net that extends to about 12 feet and has a huge basket. But this takes up a lot of room and it’s heavy. If I’m paired with a guy who, for whatever reason, seems to be unable to handle a net that size, I’ll go with the smaller net.

The third net I use a lot has a 3-foot handle and a medium basket with nylon mesh. This type of net is pretty common and you can find it at the local Walmart. This is the net I take with me if I’m fishing by myself, such as in the top 10 of a tournament, and I have to land a fish myself. It can’t reach out as far, but it’s super light and I can brace it against my forearm and move it quickly as needed.

I don’t keep the net in the water when I’m landing a fish. I make a quick dip when I feel it’s right, and that’s how I net my fishing partners’ fish, too. Regardless of the handle length, a net that is light and maneuverable, with fairly open mesh, is the best choice to get a good fish in the boat fast.

—- Frosted Flakes pro Dave Lefebre, Erie, Pa.