EGO® Fishing Issues Crucial Directives For Master-Level Landing Net Operation
23 seconds ago by Chris Munchow
Modified Mar 11th, 2026 at 2:11 PM
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Why the Landing Net is Not an Afterthought |
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EGO® Fishing issues crucial directives for master-level landing net operation |
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Caldwell, ID (March 11, 2026) – The landing net is as crucial to the mission as your favorite rod and reel, no questions asked. Consider the sheer volume of variables that must align to bring a targeted fish boatside—the fuel, the gear, the gas station breakfast sandwiches, and the hard-earned hours invested in the pursuit. This is a calculated, high-stakes engagement that can be instantaneously dismantled by a subpar landing net or the tactical ignorance of a rushed finish. To fail at the net is to invalidate the entire pursuit. The EGO S2 Slider is the definitive solution to this margin of error—engineered not as a passive accessory, but as a precision instrument of extraction. With its modular design, structural integrity, and industry-leading extension technology, the S2 Slider provides the mechanical advantage required to dictate the terms of the encounter. When the stakes are at their peak, this is the architecture you want in your hands. EGO has distilled a definitive set of operational directives for superstar net operation. Owning the right tool is only half the battle – executing with precision is what separates a successful land from a heartbreaking story. The following protocols are designed to eliminate hesitation and ensure that when the fish is within range, the outcome is already decided. |
Weaponize the Reach
Extension is a significant tactical advantage of the EGO S2 Slider architecture — so utilize the full mechanical length of the chassis to dictate the terms of the engagement. Do not wait for the fish to enter the prop-wash danger zone or the abrasive environment of a barnacle-encrusted dock piling — extend the handle early to meet the fish at the outermost perimeter of the strike zone. By engaging the target at distance, you effectively neutralize its inevitable boatside conniption — shifting the power dynamic away from the thrashing predator and into a controlled extraction zone before it can leverage the hull or structure to its advantage.
The “Ghost” Submergence
Maintain a disciplined high and dry posture by keeping the hoop and netting completely out of the water until the fish has hit the point of surrender and its head is breached or clearly coming up. Submerging a net prematurely creates unnecessary hydrodynamic drag and serves as a visual trigger that alerts the predator to an immediate threat — with lateral-line-sensitive species like walleyes, the underwater turbulence of a descending net can spark a secondary flight response. Only when the fish has entered your crosshairs should you drop the hoop into the drink in one fluid, authoritative motion.
Head-First Entry (The Non-Negotiable)
Never chase a fish from the tail because you simply cannot out-swim a predator with a net. Lead the fish into the hoop head-first — once the head clears the hoop, the fish’s forward momentum becomes your greatest asset. The critical phase is the follow-through — as the fish’s center of gravity passes the hoop, maintain a fluid, upward sweep to fully envelope the target within the netting. A hesitant follow-through allows the fish to use its own propulsion to back out of the pocket — so commit to the lift and use that forward energy to seat the fish deeply into the bag.
The 45-Degree Plane
Maintain a disciplined 45-degree angle with the net hoop relative to the water’s surface. This positioning is critical to fluid dynamics — it allows the netting to flare open naturally with the current or boat drift rather than collapsing against the frame. By establishing this specific plane, you architect a high-volume, wide-mouth target — effectively creating a funnel that allows the angler to steer the fish into the deep pocket of the bag without resistance.
Kill the Horizontal Lift
This is the primary failure point for amateur-grade gear and rookie technique. Never attempt to lift a heavy fish horizontally like a snow shovel — the extreme leverage and torque created by a distant, weighted bag will place unnecessary stress on the handle’s pivot points. Once the target is secured in the netting, retract the S2 Slider handle immediately or transition to a strictly vertical lift — this utilizes the full integrity of the structurally superior shaft of the EGO chassis. By keeping the load vertical, you neutralize the lever effect — ensuring the equipment performs as designed while maintaining total control over a thrashing catch.
Manage the Tangle-Free Margin
High-performance netting requires operational clearance to function effectively — so ensure the bag is cleared of snags like a boat cleat, downrigger, or dock nail before the dip. And a partially opened bag is a shallow bag — and a shallow bag leads to catastrophic bounce-outs at the point of impact. By keeping the S2 Slider contracted and secured until it is called to action, you significantly lessen the odds of the netting catching on deck obstructions before deployment — allowing for a seamless, high-integrity transition from the deck to the water.
The Angler-Netman Synergy
In the terminal phase, the netman is the stationary target and the angler is the driver. The netman must maintain a disciplined, low-profile position — staying out of the angler’s line of sight and flow while remaining ready to mirror the fish’s trajectory. Whether a fish dives under the keel or executes a high-speed half-circle around the bow — the netman must pivot in lockstep with the rod tip to ensure the hoop is always positioned for a high-probability intercept. If both parties are moving independently, you are doubling the margin for error — so let the angler surf the fish over the submerged hoop while the netman provides the stable, immovable platform required for the finish.
The Recovery Buoyancy
True authority in the terminal phase includes the preservation of the resource — so utilize the buoyant composition of the EGO S2 Slider to maintain a wet-dock environment for the catch. Rather than immediately hoisting a trophy onto a sunbaked deck — keep the hoop partially submerged to allow the fish to remain oxygenated and fully supported while you prepare for photography or measurement. It is critical to keep the fish wet and maintain its protective slime coat at all costs — avoiding the hero shot vertical hold, which is anatomically unnatural and creates devastating internal strain on larger specimens. While gripping lips might look impactful on Instagram — it is unnecessarily hard on a fish’s specialized mouthparts and can jeopardize its ability to feed post-release.
Parting Words
Ultimately, the difference between a confirmed catch and a catastrophic gear failure is decided in the final three feet of the fight. High-performance angling demands more than just a lucky break – it requires a total commitment to technical excellence from the initial strike to the terminal lift. By integrating the EGO S2 Slider with these operational directives, you aren’t just hoping for a successful landing—you are managing a guaranteed outcome. Respect the resource, trust EGO’s architecture, and never let functional ignorance at the net be the reason the mission fails.
ABOUT EGO Fishing
Fourteen years ago, we set out on a simple mission – to develop a better fishing landing net solution that addressed the many functional and performance problems that existed with the traditional products. What started out as a small landing net company has now grown into the innovation leader in the fishing net and accessories category of the sport fishing industry. EGO products are sold at most major sporting goods retail chains and are carried by a large network of distributors and independent dealers in the United States. Distribution has also grown internationally to include countries such as Canada, Russia, South Africa, South Korea and Japan.