I use a standard size fishing net. used to be nylon but switched to a rubber net to keep treble hooks from tangling so bad . I lay it in back on tank well but leave it resting on nose of kayak when fish are actively biting .
I used to use a larger landing net but got a smaller one that works MUCH better down at St. Mark's Outfitters. I have been thinking it might be nice to catch a cobia this spring in the kayak, and saw a really neat looking one yesterday at Kevin's that telescopes and would do a much better job on a cobia than my smaller one. I hate fishing without a net because I am always concerned about losing a fish. I am not much on catch and release as I am usually fishing for dinner and I sure hate to lose one at the boat.
Hey! Go to sports authority. They have a frabill trout net that is rubber....has a lanyard and a clip....and is like 15bucks. I scooped up a 22in red in it no prob....and its small and not in the way when placed in my right hand flush mount. Its a great deal.
I use one of these, last Oct used it to land my big red and then only to have the gripper let it go before I was ready to , arrgh. It has a float so I can just let it float beside the yak and keep it attached to the yak with the lanyard.
Today I was leaving work to go fishing and realized I forgot my rods, My net was the only thing in my kayak. That should tell you how importaint that thing is to me. I will also bring a gaff with me once I start targeting the big stuff in a few more weeks.
Little boys and girls ask for just one more cast, I ask for a lantern. Black Dodge, camo 13.5 ride and a P.A. 12 in dune