Gear Reviews
April 13, 2026

Handy Pak Net Review

Jared Kukura

Executive BIkefisher

Handy Pak Net Co. makes collapsible nets and carrying pouches in Ashland, Pennsylvania. Handy Pak nets are sure to come up in any fly fisher or tenkara angler’s research for packable nets and minimal setups.

I’ve used the Handy Pak ‘Premium Insta-Net’ for the last three years and countless bikefishing quests. Handy Pak says the net is designed for “superior performance and convenience.” I find the net an extremely useful companion with a few minor flaws that may be an inescapable reality of collapsible nets.

Specs

Net size: 11.5in wide x 15in long x 12in deep
Packed size: 12in long x 6.25in wide x 3.25in high
Net material: Clear (GHOST) rubber.
Handle material: Tectona grandis (teak).
Pouch: Hand-tooled leather with 2-inch belt slots.
Total weight: 14.2oz

Packability

There is only one reason to get a collapsible net – packability. The Handy Pak net scores 10 out of 10 on the packability scale.

I typically pack the net in my Surly Grappler’s front basket for easy access. The net packs down small enough to accommodate my fishing pack, sandals, and neoprene booties in the basket. I could easily fit even more gear, too.

I packed the net in my Grappler’s frame bag before the basketpacking setup. My Grappler frame has an enormous front triangle that fits all my fishing and biking gear.

My Ritchey Ultra has a much smaller front triangle because the frame is suspension corrected. But the Handy Pak net packs small enough to fit in my Ultra’s wedge frame bag along with my bike tools, snacks, and an empty water filter.

Functionality

The Handy Pak net comes with a pouch to secure the rubber net in a folded position when packed away. My net has a leather pouch that adds a touch of class with the net’s teak handle.

Handy Pak has a video tutorial on their website showing how to fold the net into its pouch. I can see how folding the net may not be intuitive for many people. But the process becomes second nature once you fold the net correctly a few times.

I appreciate that Handy Pak added two slots in the back of the pouch so that you can attach it to a belt strap. But I find the idea of actually attaching the net to myself via the pouch to be pointless, personally.

I only fold the net in the leather pouch for transport. I always have the net out of the pouch when I’m on the water. I don’t want to fold and unfold the net every time I hook into a fish.

The Handy Pak net does what I expect of it once it comes time to land fish. I’m still not someone who confidently handles fish, so having a net to land fish keeps my mind at ease. I wouldn’t pack a non-collapsible net, so the simple fact that I can bring the Handy Pak net along and that it can scoop up trout makes it highly functional from my perspective.

The Handy Pak’s metal strip rim is pliable, which I find a liability when trying to land fish in rough water. Fast-flowing water can easily move the net’s metal rim a few inches from one side to another, making simple landings much more difficult.

I find that any fish 12 inches or larger is outside the metal strip’s weight capacity. That’s not to say that I think the metal strip will break.

The biggest fish I netted with the Handy Pak net was a 17-inch rainbow trout. I landed the fish successfully. I had to use both hands to hold the net with the fish inside, though.

Issues

I encountered one notable issue with the Handy Pak net that also stems from the net’s metal rim strip. Folding and unfolding the net creates friction between the rubber and metal. The metal rim isn’t sharp, but it is thin enough to cut through the rubber net.

There are two holes in my rubber net and several more forming. They don’t impact the net’s functionality yet, but I will have to replace the rubber net in the future.

I may wrap the metal strip with another material before attaching a replacement net. I wish the issue had been remedied during the manufacturing process, though.

Final Thoughts

The issues I have with the Handy Pak net seem inherent in the design of a collapsible net. But my issues with the net wouldn’t stop me from recommending it to someone who needs a packable net.

I do think you should look elsewhere if you typically need to land fish larger than 12 inches, though. And the packability may not be worth it if you’re also counting grams and want the lightest possible fishing setup. You may be better off going without a net altogether at that point.

Overall, I really like the packability and functionality of the Handy Pak net. I don’t think there is a better option for a bikefishing net. And I don’t think I would bikefish with any other net.