EGO S2 Slider Fishing Net Review 2026: Best Telescoping Landing Net for Kayak Anglers

2026-07-28

TL;DR: The EGO S2 Slider is the gold standard kayak landing net for solo anglers — a collapsible handle that extends to 36 inches, a fish-friendly rubber mesh basket, and a magnetic holster clip that keeps it out of the way until you need it most. If you're still reaching down to hand-land fish from your kayak, this net will change your day on the water.

Why Kayak Anglers Need a Quality Landing Net

Hand-landing fish from a kayak sounds simple until you're actually doing it. You're sitting low, the water is right there, and a thrashing bass or flopping redfish at the wrong moment can mean a lost fish, tangled tackle, or a destabilized boat. Reaching over the gunwale of a sit-on-top with one hand on the fish and one hand trying to hold your rod is a recipe for a swim.

A quality landing net solves all of that — but most nets designed for bank or boat fishing are too long, too bulky, and will snag every piece of gear you own. The EGO S2 Slider was built specifically for compact watercraft. It collapses to 24 inches for storage, extends to 36 inches for the scoop, floats if you drop it, and the rubberized Polycatch mesh won't tear up your fish's slime coat or catch every hook on your lure.

For catch-and-release anglers, that rubber mesh matters more than most people realize. Traditional knotted nylon is brutal on fish scales and the protective mucus coating that keeps fish healthy after release. EGO's Polycatch rubber is knotless, slime-preserving, and tangle-proof — your trebles come out clean and the fish swims back healthy.

Specs & Features

• Handle: Telescoping aluminum, 24" collapsed / 36" extended — single twist-lock extension
• Net basket: 18" x 18" opening, Polycatch knotless rubber mesh
• Weight: 1.2 lbs — light enough to clip on a PFD and forget until you need it
• Magnetic holster clip: included — attaches to the net handle; holsters to any ferrous metal surface or belt clip
• Float: The net floats if dropped overboard — a real feature, not marketing copy
• Collapsed length: 24" fits in most rod holders, flush-mount rod tube, or behind-seat rigging
• Material: Anodized aluminum telescoping shaft, rubberized grip

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

• Magnetic holster clip is a genuine game-changer for solo kayak anglers — holsters one-handed while you're still controlling the fish
• Polycatch rubber mesh is demonstrably better for catch-and-release; research on mucus coat preservation backs it up
• 36" extended reach is exactly right for a sit-on-top kayak — no awkward over-the-gunwale stretch
• Floats — dropped it in testing, recovered it without drama both times
• One of the lightest full-size kayak nets on the market at 1.2 lbs
• Handle is solid when locked — no flex or wobble on the scoop

❌ Cons

• Magnetic clip can accidentally grab other metallic gear on your kayak rigging — plan the mount location before you launch
• 36" reach is fine for bass, walleye, and most inshore fish; for very large fish (30"+ redfish, big stripers), you'll wish for more
• Rubber mesh holds a small amount of water and will drip after use — minor, but worth knowing
• Costs more than basic nylon nets; this is a deliberate premium buy

Bottom Line: Who Should Buy It?

The EGO S2 Slider is the right net for any kayak angler fishing for bass, walleye, pike, inshore redfish, flounder, or stripers from a sit-on-top or sit-in kayak. If you mostly fish for small panfish and don't care about release quality, a cheaper nylon net will do the job. But if you're targeting fish you'd want to photograph or measure, the rubber mesh and magnetic holster system make this the net that earns its price the first time you nail a solo landing you couldn't have managed without it.

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Need a complete anchor-and-position system to hold your spot while you work fish? Pair this net with an anchor trolley kit from Overton's for full 360° position control — one of the most effective setups for solo kayak fishing.