Choosing Your Net

A Guide to Hoop Shapes, Basket Depths, and Handle Lengths

Rising nets are built around a modular system. Two hoop shapes, three basket depths, and four handle lengths combine to create a net that fits your water, your fish, and the way you like to fish. This guide explains each option and helps you select the setup that gives you the best landing control and fish safety in real conditions.

Fishing environments are not one size fits all. Your net should not be either.

1. Hoop Shapes

Rising builds two hoop shapes that serve different styles of fishing. Both are aluminum, both are strong and balanced, and both accept any Rising handle length.

Brookie

  • Basket depth supported: 11 inch
  • Best for: Small streams, tight water, fish under roughly 18 inches, ultra light carry

The Brookie hoop is compact and precise. It excels where reach is limited, angles are tight, and the fish are smaller but fast. The smaller profile reduces drag and moves cleanly through shallow water. When control matters more than size, this is the hoop to choose.

Lunker

  • Basket depths supported: 11 inch, 16 inch, 22 inch
  • Best for: All around wading, big fish, medium to large rivers, boat fishing, deeper water

The Lunker hoop is the versatile workhorse. It has the volume and diameter needed to secure larger trout and the stability required for deeper net bags. Whether paired with a short handle for wading or a long handle for boat work, the Lunker hoop delivers reliable landing leverage.

2. Basket Depths

Basket depth controls how the fish settles in the net. All Rising bags are rubber and fully knotless to protect the slime coat and reduce abrasion.

11 inch Basket

Light, quick, ideal for small to medium fish. Available in Brookie and Lunker hoops.

16 inch Basket

Deeper cradle for larger fish and faster water. Perfect depth for boat fishing, trophy trout, and situations where fish need more room to settle. Requires a Lunker hoop.

22 inch Basket

Maximum depth for large migratory fish such as steelhead and salmon. Provides the room and stability required to secure long, powerful fish that often approach the net at high speed. Requires a Lunker hoop.

3. Handle Lengths

All Rising hoops attach to all Rising handles. Four lengths allow anglers to match the tool to their water type.

10 inch Handle

• Best for small creeks and technical wading
• One handed use
• Minimal weight for long hikes

16 inch Handle

• The most universal wading length
• Good reach without sacrificing control
• Ideal for Lunker 11 or 16 inch baskets

24 inch Handle

• Significant reach for deeper wading
• Shortens the final fight and improves fish recovery
• Strong choice for anglers who target big trout from shore

38 inch Handle

• Drift boat and raft fishing
• Maximum reach and landing leverage
• Ideal for Lunker 16 or 22 inch baskets

 

4. Comparison Table

Net Selection Table

Hoop Shape Basket Depth Best For Recommended Handle Lengths
Brookie 11 inch Small streams, tight spots, fish under 18 inches 10 inch, 16 inch
Lunker 11 inch Versatile wading, medium fish, general all water use 16 inch, 24 inch
Lunker 16 inch Larger trout, deeper runs, faster water 16 inch, 24 inch, 36 inch
Lunker 22 inch Steelhead, salmon, and other large migratory species 24 inch, 36 inch


5. Recommended Setups by Fishing Scenario

Small Creeks and Tight Water

All Around Wading

Big Trout on Foot

Boat Fishing

  • Boat Net
  • 16 inch basket
  • 36 inch handle

Large Migratory Fish

  • Boat Net
  • 22 inch basket
  • 36 inch handle

6. Why Rising Uses This System

A modular system gives anglers the ability to choose what fits them, not what fits a product line. Two hoops, three basket depths, and four handle lengths create a perfect match for almost any fish or water type. Every combination is built in the USA and designed to protect fish through durable construction, rubber netting, and excellent landing control.

Your net should reflect the water you fish and the fish you respect.