I use the ego s2 slider with the 48x108 handle and started with the 23x27 net. then I talked to someone at egos2slider.com and got them to custom make me 2 nets that's 27x33 and that's what I use now. when we net a fish we retract the handle before lifting the fish in the boat. don't know if it would hurt anything by not retracting the handle. but I don't want 108' of handle coming in the boat. and its so easy to retract the handle, just push the button and close the handle. it is not hook proof but the net does have a coating that helps keep the hooks out. and it floats.