Mid Water Trawls

Trawl Types and Fish species.

Although designated "Mid Water" all our range of these trawls can be, and are used as Semi-pelagic trawls as well.

"Stealth" Hexagonal mesh type trawl

Why Stealth?  Back in the mid 80's we started using a flat profile braided nylon rope for all our MW trawl range that proved to have excellent spreading characteristics, this we attribute to the profile it presents to the water as it is being towed. In fact identical trawls built from this rope have a better spreading and opening capacity than the same trawl built from a 3 stranded or traditional round nylon braid.

With a new trawl we designed in 1998 we decided, because of these characteristics to call it a Stealth trawl, also because of the amount of this rope used our manufacturer Van Beelen decided too, to call it Stealth rope, which is what it is sold as today: This trawl is a wide bodied, high opening Semi-Pelagic trawl.

It has large rope hexagonal  mesh configuration in the forepart that is suitable for a range of fast swimming fish.

Excellent on "Hoki", this trawl type over the years has shown to be an excellent catcher for many Mackerel type species.

The Stealth is a super efficient and extremely versatile Trawl that is suitable for Vessels from 500 HP (373 kw) to 5000 HP (3730 kw).

The Stealth range of Trawl provides high towing speeds, low drag, fuel savings, ease of handling and proven catch results.

Listed below is an overview of this range but it extends to many more in between those shown, again we can alter these trawls to suit the individual requirements of each customer. Likewise the HP/KW range is indicative only.

Diamond Mesh "Stealth" Trawl

Identical in circumference and height as the hexagonal mesh trawls shown in the box above, however, made in a full mesh configuration. While this increases the surface area of these trawls, we do this as using a full mesh MW is a better option for some fish species.

Nylon Mesh MW Trawls

Generally for smaller vessels and having an opening from 12m to 30m, these Nylon Mesh Trawls ( often referred to as a "Dutch Trawl" ) because the original larger versions of this trawl came out on our first deep sea trawler purchased in Ymuiden the Netherlands and called the "Rijmond V".

Since that time in the early 80's, we have developed our own smaller models of this type of trawl. What this smaller versions of trawl has allowed is enable smaller vessels to tow Semi-Pelagic Trawls. Something not done in many other countries and traditionally a type of fishery reserved for only larger Vessels. With this innovative design, a good percentage of New Zealand’s Hoki catch has been taken by these types of Trawls on smaller Vessels.

We get numerous international inquiries wanting these smaller types of MW trawl.

Smaller versions of this trawl (MNP12) are suitable for Vessels with as little as 150 -180HP (134kw), and the mid to larger range the MN P33 and MN P34, MN P47 & P55 can be used on Vessels between 450-2500HP (336-1866kw).