A bow-mounted pushnet designed to sample near-surface young-of-the-year pelagic fishes had a significantly higher catch rate than a stern trawl previously used. The ratio of catches (numbers of fish) for simultaneous sampling with the pushnet and two identical trawls was 23:3:1. Both gear sampled the same population with respect to fish length. The pushnet requires a crew of only two, can be operated in shoal water, and multiple net installation is possible. The outboard vessel-pushnet unit is highly mobile because the frame is readily raised for cruising and swung aft, but not detached, for trailering.