Exceptional sprat caught in nets (5)
I believe the answer is:
traps
'nets' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'exceptional sprat' is the wordplay.
'exceptional' indicates an anagram.
'sprat' anagrammed gives 'TRAPS'.
'caught in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for traps that I've seen before include "Devices to catch, animals say" , "Pony carts; ensnares" , "Catches" , "Ambushes" , "The pitfalls" .)