I dont seem to have one of these catchers, not sure how to get one.  

Climbing gear is a craftable item. You will need to add the Climbing Gear crafting recipe to your Craft and Construction area, and collect the materials needed in order to craft it. Otherwise, you can keep an eye out for it in Item Trades. Once you own the item, two new areas in the mountaintops become available for you to place catchers of any type.

Edit: The Boat item works the same way, except that it lets you access the distant island.

thanks mosaic...probably why I'm not catching the right pets :/