I would suggest one of those metal claw thingies that I sometimes see professional herpatologists use on TV, but those things cost a few pretty pennies.

However, I found a nifty little tool I have often used in my own snake capturing, and believe it or not, you can get it at your local mega-type department store for about $10. It's basically designed for lazy people who drop their TV remotes, but I have caught a few snakes with it. It's a bit flimsy, and the suction cups do tend to break off, but I fixed mine by filling the screw holes with crazy glue, and haven't had a problem since.