Cast net questions

[nailman_83]

I'm thinking about getting a new cast net with 1/4" mess and 1+ lbs per radius foot. Not sure what size though with the added weight. Was thinking 6-8'. I've always thrown the cheap 3/8" ones and the bait seems to either get out our get their heads stuck. So I have a few questions.

Do you think the 1/4" mess would make a difference with getting bait stuck?
Anyone use something like this on the local lakes?
What do you think is the best weight, length, etc.?

Also, general advice or thoughts are welcome.

Thanks in advance!

[TNBronzeback]

Ive got a 6' net...cheapy from Academy sports. The weight i think is the same, i dont remember off hand. Thus far ive not had an issue with escaping bait but ive always tried to net bigger baits like threadfins or gizzards.
Overall best advice if youve never thrown one before: watch different youtube videos, dont use your teeth, have the other end attched to something and keep a clear throwing path on your boat. Practice practice practice. I still throw some mean hooks if its been awhile since i last threw it. Lol.

[tkwalker]

Nailman, I used this ...
https://www.memphisnet.net/product/3614/nets-cast-mono-menhaden

It is a Menhaden net From Memphis Net and Twine, with a 5/8 inch mesh that spreads to 1 1/4 inch square. Note this one is a 10 foot Radius/20 foot diameter,, This is the largest that can be used in Tennessee unless this law has been changed ... Smaller nets can be purchased...

TNBB is correct .. Don't use your teeth or put it in your mouth .. I learned a method that is used in the Orient and Polynesia.. It is great wading and thrown from your shoulder... Now I can't cast anymore but I learned this from a pro in East Tennessee ... Actually at a Seminar and the Gentleman was from the Carolinas .. The method is gather and fold .. It can actually be tossed from between your legs with a great parachute envelope ... This net regardless of size is great for thread fin on up to Gizzard shad..

My advice is to start out with a smaller net .. But not to small ... I never could throw a small net .. I suggest a maybe a 6 ft. Radius/12 foot Dia. up to a 8 Ft./16 foot Dia. .. But the Key word here is like TNBB stated, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE !! .. Elevate your self like you were on the front deck of your boat, you will be surprised what 2 or 3 feet elevation makes.. Also spot you a towel or large ball as a target...

And when on the water Safety !! especially around down sides of Dams ... Always wear the PFD and have an attached (high around the chest area) sharp sheath knife that can be reached with either hand incase you need to cut yourself free ... Hope this helps ... <'TK>< :)

[nailman_83]

Nailman, I used this ...
https://www.memphisnet.net/product/3614/nets-cast-mono-menhaden

It is a Menhaden net From Memphis Net and Twine, with a 5/8 inch mesh that spreads to 1 1/4 inch square. Note this one is a 10 foot Radius/20 foot diameter,, This is the largest that can be used in Tennessee unless this law has been changed ... Smaller nets can be purchased...

TNBB is correct .. Don't use your teeth or put it in your mouth .. I learned a method that is used in the Orient and Polynesia.. It is great wading and thrown from your shoulder... Now I can't cast anymore but I learned this from a pro in East Tennessee ... Actually at a Seminar and the Gentleman was from the Carolinas .. The method is gather and fold .. It can actually be tossed from between your legs with a great parachute envelope ... This net regardless of size is great for thread fin on up to Gizzard shad..

My advice is to start out with a smaller net .. But not to small ... I never could throw a small net .. I suggest a maybe a 6 ft. Radius/12 foot Dia. up to a 8 Ft./16 foot Dia. .. But the Key word here is like TNBB stated, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE !! .. Elevate your self like you were on the front deck of your boat, you will be surprised what 2 or 3 feet elevation makes.. Also spot you a towel or large ball as a target...

And when on the water Safety !! especially around down sides of Dams ... Always wear the PFD and have an attached (high around the chest area) sharp sheath knife that can be reached with either hand incase you need to cut yourself free ... Hope this helps ... <'TK>< :)

Thanks for the info both of you. I can actually throw a small net pretty well. My main question was the mesh size. I'm not trying to catch large bait. Small shad on the lake, and finger mullet and shrimp at the beach are my main target. Whenever I catch these about half of their heads are stuck.

[Still_learning]

Nailman - I had the same problem with 3/8 mesh. I switched to 1/4 about a year ago, and I've not caught as many shad. I don't believe the net is falling fast enough due to the tighter mesh. I can actually see shad in the water at times, throw a good throw, and come up with nothing. However, if you can find a giant school of small shad near the top of the water, you will most likely get some of them, and they will not stick in the mesh like they do in the 3/8. Hope this helps. I'm actually trying to find some 1/2 mesh in-stock somewhere, but looks like I'm going to have to order on-line.

[tkwalker]

Nailman - I had the same problem with 3/8 mesh. I switched to 1/4 about a year ago, and I've not caught as many shad. I don't believe the net is falling fast enough due to the tighter mesh. I can actually see shad in the water at times, throw a good throw, and come up with nothing. However, if you can find a giant school of small shad near the top of the water, you will most likely get some of them, and they will not stick in the mesh like they do in the 3/8. Hope this helps. I'm actually trying to find some 1/2 mesh in-stock somewhere, but looks like I'm going to have to order on-line.

They also have larger ones ... https://www.memphisnet.net/product/3621/nets-cast-mono-bait

[gordonc615]

I know this sounds crazy but I another feature I look for when getting a cast net is if it has the rounded weights vs the oblong cylinders. I tend on having less snag and less resistance on the way down with the spheres.

[TNBronzeback]

I know this sounds crazy but I another feature I look for when getting a cast net is if it has the rounded weights vs the oblong cylinders. I tend on having less snag and less resistance on the way down with the spheres.
Never thought of that, makes sense though!
i dont net enough (but maybe i should from what it sounds like) to be too heavily knowledged in the subtlties of the art. I take it to melton hill every spring where ray charles could find and net shad. Lol...

[tkwalker]

I know this sounds crazy but I another feature I look for when getting a cast net is if it has the rounded weights vs the oblong cylinders. I tend on having less snag and less resistance on the way down with the spheres.

I don't think you need to be worried about the shape of the weights when you have yards of collapsible mesh netting that is going to grab every rock, stick, stump, rebar, and if lucky a bait fish or two ... <'TK>< :)

[Cornbread]

For what its worth the old salt nets from Betts are a little more expensive but they sink fast and are good quality, you can catch all the bait you want in the summer with a 6 or 7 footer. Fitec makes a ten that is really good and will cut your bait catching time in half if you invest the time practicing with it.
Isn't there a regulation also limiting the mesh to 3/8? Good Luck!

[tkwalker]

For what its worth the old salt nets from Betts are a little more expensive but they sink fast and are good quality, you can catch all the bait you want in the summer with a 6 or 7 footer. Fitec makes a ten that is really good and will cut your bait catching time in half if you invest the time practicing with it.
Isn't there a regulation also limiting the mesh to 3/8? Good Luck!

Reg 13-15. Cast Net- A cast net is defined as a net having a maximum radius of ten (1 0') feet and a mesh (square measure) of not less than one fourth (1/4") inch and not greater than one (1") inch on the square.

Note: The square dim. is in a static state and not a spread size ... Net I used had a Sq. of 5/8 inch to a spread of 1 1/4 inches ... Also Commercial nets have different Regs. when it comes Gill , Trammel nets, etc.

[Cornbread]

Good info!