Cast nets
 

What size do you Striper guys use to catch your bait? I am currently using a 6 foot 3/8 mesh and I struggle in deeper water. I was thinking of getting a 8 ft 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch mesh. Any advice is appreciated .

The net you have will work fine in shallower water. I actually like a smaller net in shallow water because is easier to throw and I can reload and throw much faster.

Deep water is something else. For deep water, you can get a "Deep Hole" net. These nets have a webbing around the perimeters that keeps the nets open as they fall. Will go as deep as 50'. They also have longer lines on them for the deeper water. I use these nets to catch alewives at night under a Green Magnet Fishing Light.

I use a 6 footer also, but I don't bother with deep bait...just hit a cove somewhere. There are 2 things to remember...

1. Not all weights are created equal. The Bass Pro nets are crap! Light as a feather and don't sink nearly fast enough. Go as heavy as you can!

2. Don't forget your backup net. Trust me, you don't want your day to end when you get that thing caught in a tree on the first cast.