How to throw a Cast Net

[ajk]

[2 oars & a trash can]

I thought he was going to put a few more pieces in his mouth until he could barely talk at all.

[2 oars & a trash can]

I know I've asked this a bunch of times already, but what size cast net, radius, mesh, weight would anyone recommend?

I've been using a cheap 5' one forever and it really fell apart last night.
I throw off a dock all the time for now. Thinking maybe 8'.
Thanks.

[FishON]

Jul 22, 2012 12:14:06 GMT -5 2 oars & a trash can said:

I know I've asked this a bunch of times already, but what size cast net, radius, mesh, weight would anyone recommend?

I've been using a cheap 5' one forever and it really fell apart last night.
I throw off a dock all the time for now. Thinking maybe 8'.
Thanks.

I have two 8’ nets. One is a 8’ Cracker net 1.5lbs/ft with ½ mesh and my other net is an Old salt 8’ cheap net with a 3/8 mesh. If I am throwing at a light for alewives that is packed with bait I throw the 3/8 mesh net. If I am going for bait during daylight hours or I think there might not be a lot of bait under the light I throw the ½ mesh net. I use the small net (8:1) over the big net because it doesn't gill bait but, If I could only have one net I would go with the ½ mesh net because sometimes bigger is better.

[2 oars & a trash can]

Thanks

[Gotcha]

FishOn is right!
Have one 3/8 mesh for the light! 5-8'
Have one 1/2-3/4 mesh 8-12' if you can handle the 12' for the gizzards in the open water

I have a lee fisher mako 7' 3/8 &
West coast nets true spreader 8' 3/4

One all around net! 8' 1/2. Will gill alot but get you bait!!

[wishforfish]

I throw an 8' Cracker 3/8 net and have 2 of them (one is a backup and is becoming the go-to after many unpleasant encounters by the first one). I am going to buy a 10' for my next net but I pretty much only throw on lights. I do very little open water throwing and when I do I am usually throwing on stuff I can see, not from the sonar.

[Gotcha]

Two crackers will pay for mine an floats boats!!
I also in open water throw on what I can see as far as flipping. In the area of the flipping anyway, being im not going to get there in any amount of time!

[BentRod]

I've tried them all and I keep coming back to the Crackers. I've got several different sizes. The price has jumped up though to like $180 for a 10fter. Next net may be a JoyFish. They are at least somewhat reasonable in todays time and appear to be a solid net.

I throw my net anywhere and everywhere there's bait. I've learned quite a bit though about where to throw and where not to throw. Every once and awhile you get fooled though.

[wishforfish]

I throw my net anywhere and everywhere there's bait. I've learned quite a bit though about where to throw and where not to throw.

That right there says it all. I have my go to spots and know where I can or can't throw in them but still have a surprise stump or something get me once and awhile. I won't hesitate to throw anywhere I think there is bait but I have never been really successful on bait with my sonar in open water. In certain areas I have been fine (20 ft or less) in the open but not at 30-40 feet so I guess I stopped trying. I found out I could drink a beer or six with a steak and just throw at night before going to sleep. Much more pleasurable and a lot less effort...which is important at my age.

[Gotcha]

Lee fisher is the maker of the joy fish net! If its anything like my mako, the lead lines need to be secured to the swivel! Had two lines rubbed against the swivel and break. Might be different with the joy fish! (ya get what ya pay for I guess)

Got the mako on eBay 44$ for a 7' 3/8. The guy was shipping free, now he is charging shipping and I think it's 52-54$ (fishermans headquarters in FL.) he also sells the joy fish.
54$ may as well get a betts old salt but to me they are alot harder to throw than that mako

Alot of the nets from Walmart (or cheep nets) have the plastic covered weights. I tend to shy away from that as that is more friction on the water and slows the sinking! Plus when you hang it on a tree you can save the weights and use them fishing in a area with heavy hang ups, Or melt them down and mold new weights.

Gotta have that cheep net to find out where ya can and can't throw!!!!!!!