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Post by mwardncsu on Jan 2, 2014 9:48:08 GMT -5
I also have a 3/4" that I've been using this fall - it does seem to sink quicker than my 5/8" of the same weight/foot. I'll only catch big gizzards - 8"+ with it - an occasional larger juvenile shad - maybe up to 5-6" though they usually get gilled. Keep in mind a 3/4" mesh mesh next has a stretch of 1.5", so a bait that is not quite 1.5" tall can and will squeeze through. The science makes sense of the webbing to keep the net open longer - but in practice, it just seems the big shad are too fast and will swim away 1st - now, it I can see where it may work OK on smaller bait that is schooled up really thick..... That said, I've not tried a net with mesh to say for certain. As to the 12' net - if your shoulders can hold up to throwing it over and over it will certainly increase your changes - just keep in mind that you need at least 1.5 lb/ft so you're talking about a net that has 18 lbs of weight plus the net plus all the water it will be holding/absorbing after a few throws..... A 12' net is no good if you can only stand to throw it once or twice - unless you really make those one or two tosses count  |
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Post by Live Bait JunkEE on Jan 2, 2014 10:22:13 GMT -5
the 3/4 inch net is perfect for the Giz that are 5 inches and bigger -- you will gill all the small ones if they make it up, they usually don't -- you really only use 3/4 for big shad and that is what you are targeting they key is the 1 1/2 lbs of weight not 1lb.. small bait down deep is usually balled up real nice and the 10 5/8 1 1/2 lbs would be good for the deep ones -- I would stay away from the 12 foot just no need as MWARD says --
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leeb
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Post by leeb on Jan 2, 2014 14:38:40 GMT -5
I have an 11 ft and my next net will be a 10ft. I can get a few good throws then you it gets hard to make pancakes. Maybe I am just getting old. I really need to just make a net cannon like the ones the game department uses to capture turkeys.
Hey who has a gopro with a waterproof case? I would like to add a float to it and throw it in the water and then throw the net over over it and let it sink and pull it up.
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Post by Pete D. on Jan 2, 2014 14:44:07 GMT -5
WHat do you think, since I have an 8' net should I just spring for the 12' cast net? Go big or go home right? A 12 can be a *bleep* to throw. But if you're only throwing it a few times, it's ok. I'd start with a 10 if you've never thrown one larger than an 8. I was throwing my buddies 10' net this past weekend. It was a breeze really. But I havent thrown a 12'er. Maybe I should take your advice  Just hard to visualize what I could do with a 10' that I cant do with an 8. |
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Post by Pete D. on Jan 2, 2014 15:03:19 GMT -5
Ward, if I wanted 4-6 inch threadfins do you think the 1/2" 10'er or 5/8"?
Leeb,I am a short guy, 5'6", so trust me getting that net over the edge can be a challenge. Throwing a 12'er over the edge will def. be quite the challenge. Especially when I am watching the sonar, and guiding my boat around with the foot pedal all at the same time.
I guess the big question is this. Is it worth stepping up to a 10' net from an 8'? Am I really going to tell that big of a difference? If you guys say yes, I have $200 right now for a 10' cracker. I have the 8' cracker, it tosses beautifully, is soft and pliable, and I have gotten hung up on the bottom and she came right up without one hole in her!
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leeb
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Post by leeb on Jan 2, 2014 15:06:11 GMT -5
Cast net facts.
Comparing coverage of cast nets in square feet.
6ft = 113.04 sq ft
7ft = 153.86 sq ft
8ft = 200.96 sq ft
9ft = 254.34 sq ft
10ft = 314.00 sq ft
12ft = 452.16 sq ft
A 12ft net is over twice the size as a 8ft net!
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leeb
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Post by leeb on Jan 2, 2014 15:13:32 GMT -5
Ward, if I wanted 4-6 inch threadfins do you think the 1/2" 10'er or 5/8"? Leeb,I am a short guy, 5'6", so trust me getting that net over the edge can be a challenge. Throwing a 12'er over the edge will def. be quite the challenge. Especially when I am watching the sonar, and guiding my boat around with the foot pedal all at the same time. I guess the big question is this. Is it worth stepping up to a 10' net from an 8'? Am I really going to tell that big of a difference? If you guys say yes, I have $200 right now for a 10' cracker. I have the 8' cracker, it tosses beautifully, is soft and pliable, and I have gotten hung up on the bottom and she came right up without one hole in her! The 10ft net is 1/3 larger than the 8ft so YES you will notice a difference. And buy a good quality net. My last net I bought was cheep and I absolutly despise the thing. I have to tie the main mono lines back all the time and it likes to tangle on itself. It is basically a two man net; 1 man to throw and retrieve and 1 man to untangle the weights when you let it back out. I will not cheap out on my next net. |
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Post by Pete D. on Jan 2, 2014 15:50:22 GMT -5
The 10ft net is 1/3 larger than the 8ft so YES you will notice a difference. And buy a good quality net. My last net I bought was cheep and I absolutly despise the thing. I have to tie the main mono lines back all the time and it likes to tangle on itself. It is basically a two man net; 1 man to throw and retrieve and 1 man to untangle the weights when you let it back out. I will not cheap out on my next net. Gotcha. What net do you throw? I really like the Cracker. I have thrown a few different brand nets and for me I like to keep it a mix between true quality, and not wanting to cry if you get the net permanently hung up on the bottom. So for me, the Cracker fell right in that range. Great 6 panel net, really pliable, 1.5lbs. PRF, strong, and spreads nicely. Just cant beat it in my opinion. |
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BentRod
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Post by BentRod on Jan 2, 2014 17:22:41 GMT -5
A 10 is a huge difference from an 8fter but you gotta be able to open it up..if not then its not much difference.
I have a 10ft West Coast 3/4" net that I love. It's heavy as a mother but it nets deep bait great. I love Crackers too. I also like Baitbuster or Joyfish nets by Lee Fisher. Those are only three I can recommend.
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leeb
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Post by leeb on Jan 2, 2014 17:32:24 GMT -5
I have 4 nets. My first net I ever bought was a 6ft 3/8" Betts net Blue in color and is awesom in shallow water or under a light. This net is over 10 years old and just got its first tear  . It also pulled up many limbs over the years without a tear. My 11 or 12ft net is a Joy net it was cheap and I learned enough to go down to a 10ft when I buy its replacement. I also have 2 very small nets. That was so Barret could copy me when he was little. He basicaly took over the 6ft net now and is getting big enough that guess who will be learning to throw a 10ft net this year and saving his dads shoulders. |
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Post by Live Bait JunkEE on Jan 2, 2014 17:53:03 GMT -5
If all you want in small bait in 20 foot or less and 8 foot 3/8 will do with 1 lb -- if you want to dig deep for the bigger gizz than the 10foot 3/4 with 1 1/2 lb will do everything you need -- if you are in less than 15 foot for the big giz you can use the 10 5/8 with 1 lb per and it can get the job done -- as bent rod said if you can not open the ten you might as well stay with the eight and save you shoulders. A little practice is all it takes, well maybe a lot of practice. As far as name brands everyone has their own personal favorites --
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Post by Pete D. on Jan 2, 2014 20:01:30 GMT -5
A 10 is a huge difference from an 8fter but you gotta be able to open it up..if not then its not much difference. I have a 10ft West Coast 3/4" net that I love. It's heavy as a mother but it nets deep bait great. I love Crackers too. I also like Baitbuster or Joyfish nets by Lee Fisher. Those are only three I can recommend. Gotcha. I started on a 6', then 8', so it shouldnt be hard to move up to the 10'er. I like the 6' net for under bridges where there is debris. It still catches fish, and if I tear it $40 will find me a new one. My 11 or 12ft net is a Joy net it was cheap and I learned enough to go down to a 10ft when I buy its replacement. This statement will help me lean towards a 10' net rather than a 12'. If all you want in small bait in 20 foot or less and 8 foot 3/8 will do with 1 lb -- if you want to dig deep for the bigger gizz than the 10foot 3/4 with 1 1/2 lb will do everything you need -- if you are in less than 15 foot for the big giz you can use the 10 5/8 with 1 lb per and it can get the job done -- as bent rod said if you can not open the ten you might as well stay with the eight and save you shoulders. A little practice is all it takes, well maybe a lot of practice. As far as name brands everyone has their own personal favorites. Cool. Well its not that all I want is small bait in 20', its just that some days I cant seem to spot bait that shallow! From all of this,I guess I can use the 8' for 20ft or less, but I will strongly consider getting a 10' 1/2" to 3/4" with 1.5lbs for deeper water and bigger bait. I found a 10ft. Cracker 1.5 pounds PRF and whatever mesh I want for $169.00 shipped. You just cant beat that!! Thanks for all of your help guys, and if anyone has anything else to add, I welcome it!! P.S. This is all I have been catching under bridge pilings the past few weeks.....  |
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Post by mwardncsu on Jan 2, 2014 20:06:29 GMT -5
Looks like you need to get some jigs and minnows and a light tackle rod Seems like all the creeks are full of bait now - of course finding the big bait vs. small bait is something you have to watch your sonar for or just pick though..... I thought I was throwing on some big bait marks yesterday and came up with a net full of nice slabs too |
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Post by Pete D. on Jan 2, 2014 20:17:20 GMT -5
Looks like you need to get some jigs and minnows and a light tackle rod Seems like all the creeks are full of bait now - of course finding the big bait vs. small bait is something you have to watch your sonar for or just pick though..... I thought I was throwing on some big bait marks yesterday and came up with a net full of nice slabs too The cool thing about it is that I love the experience. Honestly I love hunting and catching bait almost as much as hookin up. We were under a bridge and there were some guys a few pilings over from us, and I told them that there was plenty of fish right under them. They said it must be shad because they hadnt had a bite. They told me to throw, and they were mad when they found out what they were. They couldnt believe how many fish were down there and they still hadnt gotten a bite. By the way, I am a Lake Anna fisherman. Things are a bit different down my way, but this is the best freshwater striper forum that I have ever come across. What depth have you been marking Threadfins on SML Ward? |
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Post by mwardncsu on Jan 2, 2014 21:24:13 GMT -5
sutor623 - we don't have (many) threadfins on SML at the moment..... some say its a good thing as they take part of the blame for our fish kill - they had taken over the bait population and a severe winter killed off most of them and then the stripers starved.... sorry - I digress....
Right now we're marking most of the bait in the 20-30 range, sometimes deeper - on a warm, sunny day some of those pods are coming up to the 10-15' range......
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Just hard to visualize what I could do with a 10' that I cant do with an 8.
. It also pulled up many limbs over the years without a tear.