Cast net for deep shad.

[getlinewet]

I bought the same weights for my net on ebay. Added slightly less than 2 lbs to the net, but boy did it make a world of difference. Now the little buggers don't get away.

[piper]

Jan 14, 2014 3:37:17 GMT -5 getlinewet said:

I bought the same weights for my net on ebay. Added slightly less than 2 lbs to the net, but boy did it make a world of difference. Now the little buggers don't get away.

Awsome. .ive been to lazy to add mine. Home sick for the day..maybe now is the time.

[Pete D.]

Well the problem that exists with the deeper throws is that the sonar cone gets wider as it gets deeper. This means that wht shows up on the screen doesn't necessarily mean that it is under the boat.

The nets that I but are all 1.5lbs per radius foot. Can't really see a reason to add weight to that. My issue is that the mesh size is 3/8". I think that is a big limiting factor. Even with all that weight the net sinks so sloooowwwwwllllyyyyyy

[getlinewet]

Sutor:

All I can tell you is for a $16 outlay, the sink rate had to be upped significantly based on the results.

Here's the ebay link: www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=cast+net+weights

I had a hard time finding those Lee Fisher weights except on ebay.

Here's the seller's pitch : "IS YOUR NET NOT SINKING FAST ENOUGH?... THIS WILL HELP YOU OUT...
ADD MORE WEIGHT TO YOUR NET WITH JUST A PAIR OF PLIERS...CRIMP THESE ON YOUR LEAD LINE AND THIS WILL HELP IT SINK FASTER. A FASTER SINKING NET = MORE BAIT FOR YOUR LIVE WELL."

[piper]

that was going to be my next question Linewet but you answered part of it . what size are you throwing and what spacing did you use on the lead line ?

[getlinewet]

Piper:

I'm embarrassed to say that I'm throwing a 5 foot "super spreader castnet with accu-throw ring". The net is 3/8" square mesh and came with 1 lb of weight per radius foot. I seem to recall the $16 purchase on ebay netted me about 30 weights, and I spaced them 1 per every 3 existing weights which were originally on the net.

I'm a newbie here at SML so I bought a beginner net with a help ring. If I would have known better, I would have gotten a larger radius net without the handring.

And I am not using it to catch gizzards....mostly alewives with an occasional gizzard captured in the bunch. I must say the crappy net with the added weights does work well for me with alewives. I've gotten so I can catch just about all I need and then some. I would say the 2 lb of added weights improved the nets performance tenfold at a minimum (either that or my throwing performed enormously just after I installed the weights...highly unlikely).

[piper]

don't be embarrassed especially if you're getting the results that you want. I'm currently throwing an 8 foot net that I'm still only about 70 75 percent consistent with. My only concern with adding more weight to this net is the actual overall weight after the net gets wet. After several tosses I already feel it in my shoulders I cant imagine adding another 2 pounds

[Pete D.]

Each net has its purpose. If all you have is one net, then throwing for shallow bait in the summer will be a pain with the added weights. I am a strong proponent of leave the net be and get another one to support your current needs. I have read too much about people who ruin their nets with tape, weights and all that.

That being said, if you have a 5-6' net that wasn't too expensive, then hey if you can add $16 worth of lead to it and catch bait more power to ya. As I said earlier, I have a 1.5 lb per ft net so for me it is a mesh and net size issue. Adding weight to this net would make it sink faster, harder to spread, and close up quicker in the water column.

[Pete D.]

Buttttt it will be and has been a great spring/fall net because it doesn't gill bait and is super easy to throw. So ill be pullin her back out in a few months!

[Pete D.]

So I finally have come to a decision on the first (of two) nets that I plan on purchasing. I called Tim Wade and told him where I was trying to catch bait, how deep, what kind and size bait I wanted, and so on. He is totally custom, and let me pick the weight of the mesh, size of the mesh, weight of the braille lines, horn style, and lead weight.

I told him that I want to catch large (6-9" threadfins) and medium to large gizzards, in 30-40ft. of water. He is making me a 10' net, 1.5lbs. per radius ft, 120lb.test braille lines, with 1/2" mesh. But he is using a little finer mono for the mesh, and said that it will fall like a 5/8" mesh net with the regular size mono, and be just as strong as the 5/8" mesh. Basically it will be fast sinking and be able to target threadfins and big gizzards in 30ft. of water.

He told me it will take 2-3 weeks to get to me, and came to a mere $160.00 before tax and shipping. Total shipped to VA came to $189.00. You just can't beat that, especially since most people online like these nets better than the more expensive nets like Calusa and Black Pearl. I guess I'll let you guys know how she throws here soon!

[piper]

Thanks for sharing Tim Wades name..he looks legit.Ill have to give him a shot when I Upgrade to a 10 footer.

[Pete D.]

So guys as a finale, I ended up getting my Wade net last week. Construction is superb. Throws beautifully. On the sonar it looked like the net was still opened up nicely at around 25-30 ft. By 45ft the net had completely closed up. Caught a fair amount of 7-9" threadfin up at Anna with it. Turns out that this is a great net geared right towards my needs. I will definitely be getting my next net from Tim.