Cast Nets 101

[fishing4ducks]

Yam, how about starting with a net with about 1.3 pound per sq foot, then adding couple pounds of split shot to the mesh, tapering the weight all the way to the horn. So to keep its umbrella effect, but increase the sinking speed of the center and keep net from closing

[Brian]

Or no weights and make the thing from lead-core line Good luck getting it to open

[archenemy]

Yam you got it right. I have the wade 10' 3/4 mesh 1.5lbs per foot with the heavy mono option. In deep water my 10' 1/2 1.5lbs per foot with thinner mono catches more bait in deeper water. However the wade net is much more affective in shallow water and can land trees and big rocks no problem.

iMO the mono thickness makes most of the difference between my nets.

Sent from my XT1080 using proboards

[Deleted]

Feb 4, 2015 13:57:29 GMT -5 fishing4ducks said:

Yam, how about starting with a net with about 1.3 pound per sq foot, then adding couple pounds of split shot to the mesh, tapering the weight all the way to the horn. So to keep its umbrella effect, but increase the sinking speed of the center and keep net from closing

Now that sounds like a great idea! Or something like that. A fast sinking wide open net.

I was considering adding some weight to the horn. What if the horn is weighted so that it sinks as fast as the outside of the net for any given mesh and material? Is this feasible?

Would the net throw with split shot?

Hmmmmm.

[medicineman]

I saw a guy using a net with tape around the edge to slow the net down and keep it open longer. Any opinions on this ?

[Gator]

Mar 17, 2015 12:32:16 GMT -5 medicineman said:

I saw a guy using a net with tape around the edge to slow the net down and keep it open longer. Any opinions on this ?

It works!! Especially in deep water.

[primetime]

Ok, I am preparing for the fall and trying to determine a cast net to catch dollar bills. To catch these creatures during the fall they will be in the back of creeks. So... depending on the depth of the back of the creek this will determine the net I use, Is this correct? Forum members who go after the dollars in the back of creeks what size and brand of net do you use or would recommend? What is a brand of net for the middle of the road. Not the most expensive but not the cheapest either.

[Gator]

I like the Tim Wade nets. I have 3 Wade nets: 10'-3/4", 1.7lbs per ft, 10'-1" 1.7lbs per ft, 8'-1/2"1.5lbs per ft. I also have a Bunky Grant net and he died a few years back but it's a 11'-1" and its a beast. Also have 2 ,10' Fitec's that came with a 70% discount for Striper Club members. They (Fitec) are sufficient and only used for a back up. For the money you spend on a Wade net you can't go wrong. I have known Tim for a long time and he has been building custom nets for a long time. He wasn't always the best but he is one of the best now. Calusa/Cracker nets are good ones too.

To me, middle of the road don't cut it. I wan't something that is tough as nails and is a work horse. Tim Wade nets are both.

[primetime]

Gator, thanks for the info. Do you have a preference in the fall for dollar bills?

[Gator]

I like the 11 foot net. It covers a bunch of water but it will kick your butt after 30 or so throws. My shoulder has been cut on way too many times. If the bait is deep the 11 footer is the way to go. If it is shallow water I will throw a 10 foot 3/4" net.

Many others on here that can give you better advice.

[mwardncsu]

5/8" or 3/4" mesh is a good gizzard net. If you are throwing in less than 10', then a 1.25 lb/ft works fine - if deeper than 1.5 lb/ft to sink faster. Radius - well - the bigger the heavier and if gizzards are scattered you might be throwing many, many times - so keep that in mind - but the bigger the more likely to snag a few..... but also more likely to catch a tree

My go-to shallow water gizzard net is a Joyfish, 10', 5/8" net - its 1.25 lb/ft - has thick mono and is tough - but if in risky, unknown waters I'll pull out the Fitec - 10', 3/4", 1.5 lb/ft - not as strong but cheaper (given the 50% discount Fitec gives Smith Mountain Striper Club members). That is also my go-to net for gizzards in a bit deeper water.

[Deleted]

My goto for big gizz in shallow water is a 1 inch, 10 foot, 1.5 lb/ft Tim Wade with lighter mesh. Sinks like a rock.

For deeper gizz, a lighter net (1lb/ft) will stay open longer. Plus you really need to throw pancakes in deeper water. However, if the water is clear and warmer (late fall), the gizz might scatter from anything you offer. Thus, deep water (greater than 20 foot) can be really tough.

Best bet is to target shallow gizz. If they are flipping around in the back of a creek, you are in!

[primetime]

I think Im going to go with a 10 foot, 3/4" - 1 1/2" 13lb Tim Wade net. I am also going to buy weights to add on or take off. Ive never tried to catch gizzards so this is a learning experience. The past two months I have been catching ales at dock lights which has been pretty easy. I have been using a Ahi pro 10 foot net, not sure of the weight, which is the first net Ive learned how to throw. I trolled around yesterday scouting Indian Point in the back of creeks watching my downscan looking at the depth and what the bottom looked like. Does it sound like Im doing the right things to get ready for the fall?

[Deleted]

Aug 1, 2015 8:00:26 GMT -5 primetime said:

I think Im going to go with a 10 foot, 3/4" - 1 1/2" 13lb Tim Wade net. I am also going to buy weights to add on or take off. Ive never tried to catch gizzards so this is a learning experience. The past two months I have been catching ales at dock lights which has been pretty easy. I have been using a Ahi pro 10 foot net, not sure of the weight, which is the first net Ive learned how to throw. I trolled around yesterday scouting Indian Point in the back of creeks watching my downscan looking at the depth and what the bottom looked like. Does it sound like Im doing the right things to get ready for the fall?

Not sure what you mean by 13lb. Is that the test of the mesh?

To prepare, if I were you, I would attempt to catch some small shad. Use a three way screen with sonar, side scan and down scan. Practice your timing on small pods. If you see bigger flips on the surface, go for the big boys.

If you like to hunt, this can be more fun than catching stripers.

[primetime]

13 lb is how much weight will be on the net to make it sink.