Cast Nets for bait

[whistler66]

I want to catch shad in the shallow water areas of the a major river area with a cast net. I plan to throw it off the deck of my boat 1) What size net would be the largest you would recommend. 2) any other things you would recommend like mesh size, weights etc. Bass Pro sell them and is the closest to me that I can pick one up any thoughts on this.

 

[Ripfence]

Re: Cast Nets for bait

If I were buying one I'd pick a mesh size based on the size of the bait I wanted to capture. Keep in mind that the larger the mesh size the faster the net will sink.

As for size, I'd base it on two factors, your height and your experience throwing a net. That said, I would say if you are of average height then a 6' or 6.5' net should be throwable.

Good luck.

 

[Ripfence]

Re: Cast Nets for bait

Just saw you are from KY, are you close to the Nashville area? If so I can let you borrow a bait net if you want. You could check it out and see if you wanted a net bigger or smaller.

 

[whistler66]

Re: Cast Nets for bait

I'm from the the N. Ky. area but Thanks for the generous offer!

 

[oklahomariverfisherman]

Re: Cast Nets for bait

I would start with one that has a 3' radius. It should just be labeled as 3' because that is how all the ones I have seen are measured. It will actually be 6 feet across. That is what I hve learned with and still use to this day. Large ones get pretty cumbersome. As for materials there are two types that I have seen. One is nylon and one is mono. The nylon soaks up some water, and getrs heavier. It can wear your arm out after awhile if you have to search for shad. The mono (like fishing line) will not soak in water and gain weight. They are much easier to tear however. If you have some rocks around, get the nylon, however, get too big of a rock and it will not matter.

 

[Nightfisher-]

Re: Cast Nets for bait

I can throw up to an 8', but I prefer a 5' on the boat, with extra weight added to help it sink even faster. I can throw it more efficiently and for a longer time, plus further away if need be and more precisely than i can a larger net. I cut one side of the weights on an old net with a hacksaw, then spread them open like a split shot to remove them. Then I use channel locks to add them between every third weight. I need to get a new 5 footer. My old one has been torn, repaired and restrung so many times i don't even want to mess with it anymore after breaking a braille line on a submerged stump a couple of months ago.

 

[milmat1]

Re: Cast Nets for bait

A Cast net is great for catching bait. I use one from a pier to catch shad.(And sometines small crappie...(...Shhhh.......)
Practice practice practice ! Never tried throwing it from the boat that might be a new challenge. I would get the smaller diameter Net to try that with..