Cast Nets

[HANG ON]

A question ? If you were to buy a cast net,which one would you buy?

Never thrown a cast net before.
Is a more expensive easier to throw?
What size and weights?
What size mesh?
To be used for menhaden, bunker, pogies.

PS Thank You in advance for your thoughts

[gottaflylee]

Try this, has a lot of usefull info...

Betts/Calusa/West Coast......

[Cracker]

If you know someone that KNOWS how to throw a net be sure and go to them for help (very important). I have found that nets that are cheap are not worth purchasing. I use Betts nets and they have always opened well for me. What type of bait are you trying to catch? I use 5/8 inch 8 foot Betts pogie net for getting bait most of the time. 3/8 net or smaller would be the choice for shrimp. Also remember the bigger the net the more effort and energy it takes to throw it. My 8 footer I can throw about 8 to 10 times before my shoulder and back start to reject the idea. The 10 footer I have I can throw about 4 times to get to the same point. You have to be able to throw and open a big net 90 to 95 percent of the time or you are spinning your props..Good Luck

[92 feet down]

Check out this site:

http://www.castnets.com/home.php

My only advice: "Patience is a virtue."

[FishDancer]

Casting a net is not difficult, and like most angling tasks, just takes time and practice. The type of net you choose is dependant upon the type of bait you are seeking to get. I use a Calusa net exclusively, 8' 3/8" mesh for small baits, 10' 1/2' mesh for medium baits and a 12' 3/4" mesh for large baits. You throw them all the same...learn on the small net first.

[livetofishnj]

I gotta say that while the Calusa and Betts nets are great and a good value, check out Charlie K at eastcoastnets.com or if you've ever heard of Percy Wentworth of Staten Island, I can dig up his number, just PM me. Charlie learned from Percy and both make excellent nets designed for bunker and used by the pros all over Raritan Bay including many of the guys out there throwing to supply the shops. The nets are strong, hand made and include a few time developed secrets that really make for a great net. And either one will make sure you can throw the net before they let you leave from picking it up. They run slightly higher but trust me they are worth it. I have a percy net and charlie is a good friend who I fish with. My friends and I go through more bunker than the reduction fleet when it comes time for chunking and we get it all with the nets that these guys make, no struggling to make bait, it's one throw and go with 100-plus bunker squirming on the deck....

I seriously can't say enough about these guys and thier nets, bunker, peanuts, mullet, they build nets to spec to catch them all and they just plain outperform the other quality mass-produced nets. It's worth looking into.

[livetofishnj]

Also, Charlie has his throwing method on his site, it's similar to the calusa method but revised slightly to help with throwing the heavy nets like what you'd use for bunker. Patience is key and you should try different methods until you find something that works for you and your net then practice it on dry grass until you are pretty capable. Trying to learn on the water when the adrenaline is flowing and the bunker are popping in front of you is rough, and usually ends up with tangled messes or catching one pogie per throw....lol

[Capt_John]

Try this, has a lot of usefull info...

Betts/Calusa/West Coast......

Follow this thread closely and you'll have no problems with the big nets.

[charliek]

A question ? If you were to buy a cast net,which one would you buy?

Never thrown a cast net before.
Is a more expensive easier to throw?
What size and weights?
What size mesh?
To be used for menhaden, bunker, pogies.

PS Thank You in advance for your thoughts

That depends on what size the bait is Peanut or Adult ,how deep the water is and how big your boat is .
I can be reach @ charliek@aol.com check out my web @ www.eastcoastnets.com it will help get you started
Best of Luck and a full net

[flyingconnie]

I like EGo cast nets made by adventure produces. They're priced reasonably, they throw great, and they sink fast with over 1 1/4 per foot. The only draw back it mesh size only goes to 1/2 inch. For begginers I reccommend watching the calusa video and a 8' net.
Cpt. Mike
www.flyingconnie.com