[Billy40]

I'll try and post something serious related to fishing...for a change.

I need to get a castnet, but am not sure which one to buy. I'm looking to catch Spearing as well as Peanuts (mullet as well), and even Bunker if possible.

What type of material should the net be made out of, what mesh size should I get. I'm not looking to buy 4 nets for each species of bait - I rather buy one that'll work for everything.

Might as well ask for a site or something that shows me how to throw it - or I'll end up looking like a bride in a wedding dress.

 

[skatemaster]

From my very, very limited experience, every time you go up a foot in size, the net becomes exponentially harder to throw. So start with the smallest net.

Spearing? - too small, buy a seine

Peanuts? - The easiest thing in the world. They come in massive schools, swim close to the surface, and don't move very fast. Just large enough to net, you will still gill plenty with 3/8" mesh.

Adult bunker? - Good luck.

I'd look for one of those cast nets with a ring to help it open every time. Actually, that is what I am looking for to replace my Sports Authority special.

It is better to have a 4' net that opens most of the time than an 8' net that never opens.

Oh yeah, the net is wet and you will get soaked after throwing it a few times.

I practice by tying it to the railing at Sheepshead Bay and throwing it at schools of peanuts. It only feels weird/embarrassing for the first 20-30 minutes. You will need to splice in a longer rope to do this.

Calusa has a 20 minute video online for the bigger nets. Very different throwing style between nets that you have to double over to hold and smaller ones that you don't.

(This post edited by skatemaster on 02/07/2003)

 

[617250]

I went to an all day fishing seminar, a number of years ago, out in the middle of Long island. Capt. Al Lorenzetti was one of the speakers, and one of his sessions was on cast netting. He brought a couple of different sized nets, demonstrated and taught people how to use them. He seemed to be a real expert on cast nets. He's given seminars for Nor'east and the other weekly fishing rag. He seemed very nice, knowledgable, and more than willing to be helpful. He runs a charter service out of his home, in Babylon. He sells a 30 minute video "Cast Netting for Live Bait" from his website (www.skimmeroutdoors.com) --- lots of good articles and tips there, too. I always thought $25 for that video was a bit pricey, but if I was in the market for a cast net and needed to learn how to throw it, that price might be a relative matter. You might try e-mailing Al from his website, he'll probably be willing to give you a few recommendations on a general use cast net. Check your local library's state-wide online catalog for the video. If any library in the state has it, you can usually borrow it on the inter-library loan program.

 

[619545]

Call Capt. Vinnie of the Karen Ann,

He's got plenty-o-knowledge about casting nets, and he's got his own line of them also. Call him at 516-728-6852

 

[Leprechaun]

Billy - I was in Causeway a few weeks ago and Bobby was showing me a new type of castnet that he says is guaranteed to be throwable by anybody the first time out - plus it comes with a video tape and in diffrent sizes. Its packed in a plastic bucket and he had them up on his front counter - seemed to be selling too.

Please, nobody shell me, don't shoot the messenger - this is what I was told.

rgds, Leprechaun

(This post edited by Leprechaun on 02/07/2003)

 

[sam843]

!0 footer

Heavy weighting

Highest price you can afford

Make sure you know whats on the bottom before throwing

Wear skins

Get a good dentist

 

[Hunt n' Fish]

Everything you wanted to know about cast nets

Calusa video

The smaller the net the less effective it is and the shallower the water you have to be in. I have a 6 foot radius net and it is pretty useless for catching bait around the docks.

They work by making a splash ring in the water and scaring the bait into the middle to get caught. The smaller the ring the less bait you'll get into the middle. The deeper the water, the easier it is for them to get back out after the net lands in the water and while it is sinking.

Big net = mucho bait

 

[616787]

Chris, I did really good catching the peanut bunker at the dock with a 6 foot net, but you're right, the bigger net with the right user would put the smaller net to shame.

I guess it's a matter of what you're after. With a huge net, you could fill a wheelbarrow up with them...or a five gallon pail in 3 shots.

I found the key to be to wait until they are right at the surface, then throw it in the middle of them - and I'd get 25-50 at a time. If they were a foot below the surface, I'd get zero.

Funny, on one throw last year I pulled up about a dozen peanuts.....and four 8" to 10" stripers!