Cast nets

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Cast nets

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Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 12 12:08 pm Post subject: Cast nets

I'm considering buying a cast net, for sea fishing use, to catch bait and maybe something more.

I don't suppose anyone has tried them or know anyone who has? I gather they take practice to use which is fine, and it seems some people frown on their use so I'll take care when using but is there anything else I should be aware of?

Also does anyone know of any regulations about using them? All I can find out is you need EA permission on freshwater but there doesn't seem to be any rules for private sea fishing, i.e. not catching stuff for sale.

Northern Boy

Joined: 04 Oct 2010
Posts: 976

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 12 12:45 pm Post subject:

I used them a lot in California for catching bait and herring. Well, trying to catch herring anyway.

They're not that tricky to use, just takes a bit of practice. I am not very co-ordinated so if I can do it anyone can!

Best tip would be to buy a smallish one to start and also to ensure that you have quite a fine mesh size to avoid gilling any larger fish.

I don't know of any regulations concerning their use.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 12 8:47 pm Post subject:

Northern Boy wrote:

Best tip would be to buy a smallish one to start and also to ensure that you have quite a fine mesh size to avoid gilling any larger fish.

Thanks for the reply. I've watched a couple of videos and I should be able to use them (although I'm sure one of the videos over complicated things!).

What you say about the fine mesh makes sense, I had thought a larger mesh would be better but hadn't though about harming large fish. At least with a cast net you can release anything you don't want as bait or to eat.

The one I'm looking at is 5' (10' diameter) with a 1cm fine mesh.

Northern Boy

Joined: 04 Oct 2010
Posts: 976

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 12 10:22 pm Post subject:
I think they're great, fun to use and facilitate catch-and-release without the hooking part. I didn't think I'd get much of chance to use them over here so I gave them away before I left. Regretting it now, especially after the runs of sprats on local beaches.

Kenworth

Joined: 04 Apr 2011
Posts: 855
Location: Michigan

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 12 2:48 am Post subject:
Be careful to remove all jewelery before casting. It's amazing what can get caught in the net. DH lost his watch. Make sure you are not tempted to use your mouth as an extra appendage for holding the net. One can get teeth pulled out from a toss. Are you planning on going where there is little debris on the sea floor? The nets tend to snag easily. Best of luck, it takes a lot of practice.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 12 8:33 am Post subject:

Kenworth wrote:

Make sure you are not tempted to use your mouth as an extra appendage for holding the net. One can get teeth pulled out from a toss.

Funny you should mention that, in one of the videos I watched they did just that - hold one bit of the net in their teeth. I concluded I didn't fancy doing that but they did show a way of using your shoulder rather than teeth that looked more sensible.

I don't wear any jewellery, so no problems there. I also plan to only use it on the clean sandy beaches I frequent, so again no problems there.

The only downside I've found is the chance (very, very slim chance for me!) of catching too many fish, e.g. casting over a mackerel shoal.

Northern Boy

Joined: 04 Oct 2010
Posts: 976

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 12 7:49 pm Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

Kenworth wrote:

Make sure you are not tempted to use your mouth as an extra appendage for holding the net. One can get teeth pulled out from a toss.

You can dump it out really quickly.

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