What little I've read of cast nets on this site hasn't been too positive. But I'm thinking about trying one anyway since I generally find myself at the river with my son who's not big enough yet to help with my seine. I don't have too much trouble finding madtoms, sculpins, and darters with my dipnets. It's the minnows I have trouble catching. So... I'm leaning towards a 4 or 5 foot with 3/16" mesh size. There don't seem to be too many of these available and they tend to be a little more costly, but 1/4" or 3/8" just seems too big. What do you think?
Mark
cast net recommendations
Started by
Guest_deepsky_*
, Dec 18 2007 06:01 PM
7 replies to this topic
#3
Guest_hmt321_*
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Posted 18 December 2007 - 08:58 PM
3/16" will "gill" most shiners, and minnows and do big time damage. Cast nets are great if you have walked the bottom of a sandy area and you know there are no obstructions to hang the net. I think the application for fresh water collecting is minimal at best.
you may try a shiner scoop, its a 2' - 3' diameter circle with a net bag attached, it works especially well when pulled threw vegetation.
you may try a shiner scoop, its a 2' - 3' diameter circle with a net bag attached, it works especially well when pulled threw vegetation.
#4
Guest_Mysteryman_*
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Posted 19 December 2007 - 01:11 PM
I'm a pretty good netcaster, and I like them. They can be a real pain when you snag something, yes, but they're otherwise very productive. I can never find anything under 3/8ths inch, but if you can find anything smaller then you're golden. By the way, where DO you find anything smaller?
Oh.. a word of advice... don't ever try to catch an alligator gar with one (especially with the cord wrapped around your wrist..)
Oh.. a word of advice... don't ever try to catch an alligator gar with one (especially with the cord wrapped around your wrist..)
#5
Guest_deepsky_*
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Posted 19 December 2007 - 01:51 PM
I found the best deal here.
http://www.catchnbai...ec-castnets.htm
Scroll about halfway down the page to the Pro Series nets.
If you google "3/16 cast net" or "glass minnow net" you'll get a lot of hits.
My dip nets are home made using a mesh size of 3/16" because thats the size of the material I had to work with. I've had very little trouble with "gilling" but then again I don't come across too many minnows in my nets. My methods/locations have been aimed at benthic species. I'm dissapointed to hear that,
"3/16" will "gill" most shiners, and minnows and do big time damage."
Has this been the experience of most of you that have worked with 3/16" nets? It seems few have used 3/16" cast nets but I would think "gilling" would also be a problem with 3/16" dip nets or seines.
Mark
http://www.catchnbai...ec-castnets.htm
Scroll about halfway down the page to the Pro Series nets.
If you google "3/16 cast net" or "glass minnow net" you'll get a lot of hits.
My dip nets are home made using a mesh size of 3/16" because thats the size of the material I had to work with. I've had very little trouble with "gilling" but then again I don't come across too many minnows in my nets. My methods/locations have been aimed at benthic species. I'm dissapointed to hear that,
"3/16" will "gill" most shiners, and minnows and do big time damage."
Has this been the experience of most of you that have worked with 3/16" nets? It seems few have used 3/16" cast nets but I would think "gilling" would also be a problem with 3/16" dip nets or seines.
Mark
#6
Guest_Irate Mormon_*
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Posted 19 December 2007 - 04:45 PM
Has this been the experience of most of you that have worked with 3/16" nets? It seems few have used 3/16" cast nets but I would think "gilling" would also be a problem with 3/16" dip nets or seines.
That's what I would think as well, but I can't speak from experience. I don't have gilling problems with my 1/4" dipnet.
#8
Guest_hmt321_*
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Posted 20 December 2007 - 09:03 AM
I was thinking 3/8", i have a 3/8" mono cast net, and i would say that it will kill almost anything under about 3".
even with a very small net (like 4') unless you had a flat sand bottom, i think that its effectiveness would be minimal.
I would be interested in seeing a 3/16" nylon cast net, all the ones i have ever seen are 1/4" to 3/8" mono, which are hard on the fish.
even with a very small net (like 4') unless you had a flat sand bottom, i think that its effectiveness would be minimal.
I would be interested in seeing a 3/16" nylon cast net, all the ones i have ever seen are 1/4" to 3/8" mono, which are hard on the fish.
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