Lake Cumberland Shad HELP

[aps71285]

Ive been trying to catch alewives very unsuccessfully. My question is when if i were to drop lights to 60 ft or so near the dam and get them to come in what kind of cast net ( mesh size and weight) do i need to catch them? Or any tip on helping me find and catch them would be helpful. Mainly need to know what net would be best.I can throw a large cast net pretty well

[boskeet]

I would recommend getting the biggest (legal) net that you feel comfortable throwing. When you're trying to catch shad at 50ft plus, you need a big net because it's going to shrink in diameter as it sinks.

As the overall net sizes go up, typically so do the mesh sizes. I'd get the smallest mesh size offered when buying a large net. I couldn't tell you what mesh size I have without looking but I want to say 1/4 inch. Smaller mesh will eliminate some of the threadfins getting stuck in the net at the surface.

[aps71285]

I thought a bigger mesh would be better so itd sink faster. Ive been using 10 ft 3/8 mesh

[stripernut1]

youre using the right "size" net....but there is a definite science to catching alewives right now

[waterdog101]

youre using the right "size" net....but there is a definite science to catching alewives right now

tell the guy your take on catching them right now, and we may all learn something.

[stripernut1]

tell the guy your take on catching them right now, and we may all learn something.

i already told him....