On Cumberland for alwives use an 8 ft 3/8 in mesh net. If you can throw a 10 ft. that's fine. If you try a 1/2 in mesh you'll find that you "gill" lots of threadfins and it takes forever to clean out the net before you can throw again. If you're throwing in the creeks for gizzards, a 5/8 mesh net will sink faster and catch more bait.