Best cast net advice.

[HURRICANEBOB]

I'm gonna get another net, about 8 foot 3/8 mesh. Want to be able to get gizzards, and those pesky Alewives. Want to be 1 to 1.5 pund per foot, And I want a net that is easy to keep nice and limp. Used to throwing nets, wondering what you all recommend. If it were up to you which brand would you buy?
a. Calusa?
b. Cracker?
c. Excalibre Black Pearl
d. Good old Betts Old Salt.
e. Betts Super Pro

By the way, I got a TYZAC Betts 8 foot cast net, 3/8 inch mesh, 3/4 lb per foot, only used twice, want to get rid of it, if ya want it call me at 270-735-7814. Free-bee (man it hurts to say that word!)

[aceoky]

Sorry no advice on the nets (I'm pretty new to cast nets) but I was told to keep them nice and limp to put about a tbs of fabric softener in a bucket of water and store the net in that will "do the trick".

[12VoltMan]

I've been wanting to try using a cast net to catch shimp and baitfish for my inshore saltwater fishing. What do you recommend for learning to throw one?

[kydonky]

I have a cast net purchased at bass pro shop. I bought one of those plastic trow dishes with it. its a round disc with a handle. you trow the dish with the net in it like a frisbie (but dont let go of the handle). It throws the net perfectly every time with just a little practice (<20 practice throws) Throw it in a school of shad and you come up with more than you can use in a week. I know this is cheating, but what can I say?

I've been wanting to try using a cast net to catch shimp and baitfish for my inshore saltwater fishing. What do you recommend for learning to throw one?

[DJD]

I've been wanting to try using a cast net to catch shimp and baitfish for my inshore saltwater fishing. What do you recommend for learning to throw one?

You Tube.

[aceoky]

Throw it in a school of shad and you come up with more than you can use in a week.

How long do you let it sink ?????

[tglass]

Ok i have several cast nets and have talked to plenty of guys about them. I would recommend the cracker net from calusa or i have a bait buster that is a little cheaper and i like it as well. I actually bought an 8' 1/2" mesh calusa net and i do not really like it. It opens great but the horn is 3" in diameter and sometimes when the net sinks and you pull it back up the big swivel gets caught in the horn and the net does not close. That is why i opt for the cracker. Another problem with the calusa is that the rope is too big. So if you want to get the net deep by tying another rope to it there is a lot of rope to hold on to. The fabric softner trick definetly works. I soak mine over night in a capful of downy and a bucket of water and rinse them well the next day and hang them to dry and they are softer than new. You can go to castnets.com and look at both nets i mentioned. They are what you are looking for. If you need any other help let me know.

Tom

[HURRICANEBOB]

I've been wanting to try using a cast net to catch shimp and baitfish for my inshore saltwater fishing. What do you recommend for learning to throw one?

Try this page, then click on part 3, this guy makes it easy to learn.
http://www.calusa.com/watchvideo.cfm?name=notrequired

[HURRICANEBOB]

How long do you let it sink ?????

Answer 1: till it gets to the end of the rope, or bottom.

Answer 2: for the Ohio River, they usually stay sunk for the rest of my live. Can't seem to throw one up there more than twice without it hooking up on a stray Nautilus Sub and being wisked away.

[aceoky]

Answer 1: till it gets to the end of the rope, or bottom.

Answer 2: for the Ohio River, they usually stay sunk for the rest of my live. Can't seem to throw one up there more than twice without it hooking up on a stray Nautilus Sub and being wisked away.

Thanks, guess I've been pulling it in too soon!

[JoeB]

The cracker is a great net. Calusa isn't worth the extra bucks for what you're using it for. Super pro is my next choice.

[kydonky]

Yep till the rope is all out. When you spot a school troll over to the spot. They will dive from the suface and you will not seen them when you are at the spot, but, they will still be there under the surface. Have your net ready and trow as soon as you can.

How long do you let it sink ?????