Quick Cast net question.

[lutzfuji]

Stupid question , how are you guess using your cast nets? Do you let it sink to the bottom ? IF so how long of a rope would i need to hit bottom? I'm good throwing it just not sure if I wasn't getting the right depth , mine won't hit the bottom with the rope.

[hbn1234]

most of the time, i let it sink to the bottom...most of my nets have a 25 to 30 foot handline on them. If you don't see the greenbacks/whitebait/threadfins swimming out in the open, trying looking next to the pilings...they usually hangout close by. It can be really hard at times to get them with a 6-10 foot net, so i use a 12' to make sure i get some. Hope it helps

[new2fishing]

Yup.. Let mine sink to the bottom... I just tied extra rope to mine

[fishwander]

If tossing from the pier , make sure that you are selective where to throw the net. The last thing you want to do is to snag something on the bottom and tear a hole. When you find a good location, mark down the location and return later for more bait .

From the pier , I prefer to use a sabiki rig, and even then , I occassionally lose rigs.

Fishwander

[lutzfuji]

Awesome thanks for the tips guys.

[aquaman]

I agree with hbn1234. If the bait is visible it would not be necessary to let your net reach the bottom. Avoid the bottom when possible to prevent cutting your net on barnacle clusters. Sometimes it's unavoidable when looking for bait. I use a 7 ft. net(1 lb per foot) and it does the job wonderfully. I can't see throwing a 12 ft. net. If you have to search for bait, throwing your net over and over again would tire you out. What happens when you get too much bait? How do you get it up over the rail?

[riverviewsteve]

Well when it comes to the nets I am definitely
out of my league. I own a five footer and thats
about all I can handle. I have caught a whole
17 greenbacks since I owned it mostly one at
a time. However it would seem to me that letting
them sink completely to the bottom at the skyway
piers might not be a good idea. Since I been fishing
out there I have caught three bait nets. One of them
hadn't been down there long and I gave it away. The
other two were wasted. Also if you get to close to the
pilings you got a good chance of getting hung up. Just
my inexperienced opinon. Signed inexperienced netter.
Tight lines and good netting everyone.
riverviewsteve USN, Retired and enjoying every
minute. Especially the ones I spend on the Skyway
Piers. Love them sunsets

[hbn1234]

catching a net full of bait at the skyway isn't fun...believe me haha. There's been many occasions when i was out there and couldn't get one threadfin/whitebait/greenback with a 10 footer. So for insurance reasons, i bring the 12 out to make sure i have some backup bait. There's been a couple of times where three to four guys were needed to get the net over the rail...after you get the net up, you're almost too tired to fish

For you castnetting/mullet guys out there...they are starting to make their first push already. I got a couple of fish close to 6 lbs already and they aren't even full of roe yet. They probably will be here a couple more weeks before they head offshore, so get em while you can...good luck

[bigmackattack]

Hey guys, I toss a 12 footer regularly from the pier. I would not recommend letting your nets hit bottom, there is a lot of structure down there and it is unforgiving. Mind your tidal movement and your pilings as well.

Weight and mesh size will determine your rate of sink and also the size bait you catch. A lot of time when the bait is thick, your fry bait is pushed to the top while your larger greenies are at the bottom of the pack. A net with larger mesh and a good amount of lead will sink quicker and allow the smaller guys to pass through. Great way to net the size needed for grouper, macks, etc.

Good luck. At the right time you can toss once and have enough bait for the day, week, etc. Just remember to clean up after yourself, no one likes bait laying all over the place, of course except the pelicans and birds.

Tight lines,

Jason