Cast nets on the pier

[Look'n4Tuna]

I don't know if this is a dumb question or not, but is there any etiquette for using a cast net on the piers? Like where you should or should not use them? Last week when I went out, there was nobody even near me, so there was no problem. But I'm planning on going out this Friday afternoon/evening, and I'm quite sure I won't get so lucky. I just wanted to make sure that I was "playing by the rules".

[estreetbrat]

Not to hijack your thread, but am i the only one that doesn't know how to throw a net?
and can somebody teach me?

[havetofish]

Tuna,
You don't see many poeple actually throwing a net. Most use the spin and drop technique, so it shouldn't be a problem. Just use some common courtesy.

Estreet,
Just do a search on youtube or google for throwing a cast nets. You'll find a bunch of videos. Plus some of the on-line sellers of castnets, have videos. here's one.. www.calusa.com/watchvideo.cfm?name=notrequired

[Tommy]

estreetbrat.........................PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. We all throw banannas from time to time.

[goindeep]

Hey Marty, let me know when youre gonna head out again...Ive got a castnet I do OK with, Ill let ya practice a bit with it. I have a method I use, but my girlfriend does it differently (and more simple of course) and she actually has more consistent throws than I do.

[goindeep]

LookN4Tuna

If you see bait close to where some people are fishing, you could ask them if they mind if you throw a time or 2...I always ask first and offer some bait if I get a decent amount in the net. Most people wont mind, especially if they get some free bait out of the deal.

Win-win.

[knottybynature]

If you let your net sink all the way to the bottom be sure there is not rocks on the botom cause im sure we all have lost a net to the rocks and close up reefs. Other then that as long as you catch bait and not catch rocks or lines you are good.

[bigmackattack]

Net ett: just dont toss your net on someones lines...look before you throw. And sometimes if the bait is tight and not dispersed all over the pier...if you just ask the people fishing if they wouldnt mind....moving a line for you to get bait...they generally will..especially if you trade some bait with them.

As far as tossing a net...ive gotten pretty good with it. I normally toss once and then fish all day. Im used to throwing the 10-12' kinds. I dont make it out as much as i used to but if you catch up with me...ill be happy to show you.

Also...get to know the bottom...there is a lot of crap to hang up on down there...no before you throw...and i wouldnt let your net hit the bottom....lots of stuff to hang up on.

Good luck,

BMA

[Look'n4Tuna]

OK.... I have a 3', 3/8", 3/4lb/ft and I also have a 6', 3/8", 1lb/ft. The 3' is easy to cast (heck my 9yr old daughter uses it all the time), and when I'm on the NSP/SSP I use the spin and drop as you said. My hand line on the 3' isn't long enough to reach the bottom, so I let it sink as far as it will and pull it up. I don't do too bad with it. THAT BEING SAID.... I am fairly decent with the 6ft in my back yard, but throwing up and over the rail on the piers....... I look like a monkey molesting a football (I'm great at bananas) But I keep trying and I get a little better each time. But I'm pretty sure that the handline on that is long enough to reach the bottom. I thought about extending the 3' handline, but I'm not sure that 3/4lb/ft would give a fast enough sink rate. Maybe not hitting the bottom isn't such a bad idea.

Because I don't hit the bottom, I have yet to catch a pinfish in my net.... normally I get threadfins and sardines which isn't a bad thing.

Tight lines and full nets ;D ;D

By the way.. I was throwing right in front of the pylon of the pier but I threw so the tide would push it away from the pylon. The bait always seem to hang close to the pylons (at least on my last outing).

BMA... you mean a 10-12 ft net measured hanging or across?? 10-12ft hanging is a BIG net!!

[ripnlips]

it seems even bigger when it's filled with about 50 or 60 pounds of greenies. bma knows what i'm talking about. i throw the same net he does. practice is what it takes to get good at throwing a net effectively, but you need to practice throwing it correctly. once you get the net to "pancake" keep practicing that same technique. there are alot of ways to throw it. just find out the way that works best for you and stick with it.

good luck. if you ever meet up with us on the pier, i'll be more than happy to show you. at least point you in the right direction.

[Look'n4Tuna]

I look forward to meeting some of the guys from the board. I just don't seem to be there at the right time yet. But it will come. Thanks for the info!!

[jab]

i got a 8ft cast net. and i can throw it like a pancake every time just takes practice.

[jab]

oh yeah. always make sure the nets wrist strap is secure. i lost a 6fter at the gandy trying to throw it as faraas i can. it came write of my hand.

[getitdone]

has anyone other than me made the mistake of throwing a 12ft 1/4 inch mesh calusa on white bait during a mackrel l run?....... i did.. 15 min, 2 trashcans and 4 men later she was on the pier... LOOK before you cast there is a such thing as too much bait. but it was a hell of a snapper day after that

[jab]

calusa. wow thats a nice cast net.

[ripnlips]

Nov 19, 2008 8:33:52 GMT -5 getitdone said:

has anyone other than me made the mistake of throwing a 12ft 1/4 inch mesh calusa on white bait during a mackrel l run

been there....done that...won't do it again. i feel your pain.

[getitdone]

so many blisters..