LAGUNA

I was interested in trying to catch my own bait next year for fishing. Live Poagies can be netted in the area I fish, I just can't seem to figure it out. What style/size net would you guys reccomend, and what is the proper procedure? Also does anyone know the laws in reguard to netting poagies? thanks for any help
Cheers!

OffTheHookSupply

Starting off I'd recommend a 4 or 5' net, no bigger until you get the hang of it.

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ReelCrazySportfishing

Bro
I would go with a min of 8 foot net. its harder to throw but you have a better chance to get fish in the net. 5/8 to 1 in mesh

the 4-5 foot are easy to throw but the bunker are quick to get out of the way.

as far as laws all is good as long as you are in marine waters but, thats for connecticut. im not sure about other states

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OffTheHookSupply

Not sure I'd recommend an 8' net to a beginner.

Until you get the feel it's better to start smaller.

As far as the Bunker getting out, of course you're not gonna catch as many with a 5' net as opposed to an 8' net.

But your failed throw attempts are gonna be way way higher.

I use a 5' net all the time, plenty big enough.

Just my opinion.

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OffTheHookSupply

Unless of course you need 300lbs of Bunker in one toss

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PFO

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ReelCrazySportfishing

LOl the quicker you get the bait the quicker you get fishing.

Like you said its a matter of opinion.

thats what threads like this are good for. You get lots of info from differant people and are able to make a better choice.

My days of throwing cast nets are pretty much over but i started throwing a 4 footer for alewives and just moved up from there.

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OffTheHookSupply

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReelCrazySportfishing LOl the quicker you get the bait the quicker you get fishing.

Absolutely, but you are thinking from someone with experience using a cast nets perspective.

I'm trying to look at it from someone who's never thrown one perspective.

An 8' cast net is not the way to go as a beginner.

Frustration of not being able to use it will inevitably end all attempts at learning.

It's not easy if you've never done it.

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Scup

Laguna,

Cast nets are described by the radius. When someone states they moved up to a 12 foot cast net, they are talking about a net that if thrown properly will open up to a 24 foot diameter circle. I have tried both big and small cast nets, and have found all of them to be somewhat tricky to throw with the larger ones being far more difficult. I could practice on my front lawn, by throwing at a old tire, and have it open fine every time. Put me in a situation where I see fish, and I get excited and make a mess of it every time. I have also tried several throwing aids such as Netcraft's cast net thrower (it broke on the second toss) and aluminum throwing rings all to my disappointment. The poorly made cast net imports for the most part suck. I had a net that could never be made to open properly because it was so poorly made. I tried to stretch it out on my front lawn in a perfect circle and I still could not do it. While more expensive, if I had to do it all over again, I would only buy USA made cast nets. You do not need any additional handicaps when first starting out. It is far easier to learn if you would have some height when first starting out. Tossing off a pier is easier than trying to flip it out while standing in waist deep water. My Florida friends would always take turns as who would be the high man. One friend would go piggy back on his buddy's shoulders to gain some height. The low man really had it tough since before the toss by the upper man, the wet net would be dangling in his face and there was not much he could do about it since he had to hold on to his buddy. I have been trying to net scup for years in shallow water (8 feet deep) without any luck. I know they are there, but they are so quick, they can actually swim out from under the net. Throwing a cast net at twilight is not that easy either.

LAGUNA

Ok, so the general concensus seem to be start small with a quality net, and make sure the net is really opening. I am casting off a boat, and am targeting these buggers close to a jettie,....the plymouth jettie for those who know the area. There seems to be a lot of life there at dawn and dusk when the bait is in. Anyway...thanks for all the advise, and cheers to the NBS community for givin away tips like this for free..

thanks