what is the best cast net size for catching bait minnows and small croakers?
 

what is the diameter and mesh size you feel is best for catching bait to fish with for throwing from a boat that doesn't have a large casting platform, just a small front deck?

i use a 4' ( 8' dia) for throwing in the marsh. some of the areas are little pockets and holes too small for a bigger net. for open water i use a 6' ( 12' dia). anything bigger is too hard for me to throw.

The biggest you can throw and it open up properly

yep I find 6ft is pretty easy for everybody to throw 3/8" mesh

thanks guys, I only see 3/8" mesh so I figured that's what everyone uses but I saw a video of a guy with a 12" 24' dia net and it was 1/2" mesh. he had said even small nets sink faster if they are 1/2" but I guess those 1/2" nets are for the larger bait like pogies and such for offshore fishing.

I have a 5ft 10' diameter net now that's 3/8" mesh and I do ok with it but my casting technique sucks so I need more practice with it. if I use the front deck I keep getting caught on the front seat or trolling motor because I have no room on the front deck (my little boat is pretty crowded) so I started to throw it over the side of the boat mostly. its been years since I used it so im out of practice and only get a good circle once out of 4 throws and the rest are only like half open.

I have a really easy way to throw, if I cant find a video on youtube I'll make one tomorrow

I use the put it in your mouth technique and I keep forgetting to grab a bunch of weights when I throw so I was doing it like a frisbee and of course it wasn't pretty lol

I have been watching the youtube vids to brush up on the correct way to do it.

these guys do it so good its a shame: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqb41qn4Le0

this is how I throw http://youtu.be/hbmcW9zvg7g My net isnt that big so I only bunch it up once instead of twice

thanks, that does look like a better way then putting it in your mouth