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

[keakar]

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?

[smooth move]

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.

[swamp snorkler]

Originally Posted by keakar

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?

The biggest you can throw and it open up properly

[meaux fishing]

Originally Posted by swamp snorkler

The biggest you can throw and it open up properly

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

[keakar]

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.

[meaux fishing]

Originally Posted by keakar

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

[keakar]

Originally Posted by meaux fishing

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

[meaux fishing]

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

[keakar]

Originally Posted by meaux fishing

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