Lets Talk Cast Nets for Dummies!
- CastNet Sniper
- Jan 8
- 3 min read
Written by the Cast Net Sniper
Tampa, FL. Jan 7th 2026
Lets start here...
A Cast Net is a large net that is meant to be thrown. It is essentially being casted into the water by hand and retrieved using a pull rope or "Handline". All cast nets have these same characteristics
1.) They are circular when they are thrown
2.) They have a rope that has weights attached around the perimeter called a "lead line" This makes the net sink
3.) They have a mechanism to close or trap fish as they sink through the water.
4.) They are retrieved after each cast. The fish will be trapped in the mesh and collected by the fisherman.
Sounds Simple.... What's the Catch??
Have you ever watched someone throw a net? It looks incredibly easy, almost too easy... Except to people who have attempted to throw them before.
The reality with cast nets sets in the moment you pick one up and start fumbling through the net. You realize, this isn't going to be easy! The net is far heavier than you imagined, and it's tangled in places you can't see. Not to mention, you have wind and waves to contend with and the sun is hurting your eyeballs. This is how beginner net fisherman feel while learning how to throw.
Ideally you have an experienced teacher nearby to help you load the net and teaches you the swing. It is very easy for a trained cast net thrower to see exactly what you are doing wrong and help you correct the issue.
So How do I Start?
The best way to start throwing a cast net is to buy a 6-footer or an 8-footer that is Lightweight. Avoid those heavy nets at all costs while you are starting out.
To begin with, learn a forehand throw. These are the basic, beginner level throws that will simply get a net open. With this throw, you can begin net fishing and having fun, while you are learning more advanced techniques. Be very careful with your shoulder, throwing a 8 lbs. net forehand is about max for your shoulder, and the bigger nets should always be thrown backhand.
Your net selection matters a lot here. To a beginner, you have the choice of buying a custom-made net or buying one off the shelf at a box store. If I'm being 100% honest, you should get a cheap little net to practice with and start out. Just understand that the cheap little nets will never open all the way, or they will snap back closed all the time. At this stage in your learning, you just need a net that you can fling around and train with it.
You will quickly outgrow that cheap storebought net and this is when you start picking a better net. You can decide if you want a bottom bag cast net or an American Style cast net. If you are fishing deep water, get the American Style cast net. If you are fishing shallow water or beaches, get the Bottom Bag - Sniper Nets.
Advanced throwing techniques
Now you got a good idea of how to throw forehand, Lets add in some more power and force & get you a good backhand throw.
This is the dominant throw technique for throwing big and heavy cast nets. You really need to harness the hip swinging and leg power to get a big net moving. Your back muscles are SO much stronger than your front and you will find that you can generate serious power with a backhand throw.
You can watch my demonstrations here
This video teaches the beginner technique and the advanced technique in one film!
So, What's Next?!
Next is Practice, Practice and more Practice. You want to get to the point where you don't have to worry about your casting technique anymore and build that muscle memory.
Now you can start wading through the swamp and start dropping nets on your targets. Master those techniques and you will be a master cast net fisherman too!
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