The Challenges of Cast Net Fishing

The challenge of net fishing and how to overcome them

1.) Net selection: always choose a net you like to throw. The net should be comfortable to hold and a weight you could throw all day long. Ideal weight is between 8 and 12 lbs, with a net size between 8 and 10 feet radius. Nets smaller than 8 feet are undersized for net fishing and over 12 feet are cumbersome unless throwing from a boat or platform. A bag net is my preferred style, but I only fish shallow water, where my nets excel 🤙

2.) Throwing the net: This is the biggest hurdle when it comes to net fishing. Learning the proper technique to casting a net can take years. Start with the most basic technique and slowly learn different throwing techniques. Each net throwing method will have its advantages and disadvantages. I have 2 preferred net throwing styles that I use. I switch often between the Sniper style (Fanning the weights), or my alternate style of an over the shoulder throw. If im fishing shallow water, always fan the net, if I am throwing a dirty net in muddy water, I throw it overhead.

If you are throwing a bait net, you will need to learn a bait net technique, but understand that bait nets don't throw very far. So a triple load or a 50-50 technique should be your go-to with a small sized mesh net.

Once you have that cast mastered, you're ready to hit the water!

3.) Find a good netting location: Get on your phone and look on Google maps, satellite filter. You are looking for access points that look like they would hold fish. Look for sandy beaches that drop off. A sand peninsula near some backwater estuarys. Look for cement retaining walls near the water. Public boat docks are usually good, or even spillway and dams. If you want to be really adventurous, hike out on the rock seawall and throw the net off the wavy side (I caught many fish in those locations in Daytona)

Once you have some locations in mind, mark them on the map and test them out. Since there is not many net fisherman here in the u.s, you will have absolutely no problem finding some great spots with little crowds.

On another note, cast net fisherman are some of the coolest fisherman out there! We love company and you are more than welcome to throw your nets in the same area. Us net fisherman never claim spots and have just as much fun teaching net fishing skills as we do fishing 🤙

4.) Battle the elements: Pay attention to wind direction before picking a spot for the day. Some days the wind is too strong to throw into it, you must have the wind at your back. I have sent enough nets into the wind to know how impossible it is Lol. Bring a sun hat and sunglasses so you can see into that water and long sleeve spf sunshirt to protect your shoulders.

Net fishing is a VERY physical activity, bring plenty of water and take breaks periodically. A big cooler full of ice is always a nice choice and a collapsible wagon to pull it makes everything so much easier.

Get ready to get hit with big waves while surf fishing and time that net throw between the biggest sets of waves. If you wait for 5ish waves to pass, you will get around 15-20 seconds of calm still water and that's when you want your net to hit.

5.) Packing up the gear: This is either a moment of happiness or despair. If your cooler is full, your wife will be so proud, but if you return home empty handed, you will be both hungry and exhausted. Contrary to the popular belief, cast net fishing is not easy! Anyone who believes its cheating or super easy has never picked up a real net and fished hard.

Once you are home, filet your catch and load up the freezer with this weeks food! Rise out the cast net and dry out any other gear. Wait until the next day to fix any holes in the net and hang it up for next week's case net adventure 😀

Final Take: Net Fishing is ALWAYS an adventure, wether you get your target species or get something completely unexpected! Sometimes you get nothing on most throws, than hit a perfect 5 fish cast and now you have dinner. You might cast net a huge longnose gar (I did that once lol) or a snakehead, or catfish, or almost throw directly on a huge gator.

Have fun out there guys & if you are tired of throwing the worn out American style net, try a Sniper net, made by the Cast Net Sniper himself 🤙