Never Buy Bait Again!
Our Cast Nets seem to go out as soon as they come in - This time, we have several sizes in both the American and Japanese Styles.
Cast nets have been around for a very long time and are ideal for catching your own bait. They are basically a circular net that is thrown into the water forming a circle and sinking down to encompass the fish.
In order to choose the size of cast net that is right for you, a little practice might be needed to see what you can handle. There are many very useful videos out there to give you the gist of throwing but nothing beats trying it out yourself...!
Once the hard part is over and the net has hit the water - You might wonder, what is next? Attached to the net is a handline, where one end is held in the fisherman's hand while the net is being thrown. Once the net becomes full there is a retrieval clamp that closes the net around the fish [imagine a wringer for a mop]. Finally, the net is brought back by pulling on the handline.
Practising in grass or in water where the area can be disturbed is a great idea.
Catching bait fish is essential to catching many types of sought after game fish in both salt and fresh water.
Catching bait fish that predator fish are feeding on will greatly increase the chances of a productive day of fishing.
Having the correct cast net for the type of bait being targeted is very important. I have thrown many cast nets over giant schools of bait and caught zero fish.
In general, you want the largest diameter net you can throw with heavy round sinkers between 1-1.5 pounds per radius foot.
The mesh netting should be small enough to catch the targeted bait but large enough to sink quickly. This is most important when catching fish that are in deep clear water. Most nets work in shallow water because there is little time for the bait to escape.
Basic Cast Net Structure
- Swivel- two metal loops or rings attached together, that turn at both ends.
- Handline- a rope that is attached to the swivel on one end, with the other end attached to the caster's wrist.
- Horn- a ring with an indentation around the centre, where the top of the net is tied.
- Lead Line- a rope with sinkers attached. This rope is at the outside perimeter of the net to sink it.
- Brail Lines- lines attached to the swivel at one end and to the leadline at the other. Their function is to pucker the net, thus trapping the catch.
- Netting- made from nylon multifilament or monofilament to form the desired mesh.
Japanese style cast nets feature a bottom pocket and although are favoured more commercially than the American style, they can be used by any fisherman wanting to catch smaller fish in abundance.
These nets are legal in NZ for Piper and other baitfish.
Check Out Our New Stock NOW!
10FT Radius 1 inch White Cast Net USA Style
12FT Radius 1 inch White Cast Net USA-Style
12FT Radius 2.5 inch Cast Net USA Style
8Ft Radius 1 inch Cast Net Japanese Style
10Ft Radius 1 inch Cast Net Japanese Style
12 FT Radius 1 inch Cast Net Japanese Style
Check out a short instructional video here
