How to Resling Your Fishing Net with New Mesh — Save Money, Fish Better

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Got an old fishing net sitting in the shed with worn-out mesh? Don't throw it away. Reslinging your fishing net with fresh mesh is one of the smartest things you can do as a net fisher. It saves you hundreds of dollars compared to buying a brand-new net, and when it's done right, a reslung net fishes just as well — sometimes even better.

Action Outdoors supplies everything you need to resling your old net with new mesh, from unslung netting rolls to slinging twine, needles, and rope. All NZ made, all with free shipping.

What Is Reslinging?

Reslinging (also called re-hanging or re-meshing) is the process of removing the old, worn-out mesh from a fishing net and replacing it with new netting. The frame of your net — the top rope (float line), bottom rope (lead line), floats, and sinkers — can last for many years. It's the mesh that takes the punishment from fish, rocks, crabs, and sun damage.

Instead of buying a whole new net, you simply cut off the old mesh, buy a roll of unslung netting in the right size, and sling (attach) the new mesh onto your existing ropes. The result? A net that fishes like new at a fraction of the cost.

When Should You Resling Your Net?

It's time to resling when you notice any of these signs:

• Holes and tears — Small holes can be mended, but if the mesh is tearing in multiple places, it's time for new netting.
• UV damage — Monofilament mesh gets brittle and stiff after too much sun exposure. If you can snap strands easily with your fingers, the mesh is done.
• Loss of stretch — Good mono mesh has a slight flex to it. Old mesh becomes rigid and doesn't fish as well.
• Reduced catches — If your net used to catch well but now fish seem to swim straight through or avoid it, the mesh has likely lost its near-invisible quality.
• Upgrading mesh size — Maybe you started with snapper mesh and now want to convert the same ropes to a flounder net. Reslinging lets you switch species by simply changing the mesh.

What You Need to Resling a Net

1. Unslung Mesh (The New Netting)

Unslung mesh is raw netting that hasn't been attached to ropes yet. It comes in long rolls, and you choose the mesh size based on what species you're targeting. Here's a quick guide:

👉 Browse All Unslung Mesh

2. Slinging Twine

Slinging twine is the thin, strong polyester twine used to tie the mesh onto the top and bottom ropes. You'll need one spool for most recreational nets. The size of twine depends on the weight of your mesh — lighter mesh uses finer twine, heavier mesh uses thicker twine.

• 20S/21 Slinging Twine — $20 — Fine twine for light bait and herring mesh
• 20S/36 Slinging Twine — $20 — Medium twine for flounder and mullet mesh
• 20S/78 Slinging Twine — $20 — Heavy twine for snapper and heavy-duty mesh

3. Net Needles

A net needle (slinging needle) is essential for threading the twine through the mesh and around the ropes. We stock needles in three sizes — pick one that matches your mesh size.

• 250mm Needle — $9.50 — For smaller mesh (bait, herring, piper)
• 300mm Needle — $10.50 — For medium mesh (flounder, mullet)
• 350mm Needle — $11 — For larger mesh (snapper, heavy-duty)

We also carry budget plastic net needles in 5", 7" and 9" — from $3.14 for those who prefer a lighter tool.

How to Resling a Net — Step by Step

Here's the basic process for reslinging a set net. It takes a few hours for a 30m net, and gets faster with practice.

Step 1: Remove the Old Mesh

Cut the old slinging twine along the top and bottom ropes to free the worn mesh. Remove all the old netting and twine. Inspect the ropes, floats, and sinkers — replace anything that's damaged.

Step 2: Measure and Cut the New Mesh

Measure the length of your top rope to determine how much mesh you need. A 30m net typically uses about 40–50m of unslung mesh (the extra accounts for the "sling ratio" — the mesh gathers slightly when hung). Your mesh depth (measured in "meshes deep" or MD) determines how deep the net hangs in the water.

Step 3: Set Your Sling Ratio

The sling ratio determines how the mesh hangs between the ropes. A typical sling ratio for NZ set nets is around 50–60% (meaning 10m of mesh is hung on 5–6m of rope). This creates diamond-shaped openings that catch fish most effectively. A tighter ratio (closer to 50%) makes more upright diamonds — better for gilling fish. A looser ratio (closer to 60%) creates wider openings.

Step 4: Sling the Top Rope First

Thread your slinging twine through the net needle. Starting at one end of the top rope, tie the first mesh onto the rope. Work your way along, tying groups of meshes at regular intervals. Consistency is the key — use a measuring mark on your rope to keep the spacing even.

Step 5: Sling the Bottom Rope

Once the top rope is done, flip the net and repeat the process on the bottom rope (lead line). The bottom rope should be slightly longer than the top rope to create a gentle curve — this helps the net sit properly in the water.

Step 6: Test and Inspect

Hang the finished net between two posts or trees and stretch it out. Check that the mesh hangs evenly, there are no tangles, and the float line sits above the lead line. Give it a stretch to settle the knots.

How Much Does Reslinging Cost vs a New Net?

The savings increase with longer nets. For shorter recreational nets (20m–40m), the savings are moderate but still worthwhile. For longer nets (60m–100m) and commercial nets, reslinging can save you hundreds of dollars.

Mono vs Multi-Mono — Which Mesh for Reslinging?

When choosing new mesh, you'll see two types:

• Mono (monofilament) — Single strand nylon. More affordable, good visibility in clear water. Our best sellers: Flounder Mono Mesh from $49.99, Mullet Mono Mesh from $35
• Multi-mono — Multiple thin strands twisted together. Softer, catches more fish because it tangles around the gills better. Our picks: Flounder Multi-Mono from $85, Mullet Multi-Mono from $125

Our recommendation: If you're reslinging a net that doesn't catch as well as it used to, upgrade from mono to multi-mono mesh. The difference in catch rate is noticeable.

Can We Resling Your Net for You?

Don't have the time or confidence to resling your own net? Action Outdoors can build custom nets to your specifications. Contact us with your rope lengths and target species, and we'll quote you a price for a fully assembled net using brand-new mesh.

📞 +64 09 820 8023 · ✉️ sales@actionoutdoors.kiwi

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Everything you need to resling your fishing net — all with free shipping NZ-wide.

• 🧵 Unslung Bait & Herring Mesh
• 🧵 Unslung Flounder Mesh
• 🧵 Unslung Mullet Mesh
• 🧵 Unslung Snapper Mesh
• 🪡 Net Needles
• 🧶 Slinging Twine & Net Supplies
• 🔧 Net Accessories — Floats, Rope & More
• 🛒 Browse All Fishing Nets

Action Outdoors Limited — NZ's largest fishing net manufacturer. Made in Auckland. Free shipping NZ-wide.

📞 +64 09 820 8023 · ✉️ sales@actionoutdoors.kiwi