I really struggled to find bait fish saturday morning. As a result, I threw the net for a good hour to hour and a half. I had back surgery about 5 years ago and I feel almost as bad as the day I went in. I need to find a net launcher or find a fishing buddy who can throw the net. I'm new to catching bait and these fish but I sure do love it....just wish it was a little less taxing on the back.

jigging artificial lures no need need casting, may be your solution?

Fool'em instead of feeding'em.
Johnny

You should try throwing the net when you have 5 kidney stones moving around in both kidneys. I feel your pain. That's why I try to find a bunch in one spot before I start to throw.

Bump for the txfour looking for a little help. I'm not good with the net yet but have caught quite a few good ones on large minnows!

Try a lighter net, I keep a light one for shallow water and a heavy one for deep water. Diameter too....I use a 6 footer because that is all I need. Don't invest too much in nets, you will tear them up soon enough. Try to be at your Shad spot by 6 am. They will start to migrate to deeper water at daylight. If they are in a cove or creek in numbers , they will show themselves by flipping. Keep up with live bait, you'll will be feeding (and catching them) when others strike out.

Hey Keith. Ya, I'm throwing a 6 footer now. Maybe thats the prob. Been getting to the water too late. I'll try earlier. Will be at PK again Friday and Sat morning.

I've got my son practicing and he seems to be getting it down. Don't know that i can drag him out of bed too early though haha.

saw a video of a 4 ft. tall girl at the coast casting a 21 ft. net. she had it across both shoulders in her teeth and both hands, laid that net out beautifully. no way I could do that. I use a 7' as big a net that is legal. The six is easier but sometimes when the shad are scattered that little bit more diameter helps catch more quicker. I've seen people who have thrown nets for years just flick their wrists and the net spins out and lays perfect, I haven't gotten there yet. still a work out sometimes. Like Keith says, just stick to it, over all you will catch more and bigger fish with bait than lures.

OK txfor, I am sharing my favorite video. I keep it handy for refresher. 2 min long and I can consistantly throw my 7' net with 98% results. This kid on this video taught it so well, I did it first try after I watched it. Anyway, watch, try, report back.

Throwing Cast Net

Hey what about perch traps. I fish with live bait infrequently but when I do I find trapping perch to be fun. They also live longer in a live well during the summer and hybrids and striper love them. If you have a place to set them then a perch trap could be a good back friendly alternative. Don't forget that building them yourself is a hobby in its own.

Make sure the trap is legal size for fresh water.

That is basically the same way I do it. I think its the twisting motion that gets me. Whats weird is i felt fine doing it. But 10 minutes after getting home it hit.

I can now throw just about anything less than 10' radius. I think what I learned when working the net like that kid in the video was to not actually "throw" the net. That will cause it to clump. I think most folks learning have a tendency to "over power" the cast. It is more of a intentional toss than a throw. I absolutely know that I sound crazy but those that cast a net a lot know exactly what I am talking about. Try it in your yard but try to toss it "both arms moving at the same time" instead of throwing it where one arm will almost always out-power the other. I thought I was never going to be able to throw until I finally got that figured out. 2nd - If you are having to cast that many times to get bait, its like others have said - you need to get there earlier and know that there is bait before you cast. I use my cast net in the surf at Galveston standing in thigh deep water. By the way, I am 60 yrs old, not a spring chicken by any means.

Catching bait at this time I question if it is a net throwing/bad back issue or needing to get better at recognizing bait on your sonar equipment. Or maybe a combo of both? Regardless, if you only have a few throws you can do, make your throws worth it

I have thrown all sizes of nets. I personally have no problem with the smaller nets. quicker throws more throws yes but lighter net and easier to throw.. But I am a little younger and I am sure in 20 years I will say other wise lol. I might get a little better at a 7 footer but to be honest. The smaller net has not hurt me yet. When it gets hot and I try and I try and find bait mid day though I bet a 7 footer would help for sure!