I'm looking to buy a cast net. I'm a total rookie at throwing one. I only get to go fishing a few times a year these days but I'm wanting a net to add to my equipment. I'm starting to get into catfishing more and more and fresh shad would be nice to use at times.

I see the ones on the shelf at Academy. Are they any good as far as quality goes? What size would you recommend for someone like me looking to catch a few here and there. I'm not running a striper guide boat or anything, this is just for occasional use and just for me and my boys. And I don't have a big bait tank. On the pontoon I'll use the front livewell and in the jon boat I'll use an aerated cooler to keep them alive.

Thanks in advance for the discussion

Find a monofilament net that has at least 1.5 lbs/ft weight. I like 3/8" mesh, it will catch the 2.5" shad and up. 7' radius is the max you can use in Texas fresh water and that's what I prefer. Depending on which Academy you go to, they may or may not have the heavier nets. It seems like the stores near the coast do, that's where I get mine. My son has a 5' -1 lb/ft one he uses and now he catches most of our bait while I drive the boat, it just takes a few more throw as sometimes with a smaller net. I would shy away from the 3/4 lb/ft, I have used them and they take forever to sink. When winter time comes, you can tape it for deep water or get another net that is already taped.

For your livewell setup, keep some kosher salt and some foam off in your boat and your bait will thank you. A handful of salt and a capful of foam off helps the shad a lot. If your livewell is small, like most are, don't put many in there or they will expire quickly. I wish boats came with a 50 gallon bait tank built in, but I have yet to find one.

Thank you sir. That is some good info.

Cast nets get expensive fast! If you are throwing it in the late spring - early fall just get a cheap 5-6ft radius mono net. The shad are easy to catch around boat ramps and up along the bank in the back of coves when the water is warm. If you are new to throwing a net a 5ft net will be way easier for you to throw. I have a 7ft 1.5lb per foot net right now and its heavy and very hard for me to open all the way and I've been throwing nets for 15 years...

The advantage of a heavy net is that you can throw it in deep water and it will sink faster. You pretty much have to have a big (7ft) and heavy (1.5lb/ft) net in the winter to catch shad in 20-50ft of water. The issue is those nets are freaking expensive (like $120+) and you don't really need it unless you are trying to find bait in the winter. The other problem with those nets is if you throw it shallow (where you don't need the size or weight) you run a high risk of getting it snagged and having to replace the net. I currently have a 2 7ft 1.5lbs/ft nets that will stay in my storage locker until winter and I'll be throwing a 5ft .75lb/ft net this summer (which is about $35 on amazon http://www.amazon.com/Mako-CBT-S5-5-Feet-Sq-Mesh-White/dp/B005HJA0EU/).

Thanks obsessive. Good stuff!

If you're throwing from the bank get a 6ft 1lb per foot mono net. It will be easier to throw and sink plenty fast. For deep water its hard to beat the Betts Deep hole cast net. I prefer the 7ft ilb per foot. It sinks plenty fast and have caught bait in 45ft of water with it. I do have a 1.4lb Deep hole but very rarely throw it.