I'm in the market for a new cast net.

What size net (radius, mesh size, and weight) do live bait hybrid/striper guides throw on a daily basis? Where can I buy the net? What brands hold up best? Cost?

For gizzards, just get the net that opens up when you toss it and you'll be fine.

Betts good for the money

Old Salt with 1LB PF

I'm not a guide but I like the old salt 3/8" mesh, if you're going for gizzards specifically, you might can step up to a 1/2" mesh and let all the smaller threadfin swim out. 7' always

I throw a Bait Buster 7' 3/8" mesh and 1.5lb/ft

Really like it, and holds up well

Has anyone ever encountered a GW while using a 7'+ net? Or witnessed it, or heard of a GW ever writing a ticket for one using said net? I'm just curious. Wonder how stiff that is or if they even care. Again, just curious.

I think its only illegal if it's 10' +

In Texas, anything over 14' diameter will get you a citation.

You're right, just looked lol!

Someone got a citation and had their net taken on a recent episode of Lone Star Law on Animal Planet. This was on the coast.

I use to carry a 9 ft net on my boat to use on ok. side of Texoma. Thought about it and decided I didn't want to get caught at pk or Bp with it. It resides in my garage now. 7 ft 3/8 mesh old salt is my choice.

I've seen videos of folks at the coast throwing nets that look to be 30 ft diameter. I'm lazy and don't want to look it up. Is it legal in Texas bays and such?

It's legal to use any net size you want in saltwater, I thought.

Not surprising on that show. I can't watch it.

One thing I will warn ya about certain cast nets is that most cheap nets don't open all the way. You can stretch them out by hand even. And they still are way short of being a true 14 diameter. I call it horn waste. It just comes up in middle. Don't order a net off the internet. I always like to have my hands on them before I buy