I'm looking to buy my first cast net but have no clue where to start. I will mostly be throwing from the bank and willing to drop some coin for a good one! Any suggestions on brand and size(ft. and per #)?

I hear Joy nets are good .....I buy cheap ones at Academy cuz I snag and shred them all the time........from the bank u shouldn't need a real heavy one cuz it'll wear u out alot faster.....boat guys get heavy nets to sink fast in deep water.......if u are just learning to throw watch YouTube videos.....it takes alot of practice- atleast for me it did.
Most guys like 7 ft to cover as much area as possible.....I throw a 5 footer cuz they are cheaper but I should get me a 7 footer......

I throw a 6 foot radius (12 feet across). If you are throwing from the bank, I would suggest a cheaper net. Nets get tore up from the bank more often (but I've lost a couple from the boat too) for cheaper nets available at local stores, I like the super spreaders at academy, and the frabills at walmart are ok too. I just bought a bps brand net at xmas time, and i hate it. It's very stiff (even after soaking it in fabric softner). If you buy from academy or walmart. You don't get a lot of choice in mesh size or weight, but from the bank, I would get 3/8" mesh, and .75 lbs per foot. Should be all you need from the bank. If you are ordering online, check out the mako nets on justcastnets.com cheaper net, but I've heard good stuff.

If you still want a higher quality net, lots of guys use ahi brand nets, and joyfish and bait buster are popular.

That's all i got for ya.

Thanks for the replies D.C.M and Caribou! So I should start cheap and under a pound per foot. I forgot to take in consideration of rocks and sticks throwing from the bank. I'll def be picking one up at academy!

Good info there, I can't tell you how many I've lost or destroyed from the bank over the years. I've gotten wet for a few when on an all night or weekend trip and headed to academy for a replacement wasn't an option. Practice in the back yard is how I learned how to use it properly.

I've tossed a couple with the ring/disc but from watching the youtube videos it seems much easier without one!