Is there a particular brand that is easier to throw than others? I have a net from Academy that is a few years old (don't remember the brand), but can't always manage to pitch a nice circle (user error I'm sure). We mainly use it at our pond for small bream which are abundant and easy to net. The channel cats love them. I would like to become more proficient to use on the lake. Any feedback is appreciated.

If your net is a couple years old you might try to soak it in fabric softener. I have never had a net last that long but I imagine it might be getting stiff.

+1

Old nets get stiff. Soak it in fabric softener. That does wonders on even new nets.

I soak my nets in fabric softener but I keep the taped and weight end out of the water.
I also tie my nets by the horn and let hang when not in use.

I throw black pearls, calusa, crackers, betts, and what wall mart sells. Since you keep your nets for so long, you should get a good quality net that feels good and lays flat in your hand, spreads very easy, weighs and sinks faster than most cheap nets and doesn't close as fast as it sinking in deeper water than 9 or 10 feet. A cracker net is really nice net that isn't as expensive as calusa or black pearl. I use my crackers most. Betts a distant second for same application as crackers. Calusa and pearls are deep water nets, Walmart if I'm shallow but certain to hang up. I can do it all with the cracker though and have the same feel and performance as the calusa and pearls. My nets are the most important part of my gear cause without them I don't have bait to fish with.