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Advice needed for a Cast net . #13365390 12/08/19 07:12 PM
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DarrellSimpson Offline OP
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I have been trying to catch shad with a cheap Walmart 8ft mono net with 1/4 inch mesh , It sinks a little slow and as a result my catches are minimal .
I want to get a faster sinking larger net but they get expensive really fast .
I see the nylon " tire lines " that are supposed to be really durable but I have never thrown one to know how well they sink .
Can any of you that catch shad offer advice on size, weight , mono or nylon and brand . Thanks .

Re: Advice needed for a Cast net . [Re: DarrellSimpson] #13365444 12/08/19 07:56 PM
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Blue Blazer 2400 Offline
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When you say 8ft are you talking radius or diameter? 7' radius (14' diameter) is the largest legal size in Texas. So when people are talking about the size of the net most people refer to the radius size.

I throw a 7' net (radius) with 1# of lead weights per foot and 3/8" mesh. I use mono nets. The mesh size is for what size bait you are after. The bigger the mesh the bigger the baits it traps. Larger mesh will let smaller baits escape easier. This is the net size that I use most of the year.

With all that being said I use a 7' taped net in the winter with 5/8 mesh and 1.5# of lead per foot. This net is for big deep bait.

My suggestion is to get a 7' net and learn to throw it. It will help you bout a lot. Academy has Fitec 7' 1# lead 3/8" nets for about $50. It's a great net.

Re: Advice needed for a Cast net . [Re: Blue Blazer 2400] #13365523 12/08/19 09:19 PM
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DarrellSimpson Offline OP
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I meant to make that more clear . 8ft diameter 4ft radius . I started out small to try and learn but at the same time I had hoped to be more successful than I have been . When I watch the guys with the larger nets they seem to have a better catch rate but when I ask them questions about nets they rarely want to share any tips .

Last edited by DarrellSimpson; 12/08/19 09:20 PM.
Re: Advice needed for a Cast net . [Re: DarrellSimpson] #13365913 12/09/19 03:21 AM
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You can catch shallow shad with a 4' net but anything over probably about 6 feet deep you need a bigger net. I have a couple of 5' cheap nets that I use for when I am throwing in an unknown area or when the shad are around brush. That way it I tear it up I am not mad. That fitec 7' I mentioned earlier is a good net. I have caught shad in 17' of water with that net.

How deep of water are you trying to catch shad in?

Re: Advice needed for a Cast net . [Re: Blue Blazer 2400] #13366054 12/09/19 01:07 PM
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DarrellSimpson Offline OP
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I have been trying in the 12ft to 20ft depth range . The 4ft net will catch a few 1-1/2 inch shad in 6ft of water but it would be nice to catch larger number as well as bigger shad for cat fishing . I am able to find shad with the assistance of the fish finder so hopefully a better net will yield better results . Thank you for the suggestion on the net and the confirmation that it works for you in the deeper water . I am hoping I won't need to tape a net , that looks like a major test of a persons patience .

Re: Advice needed for a Cast net . [Re: DarrellSimpson] #13376300 12/18/19 05:41 PM
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I throw a 7โ€™ radius as well in Texas. For the money I prefer the bait buster nets, they throw good and seem to be good quality and are 1 1/2 pounds a foot. I think mine came from Lee Fisher castanets.com. Hereโ€™s a video of how I throw mine, works great even on a 12โ€™ net. https://youtu.be/MGbknx7pHlM
I also soak my nets when they are new or start to get stiff in a bucket of hot water with about a cup of fabric softener for a couple hours then rinse and hang from the horn to dry.

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