Which net works best when cast netting shad to use for crappie/white/hybrid/catfish bait. I have a mono net but was wondering if the nylon net would work better.

Also is there any baiting technique you guys use or do you just look for bait activity and throw the net in that area. I'll be throwing the net from the boat while fishing next week and just wanted to be prepared. If it's better to get the nylon net i'll head to bass pro, academy, or wal mart and pick one up tonite or tomorrow

Thanks guys

I prefer the mono its easier to get catfish out of and if you accidently get a carp mono is a must.

Catfish are really hard to get out of a nylon net. It can be a problem getting small catfish out of a mono net but it is almost impossible to get them out of a nylon net.

Matt

Mono sinks faster
but nylon has a smoother more open throw
but ive always like mono nets better since its easier to get catfish and carp out

mono!!

Mono!

Thanks for all the replies guys. Now I just need to check the net I have and see if I need to replace it or if it'll do the job just fine

Mono all the way...rick

The nylon also drags a ton of water back into the boat.

Mono

I do not bait. It takes a while to learn the patterns of shad and where they will be during various times of the year. I have fished shad on Hubbard, Texoma, & Grapevine quite a bit. The patterns are fairly similar. May is generally spawning season and shad like to spawn very shallow on gravel bottoms. When they are spawning you can watch for the Egrets and other shore birds. I have caught shad in 2" to 50' of water.

Any advice for what size of mesh to get?

3/8" Is all I use and reccomend.

1/4 or 3/8 this time of year.
1/2 or 5/8 in the winter.

I use both the nylon 1/4 in. mesh for minnows up shallow and then us the mono 3/8 in. mesh for a little deeper for shad. Nylon sinks slower but to me it is easier to repair than mono.