Anything over 5 ft. gets really hard to throw especially for a beginner. 3 ft seems too small (you don't catch anything). I am not a pro, 4 or 5 ft. seems just right to me.

Also, want to lose a net fast really? Try throwing it in rough surf near a jetty.

Casat nets are measured by radius. The state of texas measures diameter wich means they have to spread the net out on the ground to measure it. Depending on manufacturer and construction(panel or funnel) many 8 foot nets are right at 14 foot diameter.

I've been throwing a 3 foot cast net since I was 10 yrs old...I'm 38 now and a 3 footer is the ticket, Lighter, and IF YOU CAN CAST CORRECTLY,Accurate, I can catch enough bait to fish with, no problems..... anything over 5 foot is too much work for me....Funny about throwing into Jetty Rocks....So many people drive by the best bait holes on their way to Galveston-Freeport.....

Learned that the hard way. Good way to waste $40.

Don't ever try to cast in front of a trolling moter.

Or throw over visible oyster shell as I've done!

I have a 14' radius with 12" ring in middle, ok to throw from dock, but difficult from the boat. Even on dock I have to get a running start.

I am looking at downsizing to 8 foot or even 7

Buck

3 and 1/2 foot, its easier to learn and works great once you know what youre doing

wow, a 14' radius would be a 28footer, that's a beast

For bait for the day I use a small 4 footer. I use a brand called Fling. These are easy to throw and with a smaller net they are easy to carry with you in case you need more bait.
I got my from a place called Beat The Big Box Boys. Google tem, they have a lot of stuff.

It's also highly frowned upon by the Game Wardens.

Throw the size you are comfortable getting to open, take time with it. When that becomes easy move up. I promise you will do better with an open 5ft net than a 7 ft taco.