Simple Cast Net Question
 

I've gotten to a point where I can somewhat competently throw a cast net. I'd say 50-60% of my throws are good, and getting better. I have two basic questions. How deep do you let the net drop before you pull it in? And, do you jerk on the line when you pull it in, or is it just an easy steady motion. I caught many small mullet when I was practicing last week, but I didn't feel like I was doing things entirely correctly. Thanks in advance for any help.

Depth depends on the area. I dont let the net sink that deep. But when i throw my bait is normally on top. I haven't noticed a difference between snatching and just a smooth motion. Also a bigger net is easier to open. Going.from 6ft to 8ft made a huge difference

When I'm shrimping I let sink to the bottom. And I pop the line soft 8 or 10 times to get the lead to drag bottom to a closed position that way I don't lift my net off the shrimp in a single motion. I will use this method also catching bait in shallow water. If I'm in channel and bait is on top I will let sink 3-4' and just pull it in.

Top Dawg is right. For shrimp, let it settle on bottom and then 8-10 quick but short jerks. This flushes the shrimp out of the mud and up into the net.

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yup, gotta let it sink

Awesome. Thanks for the tips. While we're talking about cast netting for shrimp, is it possible to find an appreciable catch without a boat? I'm not looking to fill a cooler, just love being down near the coast, doing productive things.

Couple spots at Sabine reserve you can catch em at the right time of the year.

You must be in a boat to castnet for shrimp at Sabine NR.

Yeah u forgot dat da trashy people got all cast netting from the bank banned?

No. They had lifted that ban last year. Unless they banned it again. There was sure people casting off blue crab

There's a couple places south of Houma where you can fill an Ice Chest. They do have limits to what you can catch though.

Never heard dat dey lifted it

Be aware of the terrain that you are cast netting in. If you let it sink to the bottom and catch a rock, kiss that net good bye. You might get it back, but it will be tore up.

lots of people cast net in the refuge from the bank even though it was illegal! Don't know the rules at the present time.

http://www.fws.gov/southeast/pubs/SWLAcomplex_Fish.pdf

"Cast netting for shrimp:

If the parking lot is in Colorado or Washington, yes. Haha.

In some states, yes.

True.. lol

Granted your not on a refuge 50 lbs per day per boat or vehicle regardless of the number of occupants if the season is closed and 100 lbs per day if it is open found that out last year on Elmer's