I’ve been consistently getting a 1/2 cooler with my 6’ net. I figure a bigger net will equal more shrimp so I went and got an 8’ net today. Is there any logic to my theory. Seems like common sense to me? At the same time I sometimes pull up the bait ball in the net so I’m hitting the right spot most of the time. I just figure I’ll catch some of the fatties on the sidelines that have already filled up.
The 8’ nets are nice if you can get a good opening, I have 2 and they wear me out. I can throw my 6’ three to for time in the time it takes to throw the 8’ once. More throws = more shrimp for me and i don’t have to rest between throws. The 8’ is hard for me to throw in the wind and there has been plenty.
Bought an 8 footer for the first time this year. Love it. Found a throwing method that works for both 7’ and 8’ with no problem. The 7’er is a little easier to pull in but they both throw the same and statistically, the 8’er should catch 31% more based on area as long as the shrimp are evenly distributed around the bait ball.
15.5 Scout w/60hp 4-Stroke
My Current Obsession
I have a 8’ blue betts and a 8’ pro. I am 5’9" and it just seems that it takes a long time to dress the 8’ nets for the next throw. It makes logical sense that a 8’ will catch more shrimp but I have not learned to get a full open and the pro is so heavy that I cant throw it but a few times and I have to rest. I can throw my 6’ pro and get full open three times faster than the 8’. This is my first year baiting, been 3 times, 1st time 1/3 cooler, 2nd 2/3 cooler, 3rd time full cooler. 50/50 small/medium. Will be back at Edisto next week and plan to go 2 x week for the next 3 weeks. Sure hope the shrimp grow.
The weight of the net is the biggest factor heavy it is the faster to the bottom shrimp are pretty quick course everything is tring to eat them I throw a 10 ft calusa n have great results
The weight of the net is the biggest factor heavy it is the faster to the bottom shrimp are pretty quick course everything is tring to eat them I throw a 10 ft calusa n have great results
Well my 8’ net is 2 pounds heavier than my 6’ but I have been throwing consistant pancakes in the yard with it. I can throw it using the exact same aproach as I throw my 6’. It does take just a little longer to get it set up for the throw. I’m gonna try my luck with it this weekend and see how I like it.
The area of a circle is #960; (Pi) times the Radius squared. So assuming that you can get the net to fully open and that it stays close to fully opened when it hits the bottom your 8 ft net will cover 200 sq ft of bottom (3.14 x64 = 200.96). The six foot net only covers 113 sq ft. and a ten foot net covers 300 sq ft. So roughly speaking for every increase of one foot of net size you will gain 50 extra sq ft of coverage. If the shrimp are there you will catch more per cast with the larger nets. Considering that figures never lie but liars figure, be honest with yourself and throw the biggest net that you can open most of the time. An 8 ft net that opens just over halfway is the same as a six footer fully opened. If the big net is wearing you out, start out throwing the smaller one until the numbers per cast start to pick up and then immediately switch to the bigger net.
Horsefly
Great idea horsefly. I will continue to throw the 8’ when i can. Will start with the 6’. Be back on the water next week. Retired so I can go during the week and stay out of the way of the weekenders.
joe peters
The most important thing is technique…research some different ways to throw. I see guys out there all the time putting the net over both shoulders, around their arms, and holding a part up with their leg (exagerating here) and all that will wear you out, and takes to much time. there are some really good techiques that don’t require all that. but as it was pointed out, bottom line is to open the net, no matter the size…good luck.
#1 thing is net opening well over the bait. A bigger net thrown well will catch more shrimp. You have several issues balance out.
A net with pro weights 1.5# will wear you out faster but it goes to the bottom quick. If they are down there they ain’t happy! It catches more shrimp if your back and shoulders can handle it. Big difference over a 1# but, maybe only a little better than a 1.2# or 1.3# which is easier on you.
Any net bigger than 7’ takes more time to clean and gather for the next throw. Some times on weaker tides shrimp run hard and then cut off like a light switch. The faster you can throw the more runs you make and more you catch.
How many people do you have in your boat? If just two then the number of throws and net size makes a big difference. If you have a helper or two to clean and clear the net then a 8’+ will work well too.
My son can pancake a 5’ faster than you can run the boat. A 6’ is a close second on number of throws. An 8’+ covers some good water but, slows you up on number of reps. I have thrown 5 - 6 - 7 -8 -10’ nets. I have a 5’ & 8’. One mine one my sons. My cuz has a 6’ and my buddy a 7’. A 7’ is THE perfect size IMHO. Covers a lot of area - clears and gathers fast - on the limit for weight if you go 1.5#.
When I have a choice I go with a 7’. If all you got is a 6 & 8’ I would go with the 6’ unless shrimp start running hard or I got help on the shrimp tub with the net.
J Ford
My wife usually drives the boat and I do the rest. I can clean and be ready for the next pole with the 6’ no problem. I can throw it for a little over 2 hrs. Its a pro net that is 1.5 of lead per foot. Like I said, this is our 1st year over bait. When our children were home 30 years ago we pulled a 30’ seine with a pocket, never again. So far I think we have done well, 3 trips, 80 to 90 lbs with heads total, small and medium. Will be going back and hit St Helena sound next week a couple of times. Been going 2-3 hrs befor lowe tide, plenty of action until ebb tide.
I have a 10 and twelve foot…this year got two new ones with webbing sewn to the bottom versus taping as I usually have done…tape /webbing will keep your net open longer. Main thing is to find a throw that’s most comfortable for you. I did the teeth and over the shoulder for ears…found a new way that is less tiring and more accurate…and less wet… Go to you tube and type in cast net throwing…you ll be amazed at the different ways. I use ine that throws form the waist now and am teaching daddy to use the same as his shoulders are starting to hurt him more.
Another tip that helps me…
I added a full length of rope form a old cast net to the new ones which had 50 feet on them. They now have 90. Seems like a lot but. Lets you toss. No matter what the depth and if the wind or current catch you you don’t have to worry about the net pulling closed too soon. Might be a lot of pulling…but at least it’s not a wasted cast like it might be.
Rubber surgical type gloves will help in saving your fingers/hands also from the saltwater/rope and shrimp.
miss’n fish’n
212 SEAHUNT CC
Sea Squirt 16