I had trouble closing the deal on some finger mullet today - I would get the net over them, and it would sink plenty fast… but then when trying to get the net back to the boat it seemed like they were getting out through the bottom - it did not appear to close very tightly (relative to my old net).
Crappy new net or bad technique? Should I leave the net on the bottom and try and get it closed slowly versus try and haul it in while the bait is in the upper parts of the net? Would there be any benefit in dragging the net a bit to try and get the bottom closed before pulling it up?
what mesh net were you using? 3/8 mesh is good for finger mullet but if you are tossing a 1/2 or bigger,the mullet will go through the mesh unless they are big mullet.
If you give a few short pulls without actually pulling the net up before you pull it in will help the braile lines close the net. Let it drop several feet down if you are in deep water, pump the line in towards you a few times to close it, then pull it in. If you can let it sink to the bottom or near the bottom it will help as well and you might get a few shrimp to boot.
PioneerLouie
Pioneer Venture 175, Johnson 90
Summerville, SC
3/8 x 7ft, in very shallow water. I think that was part of the issue also -it was so shallow that trying to tug it closed was pulling the net “halfway out of the water” open (probably 4"- 8" off bottom out of 2 ft)?
You just have to do it a little differently in shallow water. This method works in 1" of water and will work to catch fiddlers off the bank in NO water.
After you cast and have covered some mullet in shallow water or fiddlers on the bank, back off with the boat and gently tug on the net as you back off, taking care not to try to lift it until the net is almost all the way closed. THEN pull it in at an angle and never straight up to allow it to close the rest of the way. This really works. Just back off and make short tugs without taking in line until the net is closed.
Give that a try. It works for me.
PioneerLouie
Pioneer Venture 175, Johnson 90
Summerville, SC
I’m with you Bonzo. I can’t stand a muddy mess in my boat. It ruins my entire attitude for the day. I’ll admit I’m obsessive compulsive when it comes to keeping me gear pristine, but it appears to last longer, and work better as a result.
You just have to do it a little differently in shallow water. This method works in 1" of water and will work to catch fiddlers off the bank in NO water.
After you cast and have covered some mullet in shallow water or fiddlers on the bank, back off with the boat and gently tug on the net as you back off, taking care not to try to lift it until the net is almost all the way closed. THEN pull it in at an angle and never straight up to allow it to close the rest of the way. This really works. Just back off and make short tugs without taking in line until the net is closed.
Give that a try. It works for me.
PioneerLouie
Pioneer Venture 175, Johnson 90
Summerville, SC
Excellent advice right here.
Lot of guys don’t do the small things like this when getting bait or shrimping. Makes a lot more difference than people think!
In shallow water, when making short pulls to close the net, pull from side to side and it will pull in the sides as well.
When catching fiddlers from a muddy bank, to keep the mess to a minimum, just dunk the net several times when you get it in deep enought water to remove most of the mud. You will lose a few fiddlers by doing this, but it is always worth it to me to lose most of the mud before dragging it into my nice clean boat. Then, make sure you have a 5 gallon bucket ready to empty the net into. It is better to use a small net (5-6’) when you go for fiddlers or when throwing in very shallow water.
Sometimes, I just use the washdown to clean the mud from the net before bringing it aboard. If you don’t have a washdown system, just dunk it a few times…that works too.
It gives me a bad attitude too when I get my boat trashed when getting bait. We have a raw water washdown system, which helps, but gettomg bait is still a mess especially in our muddy creeks. The bucket will help even when throwing from the bow for menhaden and mullet and will minimize the mess on the deck.
PioneerLouie
Pioneer Venture 175, Johnson 90
Summerville, SC
I’ve been out casting for bait a few times since learning this and it has made a difference. I also notice that I get more crabs, baby flounder, etc now that I inch the net in slowly. Thanks again!
I use one those big muck buckets I got at Lowes; keeps most of the mud and ##@@!! dead marsh grass off the deck. Creek at plum Island has a lot of crabs, too.