Best net? White Nylon or Mono? I had to repair the Betts net 3 times last year but my 15 year old white nylon bait caster net works great…can’t use due to hole diameter. What do you suggest?
Creek Girl
“Throw like a girl!”
www.HeatherJordan.com
coastal artist
For me Creek Girl there is only one net. The Black Pearl. I’ve tried all of them and it really isn’t close. You’ll pay for them. About $170-200. But they are so worth it. Everything is an upgrade. The rope, the horn, the stiching, etc. The big thing for me and the guys I shrimp with is when we get the boat in position for the thrower in rough seas, (we shrimp in pretty big water) you better be ready to throw. No fooling around with the net because it’s tangled for the 50th time that day. The pearl never tangles, gets down quick, empties easily and is ready to re-load in no time. I just had a new one delivered. My wife gets mad when I sleep with mine. But oh well.
2004 Scout 187 Sportfish
115 Yamaha
Great! We have bought 2 and they both tangle. We stay in 1st gear and travel slow then wrap the poles this gives me just enough time to re load and get ready for the next pole. I squeal like a little girl when it is heavy, but hate it when it is a mess. Thanks for the tip! I sleep with our net also glad I am not the only one.
Creek Girl
“Throw like a girl!”
www.HeatherJordan.com
coastal artist
Soak your net in fabric softner… 1 cup to a 5 gal bucket, let it soak overnight give it a quick rinse and she’s GTG. I’ve soaked cheap nets from Walmart they’re softer, they open easier, they will pancake more often, and smell alot bettter.
18’ CC 115 Yamaha “AWOL”
AMMO
“Providing the Enemy the opportunity to die for his country”
I bought a custom one from Tim Wade from FL last year (http://www.lagooner.com/photoPages/wadetim/). Love it! I think I paid $120 with shipping. It’s custom (weight size, shape, etc., mono type, and some other specifics he will ask you about). I’ve never thrown a Black Pearl, but Tim Wade open and loads much easier than Betts. Mr. Wade was very nice and informative over the phone. His nets have been discussed here many times in the past and everyone seems to like them.
I also bought a 7’ Tim Wade early last season. It does pretty well for me, beats the $%##@e outta a Betts blue
I have a Tim Wade, West Coast, Calusa, Super Pro, Lee Fisher, and a Fitec.
I love the Calusa the best, but hate the large horn. Can’t go wrong with Tim Wade, he really knows nets. Time Wade has the best value with great prices. I’m gonna try to get a Cracker net for this season.
CaptKC - you will be happy with the Cracker. Same quality as the Calusa and a smaller horn.
Horsefly
How does a Tim Wade net differ from Black Pearl net?
01 Hewes Redfisher, 90 Yam 2 Strk
I have several nets. Tim wade 8’, 10’, black Pearl 8’, 11’, Betts Super Pro 10’. All of these nets are used for “Deep Hole Shrimping”. My favorite nets are the Tim Wade. They load easier, throw easier, and they catch shrimp!! They are also resonably price. Tim is a great guy full of information. Give him a call, tell him how you plan to use the net, he will make a recommendation on net type, weight, etc.
coasttal - It’s what bkdraper62 said. I have also had several net’s over the years (Tim Wade, Black Pearl’s and Calusa’s (Cracker for shrimp). Once you get into any of these quality nets it’s like asking which car drives better a Cadillac, A Lexus or a Mercedes… All are way better than a Ford Pinto and in this range it really comes down to a matter of personal preference. If you have never owned a good quality net, buy one and try it. You will like it much better than what you are throwing now. Promise! I you don’t like it you can always sell it for just about what you paid for it. In my opinion after 18 years of very successful shrimping and teaching dozens of folks how to throw a net, the real key key is not to buy a bigger net than you can already throw. If you can only throw a 6 footer now, don’t for a second believe that you can buy an 8 foot Black Pearl and think that just because it is a better net that you will be able to magically open it. Get what you are comfortable with and enjoy the consistent pancakes that you will get from a good quality net.
Horsefly
Thanks guys. Got one on order with Tim Wade. I am sure this is going to be typical of a lot of things I buy. First time I buy cheap, like a Sears bandsaw, then wear it out and then buy a Delta heavy duty bandsaw and it runs forever. Then I wonder why didn’t I buy the good quality tool to begin with. I am sure it will the same with the net.
01 Hewes Redfisher, 90 Yam 2 Strk
coasttal - Good decision! PM me once the season starts if you want to get together sometime and go catch shrimp with your new net.
Horsefly
That is great advice by Horse Fly. I need to take a Tim Wade net for a test drive. I’m loving the hype. Plus none of my upstate peckerwood buddies have ever seen one.
The Pearl however, she’ll bring the pain.
2004 Scout 187 Sportfish
115 Yamaha
Thanks for the info on the Tim Wade net Shrimp King. Got his number and will place my order today. Sounds like a lot better price than the Black Pearl. I just hate to spend $200, or better, on a net for it to just get shreaded by an oyster cluster stuck in the mud. Nature of the beast tho. Every net I have has repairs to it. Looks like hell, but they work, just tangle a lot, and I’m gettin’ too old to fight nets all night. Can barely survive 10 passes these days and had to do that a lot last year just to get 1/2 cooler, or better. You use 1.5 lbs. per foot, or 1 lb? I’ve been using a 1.5 lb for years, but that thing is gettin’ heavy.
Key West 196;150 Yammie
Life Is Good…Gotta Love It!!!