Got little frustrated this weekend trying to catch pogies. Never have much of a problem but did not see them in ICW so wife and I cruised to back side of Morris Island and found plenty of them along the channel but had a HECK of a time catching them.
I throw a cast net decent, 10’ Calussa with I think 1/2" mesh
Most of the time water depth was 30-40’ and I could see them but quite a few times I came up with empty net and KNOW I hit the school
Only two things I could figure out, one it was late am and they could see me and shadow in the sun, finally came with sun to my face and that seemed to be the trick or at least I caught some that way but also wonder if I need a bigger mesh net for those in deep water
Admiral was laughing at me and I actually got more concerned with catching bait than fish:smiley: Guess it is a man thing where it is a matter of WINNING
Funny note she even said she could see the net sinking slowly and suggested I needed a new net that would sink quicker however she took that back when I told her what that net cost but heck I have had it for 10+ years and it is still in great shape
Need a heavy net with fairly large mesh, drops quickly through the water, the fish don’t have time to swim from under it. I have a net specifically for that purpose.
the same net in a 5/8" or 3/4" mesh will do much better. I don’t go for a 3/4" net because the smaller pogies earlier in summer will get gilled up, and you will have a 30 minute PITA on your hands…
I have the following “big” nets that are capable of getting pogies:
a 1/2" mesh 12’ super pro
5/8" mesh 10’ calusa
5/8" mesh 10’ black pearl silver
The 5/8" mesh calusa sinks like a rock compared to the other two and is what I will throw for offshore bait unless I am throwing in the creek in shallow water. Reason I throw the black pearl silver in the creek is because I am getting less per cast normally and don’t want to throw the monster net 10 times to start off a days worth of fishing. The big calusa came after I had the 12’ super pro or else I’d not have the super pro.
As far as catching big pogies in deep water, you are correct, they can see the net. Also, they are faster when they’re bigger this time of year. Try to throw faster and accurately (net needs to hit the water immediately when you see one flip) and lead your throws. Throw a few feet ahead of where you see the flip and the net needs to be coming forward and out your hands when the ripples from the flip are still visible! A good thing to think about is to try to get the back edge of your net landing where you saw one flip and have the rest of the net over where you know the school was going. Deeper water is also tricky with your timing of when you close the net too. When you feel them, you need to be drawing it up and pulling them in. If you wait too long, you will actually give them a chance to swim out the bottom as you draw up directly above the net due to your hand line’s angle in the deep water.
You might want to try cutting the motor to let the school come to the top before you cast.
I throw a 7’ double weighted for menhaden. I like the smaller size because I can sling it much farther and suprise the school (can sound if you get the boat to close some days). Thinks it’s 1/2" or 5/8".
the same net in a 5/8" or 3/4" mesh will do much better. I don’t go for a 3/4" net because the smaller pogies earlier in summer will get gilled up, and you will have a 30 minute PITA on your hands…
I have the following “big” nets that are capable of getting pogies:
a 1/2" mesh 12’ super pro
5/8" mesh 10’ calusa
5/8" mesh 10’ black pearl silver
The 5/8" mesh calusa sinks like a rock compared to the other two and is what I will throw for offshore bait unless I am throwing in the creek in shallow water. Reason I throw the black pearl silver in the creek is because I am getting less per cast normally and don’t want to throw the monster net 10 times to start off a days worth of fishing. The big calusa came after I had the 12’ super pro or else I’d not have the super pro.
As far as catching big pogies in deep water, you are correct, they can see the net. Also, they are faster when they’re bigger this time of year. Try to throw faster and accurately (net needs to hit the water immediately when you see one flip) and lead your throws. Throw a few feet ahead of where you see the flip and the net needs to be coming forward and out your hands when the ripples from the flip are still visible! A good thing to think about is to try to get the back edge of your net landing where you saw one flip and have the rest of the net over where you know the school was going. Deeper water is also tricky with your timing of when you close the net too. When you feel them, you need to be drawing it up and pulling them in. If you wait too long, you will actually give them a chance to swim out the bottom as you draw up directly above the net due to your hand line’s angle in the deep water.
Guess it is a man thing where it is a matter of WINNING