I know this isn’t the shrimping forum but I didn’t think it would get much attention this time of year. My question is if you can but nets already with the extra weight needed to get the net down or do you have to make additions to a regular cast net? How much extra weight is needed? Thanks for any serious replies.
You either have to buy one that is rigged for it (taped and weighted) or tape one of your own. You might want to check out youtube for a how to on the ladder. The manufactured ones are expensive but hold up over time compared to a home job.
Mesh size and line strength have as much of a factor as lbs/rad-ft. I have 1/2 mesh nets with 1.75 lbs/ft that sink slower than 5/8 with 1 lb/ft. The smaller the mesh, the more drag. Same is true for the line used to make netting.
22’ Carolina DLV - For Reel
Call Tim Wade and have a custom net made
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Originally posted by CraigI know this isn’t the shrimping forum but I didn’t think it would get much attention this time of year. My question is if you can but nets already with the extra weight needed to get the net down or do you have to make additions to a regular cast net? How much extra weight is needed? Thanks for any serious replies.
Craig, I have over 30 shrimping cast nets. 11 of them are Tim Wade nets, several Betts, and the rest Fitec. Wade nets are indeed good quality, but the best bang for the buck for deep holes nets are the Fitec gs-1000 and gs-1500 with tape. They open very well, and the tape width works well to keep the net open. I recommend beginners start with an 8’ net, and work up to a 12’. I do cast net charters so I spend a lot of time teaching folks how to throw a net. Betts also has a taped net series, but I have not had as much success with it.
22’ Carolina DLV - For Reel
Just keep in mine a good deep hole is like twice the weight of most cast nets. My buddies is like 40 lbs and you feel it throwing and pulling it.
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Originally posted by 40inchredsJust keep in mine a good deep hole is like twice the weight of most cast nets. My buddies is like 40 lbs and you feel it throwing and pulling it.
40inchreds, from my experience and preference I respectfully disagree with this. Most cast nets were developed for bait fish casting. When casting for fish in deep water you need a net that sinks quickly for several reasons. 1- most bait fish do not sit and school at or near the bottom, and 2 - most bait fish can and do swim down and away from a net falling from above into them. To get bait fish on the surface of deep water, a heavy net with no tape (say1.75 lbs/radft) will sink fast and close quickly into a bell shape trapping the fish until either the weights hit the bottom, or the caster pulls hard on the hand line to collapse the net.
For deeper schooling fish, net designers added the tape to keep the net open longer as it sinks.
Now to the Shrimp. Shrimp are very fast, but they tend to “swim” out and up. They are not good at escaping down from a falling net nor are they expert at sensing an approaching net (they are fantastic at seeing surface movement of the caster). Shrimp also tend to cluster near the bottom of deep water. These characteristic makes the sink speed of the net less important than how open the net is.
I had the chance a few years ago to throw several different nets in a 35ft deep diving pool. It was amazing to see the difference between a taped and non taped net, and between 1, 1.5, and 1.75 lbs/ft.
My preferences when shrimping
If you have to content with heavy wind, go with more weight.
In shallow water (say baiting) and dealing with current go with more weight
Other wise use the lightest net that will fully open as net area tends to be key in all situations, and as you pointed out, th
Just some numbers deep hole nets are usually 8 to 12 ft and 1.75 lb per ft to 2.25 usually. Most normal (bait) cast nets are 5 to 8ft and 1.25 to 1.5 lbs per ft. Your throwing in 25ft plus of water the lighter the net and smaller the holes the more drift and net closer. The nets react different with a little current. A light small holed net closes on its self in the current even when taped in my experience. If you throw a small holed net in calm water you dont even need tape, it stays open on its own. My buddy has a net that is 3.25 and 10ft. Its pretty much legendary. Hes had 4 others some were fitecs. He doesnt throw it really he does a type of drop cast and lets the net do the rest. He also wont deep hole with a net smaller then a 10 anymore.
No disrespect or anything intended this is just what i know from looking at nets and getting info from him. I will admit i have little experience and knowledge on this subject. The more info the better and i appreciate your response.
40inchreds, no disrespect taken what so ever. I see people throwing heavy nets all the time as do I in heavy winds and/or current. My heaviest is a 14 ft, 5/8”, 2lbs/ft, so the net weights a little more than 30lbs.
For me, I Shrimp about 3 time a week from July to November and the cooler gets filled faster with a 1lb/ft net than a 1.5 or 2 of the same radius. Maybe I’m just getting too old to throw the heavier net 10 or 20 times in a row to fill a cooler. I’m also very certain many people also have very valid preference that differ from mine.
Again, no disrespect intended, just the experience of someone that teaches and charters cast net throwing.
22’ Carolina DLV - For Reel
Oh, and sorry Craig! Now we have probably confused the heck out of you.
22’ Carolina DLV - For Reel