I have a 6 ft 3/8 cast net I use for shrimp/mullet. I bought it about a year ago at Wally World, (don’t remember the brand) and it’s starting to get some holes (about 3 right now) along the bottom where the weights and netting are all attached.
My question for the group: Is this worth trying to repair myself (I have no idea how to do so), get it repaired by someone else, or just buy a new net?
I don’t want to spend a bunch of time trying to repair it to learn that I did so incorrectly.
Thanks
I would repair it until its no longer worthwhile and then get a new one. You can tie 10 or 12 pound mono fishing line to make the repairs. Works ok for me. I have some nets I keep on patching, no need to get rid of just yet.
I hung mine up on a mystery object near the ramp. Couple of big holes and several small ones. I did the 10# mono treatment as I wouldn’t have lost anything if it didn’t work other than about an hour. Not the prettiest job, but landing me about 4 dozen minnows in 3 casts the next day.
Will probably buy a new one (Tim Wade if the gf is reading) for shrimp season though.
If you are just using it to catch bait shrimp/mullet then I would spread it out on the floor or where ever you have enough room and a cool place out of the heat and patch it up.If you are using that mesh size for shrimp baiting,you need a bigger mesh size.
I have some spools of braided nylon 20 lb. line I fished with before braid came out. It works great for net repair. Furthermore, braided dacron line works well also. It’s all very time consuming, good for a rainy day. Tight lines?
The mono fishing line method isnt perfect but it works ok, very time consuming though, definately take a day when its raining outside and get it done. Seems like most people get rips and tears in their nets after use. The lead weights and strings holding them seem to come loose on their own as well. That may be the most annoying part, moreso than the rips, which are easier to tie than the weights.
Dental floss works great - just double knot each tie. It will not come undone. I keep some in my tackle box and in my shrimping bag.
I have used the Cajun line too - it is easier to see what you are doing. I found with any mono use a double knot. Then when you are done I went back and put a drop of super glue on each knot. Knots are much easier to see with red line.
I had a ray trash my 8’ shrimping net on the 3rd cast a few years back. It has about 140 stitches in it - adds character to the net! LOL It still works and is going strong.
