I have never thrown one but plan on learning fast and watched a few videos online... Doesn't seem to bad but seems there is 30 different ways to throw it... Any tips or suggestions on like where to throw it in relation to the fish?? Directly on top or maybe a tad in front of them in the direction there swimming etc??? Totally new to this part of the game... After seeing 12 billion shad last week at hole 33 I figured it was good time to pick up a net and try my luck lol....Also whats your favorite way or the easiest you found to throw them...
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Not tryen to be a dbag but you cant use a 6' at lake mead no bigger than 4' is the rules according to the fish bible. Lots of helpful vids on youtube on net throwing[cool]
on anothor note I woke up this morning to go fishing, loaded my gear and decided its just too damn cold[frown]
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The bible says 3ft from center ring to Lead core that's a 6ft net so it should be legal from my understanding???? I haven't opened it so I can return it but I think I'm good... Let's hear some thoughts on that also if you know the answer...
What I pulled from ndow..
About NDOW News & Media
Press Releases | On the Wildside of Life - Radio & TV
Date: 9/03/09
Contact: Chris Pietrafeso
Phone: 702-486-5127 x 3850
CAST NETS FOR LAKE MEAD SHAD
Anglers fishing for striped bass at Lake Mead use a variety of baits from top-water lures to cut anchovies or sardines, but those who can catch them use threadfin shad. These small, silvery fish are the lake’s natural forage fish and are therefore an excellent choice for striper bait. After all, it only makes sense to use what the fish are eating.
“Using live shad goes along with the match-the-hatch philosophy of most fly fishermen. When stripers are keying in on shad why not give them want the want? But remember, live shad may only be used in Lake Mead, Lake Mohave and the Colorado River within Clark County,” said Doug Nielsen, Conservation Education Division supervisor for the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW).
The hard part about using live shad for bait is catching them in the first place. To catch these quick little fish, anglers can use a variety of legal techniques, but the most common approach is to use a cast net. With a little practice anglers can become very adept at throwing these nets. The best time to catch shad with a cast net is when they are ‘cruising the shallows.’
Cast nets are available in many sizes, but only those with a radius of three feet or less are legal in Nevada. That means it can measure no more than three feet from the horn to the lead line on the perimeter of the net. The horn on the cast net is the center ring and the lead line is the rope edge to which weights are tied. While it is illegal to use cast nets with a radius larger than three feet, it is not against the law for retailers to sell them. That means anglers need to double check the details on product packaging before making their purchase.
“A common mistake people make is purchasing nets without checking the local regulations and relying on the retailers to sell the appropriate size net. They typically purchase nets that are three and a half or four feet long. Unfortunately, that mistake can lead to a fine of more than $100,” said Karen Welden, a NDOW game warden.
Another consideration when purchasing a cast net is the size of holes in the mesh used in making the net. Anglers who want to catch bait in a variety of sizes should go with 3/8-inch or smaller mesh. When pursuing larger bait, half-inch mesh is a good choice because it allows smaller fish to swim through. It’s also a good idea to have an extra net just in case something happens to the first.
To make their new cast nets easier to throw, some experienced fishermen season their net. This can be done by spreading the entire net out, securing the edges with nails, and letting it set anywhere from a few hours to an entire day. Some anglers soak their nets in hot water and fabric softener to make the net relax and then spread it out to dry.
After the net has been thus prepared it is time to practice throwing it. This can be done somewhere close to home. All that is needed is an open area in the backyard or at a nearby park where there is plenty of room. How-to tips can be found online or from an expert at the local tackle shop. It might take a few days to develop the technique that causes the net to open completely when thrown. Patience is the key to success.
Since live shad are more productive than dead shad, it’s best to keep them in a livewell or bucket with a good aerator. As long as the shad receive consistent oxygen and shade from the sun, they should stay fresh for an entire day of fishing.
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing.
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I guess everybody reads the bible a little differently… personally I don’t bait fish for stripers maybe someone else can chime in on their understanding of the cast net size reg…I thought it was no bigger than 4’…look at the date on that article I think the regs have changed since then…
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good luck live lining one of these stinky suckers...[cool][cool][cool]
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It's 4 feet from "Horn to Leadline"
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Thou shall not use anything bigger than a 4ft radius net...
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So a 6 foot radius is no good?? Looking at whizzels pic I would call that a 8 foot net it's 4 foot from horn to lead core that's a 8 foot circle.. Sorry for being such a pita just don't want to open it if I have to return it... So what your saying is my net will measure 12ft from side to side when open??
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4 foot from horn to lead core that's a 8 foot circle.
Nets are generally labeled from horn to lead core. If it is labeled 6' that is probably illegal in Lake Mead. If it is labeled 3', 3'1/2", or 4' it should be okay. A 3' net is the easiest to toss because it is smaller. It is great for tossing in tight areas, but shad swim under it in deeper water. A 3' is best used to pin shad against the bottom in shallow water. A 4' net is harder to toss than a 3' net because it is bigger, but because it is bigger it is better because shad have a harder time swimming out from under it as it sinks. Anglers who toss large illegal nets in Lake Mead have a huge advantage when taking live shad. However, I think most anglers do follow the rules regarding nets. Sorry I'm rambling.
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This is what was caught this morning in the net!
BaySport
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I dont know what ur not understanding.. so I will just say use what u want, ull figure it out. [pirate]
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I feel ya man... Just confusing when you look at it from horn to lead 4ft that's a 8ft circle.. Just did some research I see a 6ft opens to 12... I will return it today when I get out of this stupid job connect thingy...arrrr. Thanks for clearing that up for me...[fishon]
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this is from the bottom of page 12 in the bible
"In the Southern Region, while fishing the waters of Lake Mead, Lake Mohave and the Colorado River, a licensed person may purchase live baitfish from a licensed bait dealer in Arizona, California or Nevada, or he may for his own use, take such baitfish with a dipnet, a cast net with a
radius not exceeding four feet from horn to leadline, a seine not exceeding 10 feet in length and four feet in width, or a minnow trap not exceeding 12 inches in width, 12 inches in depth and 24 inches in length. In all other waters of this region, the capture, possession while fishing or use of fish as bait, whether dead or alive, or parts thereof, other than preserved salmon eggs, is prohibited"
also here is a good step by step on throwing a cast net. it worked for me. good luck out there
http://youtu.be/lOUkj2h2LjI
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I just got home from bass pro shops I returned it and got a old salt 4' net with 3/8" mesh... Now I'm good according to every thing I have read and the posts above... Now I gotta learn how to throw the dang thang haha.... Thanks for the link sincity..
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Remember to follow thru with your throws.
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Ya I got figured out pretty well now... Took about 5 throws to get a nice circle every time but it was always inside out.. After about 15 more throws I figured out what I was doing wrong... I can toss it pretty good from what I can tell... Hits the ground and rolls up kind of so I can't say it's a perfect cast but it's a decent size circle every time.. Not fully expanded but It will only get better as I go I hope...
. Hope to try it out this week some time prolly Friday since my son is out of school....
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