03-18-2004, 12:03 PM
[cool][blue][size 1]Sorry, do not have any made up at present. But, there are a couple of designs you can make with the nylon mesh. [/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]One, is to make something like the old wire minnow trap...with a funnel on one or both ends. It requires a couple of plastic or wire hoops...to keep the ends spread open. Actually, that style works better with chicken wire or screen.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The simplest design is to make a variation of the old round hoop net used by crab fishermen for fishing from piers. I can draw you a diagram if you need one. Basically, it consists of using only the bottom foot or so of a large mesh bag. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I made my last one from the bottom of a small mesh landing net i found discarded with a broken handle. It already had a metal support ring around the edge. To make one from a mesh bag, you will need some metal wire or tubing to provide weight and support to keep the top edge open.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Once you have your mesh bag stitched to the ring, take three or four pieces of heavy mono or braided line and tie them at balancing points around the ring. Finally, bring them up and tie them all together in a spot centered in the middle of the net. These will serve to keep the net upright and level.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Some folks like to finish that off with a ring, to which they either attach a small rope or heavy fishing line.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]You bait the net with fish heads (where legal), a piece of chicken or any other delectable bait. Good idea to have a small mesh bag in the bottom to put it in. Makes the bait last longer and keeps the dads from walking off with it. Also a good idea to have a small weight on the bottom of the bag.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]This is a good rig for dropping over the side of docks, or the side of your boat. If you want to set a few, rig them with a short line and a float on the end. Set them out and then pick them up periodically.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Down in "Nawlins (New Orleans), some of the locals set up a half dozen of these things along the shore, each tied to the end of a stout cane pale. They move up and down the bank, hoisting the baited hoops up and out and dumping the dads in a big tub.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The key to success is to lift the hoops quickly when you want to check them. The dads first try to dive to the bottom, but may also try to swim up and out. The mesh tends to entangle them better than wire, but you can't let them take time to figure out an escape plan.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]When the bugs are thick, you can lift the net every couple of minutes and have success. If they are more sparse, it may require longer to collect a few.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]That same hoop on a stick contraption also works to put under bugs you have on the end of a line, to insure that they do not drop off and get away.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]If you can make one of three feet or so, with the fine mesh, you can also use it for getting minnows in shallow water. You set it out, wait for some minnows to congregate, toss some bread crumbs on the water...over the net...to bring them in and keep them occupied...then hoist the net quickly to catch them. Larger versions of that idea are used a lot around the country and in salt water.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]As I said, I have been playing around with netting creations for awhile. I also have some nifty black nylon netting I got at a local military surplus store. I have made both fish baskets and 'dad traps with it. I am not a professional with a needle and thread, but with a heavy needle and some black rod building thread I have been able to fashion some suitable creations...if not beautiful.[/size][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][size 1]One, is to make something like the old wire minnow trap...with a funnel on one or both ends. It requires a couple of plastic or wire hoops...to keep the ends spread open. Actually, that style works better with chicken wire or screen.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The simplest design is to make a variation of the old round hoop net used by crab fishermen for fishing from piers. I can draw you a diagram if you need one. Basically, it consists of using only the bottom foot or so of a large mesh bag. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]I made my last one from the bottom of a small mesh landing net i found discarded with a broken handle. It already had a metal support ring around the edge. To make one from a mesh bag, you will need some metal wire or tubing to provide weight and support to keep the top edge open.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Once you have your mesh bag stitched to the ring, take three or four pieces of heavy mono or braided line and tie them at balancing points around the ring. Finally, bring them up and tie them all together in a spot centered in the middle of the net. These will serve to keep the net upright and level.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Some folks like to finish that off with a ring, to which they either attach a small rope or heavy fishing line.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]You bait the net with fish heads (where legal), a piece of chicken or any other delectable bait. Good idea to have a small mesh bag in the bottom to put it in. Makes the bait last longer and keeps the dads from walking off with it. Also a good idea to have a small weight on the bottom of the bag.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]This is a good rig for dropping over the side of docks, or the side of your boat. If you want to set a few, rig them with a short line and a float on the end. Set them out and then pick them up periodically.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Down in "Nawlins (New Orleans), some of the locals set up a half dozen of these things along the shore, each tied to the end of a stout cane pale. They move up and down the bank, hoisting the baited hoops up and out and dumping the dads in a big tub.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]The key to success is to lift the hoops quickly when you want to check them. The dads first try to dive to the bottom, but may also try to swim up and out. The mesh tends to entangle them better than wire, but you can't let them take time to figure out an escape plan.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]When the bugs are thick, you can lift the net every couple of minutes and have success. If they are more sparse, it may require longer to collect a few.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]That same hoop on a stick contraption also works to put under bugs you have on the end of a line, to insure that they do not drop off and get away.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]If you can make one of three feet or so, with the fine mesh, you can also use it for getting minnows in shallow water. You set it out, wait for some minnows to congregate, toss some bread crumbs on the water...over the net...to bring them in and keep them occupied...then hoist the net quickly to catch them. Larger versions of that idea are used a lot around the country and in salt water.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]As I said, I have been playing around with netting creations for awhile. I also have some nifty black nylon netting I got at a local military surplus store. I have made both fish baskets and 'dad traps with it. I am not a professional with a needle and thread, but with a heavy needle and some black rod building thread I have been able to fashion some suitable creations...if not beautiful.[/size][/#0000ff]
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