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Castnets, now there's a topic open to a different opinion from each person asked. 
The two major castnet styles around these parts are the English style net, aka long brail net and the Spanish style net, aka pocket net, aka short brail net.
The English style net has long brails that go from the leadline, through the horn, to a large swivel, to the hand line. As the net is pulled back in by the hand line, the brails pull the leadline up to the horn forming the whole net into a big pocket, bagging the fish.
The Spanish style net has a built in pocket and no horn. The short brails go from the leadline to the webbing of the net forming a permanent bag in the bottom of the net.
Which is better depends on who you ask, more than anything else.
Size of the net is measured by the radius with nets ranging from 3'-14'. 14' being the largest legal size. Personally, I find small nets very difficult to throw well.
Mesh size depends on the size fish you want to catch.
I'm currently throwing a 9', 1" mesh, Spanish style, monofilament net, with a 24' hand line for mullet.
I have been told that the commercial guys over toward Pensacola tend to prefer a 12', 1" mesh, nylon, pocket net. Which is probably what my next net is going to be. With a longer hand line than is on my current net.
I suggest, the best net to start with is a cheap one. The mechanics of throwing castnets are the same regardless if it's a cheap commercially made one or a good handmade net and it won't hurt as bad if you throw a cheap net over the oyster covered rocks you didn't know were there.
The really good handmade nets can run into many Dineros.
Maybe some of the other guys can go into how much weight a net of a given size should have.
The two major castnet styles around these parts are the English style net, aka long brail net and the Spanish style net, aka pocket net, aka short brail net.
The English style net has long brails that go from the leadline, through the horn, to a large swivel, to the hand line. As the net is pulled back in by the hand line, the brails pull the leadline up to the horn forming the whole net into a big pocket, bagging the fish.
The Spanish style net has a built in pocket and no horn. The short brails go from the leadline to the webbing of the net forming a permanent bag in the bottom of the net.
Which is better depends on who you ask, more than anything else.
Size of the net is measured by the radius with nets ranging from 3'-14'. 14' being the largest legal size. Personally, I find small nets very difficult to throw well.
Mesh size depends on the size fish you want to catch.
I'm currently throwing a 9', 1" mesh, Spanish style, monofilament net, with a 24' hand line for mullet.
I have been told that the commercial guys over toward Pensacola tend to prefer a 12', 1" mesh, nylon, pocket net. Which is probably what my next net is going to be. With a longer hand line than is on my current net.
I suggest, the best net to start with is a cheap one. The mechanics of throwing castnets are the same regardless if it's a cheap commercially made one or a good handmade net and it won't hurt as bad if you throw a cheap net over the oyster covered rocks you didn't know were there.
The really good handmade nets can run into many Dineros.
Maybe some of the other guys can go into how much weight a net of a given size should have.
, welcome to the forum..A year and you will be hooked on this place- The Big Bend area that is. If you do leave, it'll probably be to make more money, so you can come back.. -
CAPTAIN CHARLIE
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- Posts: 188
- Joined: November 5th, 2003, 10:41 pm
LETS GO
WELCOME.
I'd be happy to have you aboard. I'm not taking and charters for the winter but I dish several times a week. Give me a call. I'm about 25 minutes from your house at Oyster Bay. Got lots of room. Fishing this time of year isn't as easy as in the summer but what the hell. Just bring your eats and drinks. I don't need the money. Let's get together.
See you on the water.
I'd be happy to have you aboard. I'm not taking and charters for the winter but I dish several times a week. Give me a call. I'm about 25 minutes from your house at Oyster Bay. Got lots of room. Fishing this time of year isn't as easy as in the summer but what the hell. Just bring your eats and drinks. I don't need the money. Let's get together.
See you on the water.
FLAT BROKE CHARTERS (RETIRED)
VERY AFFORDABLE FLATS FISHING
U.S.C.G. MASTERS LISC. AUX. SAIL
850 893-1050 cell 212-0660
VERY AFFORDABLE FLATS FISHING
U.S.C.G. MASTERS LISC. AUX. SAIL
850 893-1050 cell 212-0660