Last updated on October 12th, 2023
Knowing how to throw a cast net is a skill that can come in handy. A cast net is an excellent way to catch small baits. While there are numerous ways to throw cast nets, there is no right or wrong way. The techniques vary depending on the type of catch or fishing.
What can be the difference is that some methods are better than others. If you know how to throw a cast net for baits, you can catch more baitfish during a long kayak or boat day fishing out on a river, lake, or ocean.
We are about to show you the easy steps on how to throw a cast net, with simple easy-to-follow instructions. Here is how to throw a cast net for 8, 10, 12 ft for beginner and experienced anglers. The whole process is easy and smooth if you use the right method and tips.
Selecting The Right Preparation Spot
This is the most important step anglers should do before they learn how to throw a cast net. They should look for a favorite steady spot and set up the net by making it ready for throwing.
This works well and you can cast the next like a pro for many years. After this, most people hold the yoke in the left hand, release the remaining part into the air, flip the entire net to set any folded sections free.
This helps the cast net lay well on the water when thrown. Doing this procedure wrong makes it difficult for the cast net to stretch above the hot spots of fishing fully.
Using one power hand, hold the large cast net by the center. The distance between the yoke and the hand and the leaded weights line should be the same.
This will enable equal distribution of the net on the water without a part laying over the other. In case the cast net lays over the other, you might miss capturing enough fish worth the struggle.
Attaching The Hand Loop to Your Left Wrist
You begin with placing the end of the rope to your left wrist. There should be an adjustable hand loop at the end of the hand line that you can attach comfortably to your wrist.
The attachment should not be too tight just in case of an emergency. There are many cases where good people get pulled under by the net only because the rope was attached to the wrist too tight.
However, the attachment should be tight and secure enough not to slip off your hand when you throw the net onto the water. The enclosure is what keeps you from losing your cast net into other places.
Looping The Handline Over The Left Hand
Once attach the loop at the end on the hand line on your left wrist, you should proceed to make about one foot fewer coils with the handline over your left hand. Do not make loops that are too tight if you want the net to deploy correctly when you release it onto the water.
To coil it the ideal way, you need to wrap the rope across your palm and fall sluggishly over the back of the hand a couple of times until you reach the net’s horn. You will put the cast net on your left hand and let it go around it towards your direction.
This should be like the rope is coming towards your chest around your hand. Make sure you do not do it too tightly to avoid accidents and for your safety. If it is tight and secure, you can be pulled into the water while throwing the net and end up drowning.
Aligning The Right Parts
When you have coiled the hand line until you reach the horn of the net, grip it with your left hand. It is even better when you are grabbing it about one radius foot before the horn to make it more manageable or work great. The horn is the uppermost part of the cast net, where there is a small metal ring connecting the net to the hand line.
You will be having a point connected to the wrist, the coiled hand line, and the horn all in your left hand. Your right-hand grab will help put everything in position, including placing the necessary sections into your left hand.
The next procedure is to divide the lower lead line into two sections. One section of the lead line should be in the hand while the other section of the lead line should be dangling downwards towards the deck. From there, you proceed to tie the rope on the left hand.
This time around, however, you are moving it in the opposite direction from the earlier. It should now be tied away from the chest. The line and weight do not fold into each other to make sure the cast net spreads when thrown.
Set Up Your Throw
Use your right hand to gather the remaining sections of the coiled net at its midpoint. You should grab the net below your waist, but if you want to throw the net further, you should hand grab it closer to your knees. This is where you split your cast net into half.
To do this, press the net halfway between the loaded weight and the horn. Make sure you straighten out the net all through from the horn down to the weight by passing it through your right hand to ensure it does not twist.
You should check again that the horn is still positioned just outside the left hand. Likewise, you need to confirm that the weights in their skirt-like form are resting on the deck directly under your right hand.
That way, you will have effectively split the net midway, which will make it easier to manage and get into a location for a more successful throw. The lead and the weights will appear to be on the same level when you view them in a reverse location, away from you. Hold the line just where it drops at the center and make that the central part of the net.
The Entire Net Comes to The Left Hand
As you transfer to your left palm, the part of your net in your right hand, the net will create another loop that will hang loosely outside the coiled rope on your hand. That way, you will eventually be beholding the entire net, including the hand line in your left hand.
You should ensure both sections of your net in your left hand are not crossing over each other because if they do, throwing the net might not happen well. It will also help you watch for twists too.
Keeping the Weighted Skirt in The Right Position
Carefully put the rope of the net in between the teeth, get a grip, and ignore its own weight. Reach down and grab the unweighted section of the mesh size with your right arm and clamp it between the teeth.
This will help to enhance the experience. This may sound strange to some people, but it will surely help keep the skirt-like part in the right location.
If you are not in for the teeth idea, you may allow the portion to lay freely on your left hand before throwing. However, it would be best if you remembered that using the teeth is the standard technique for throwing a 4-foot cast net and others.
Now that you have the net in place, get the right hand to hold the lead that is away from you towards the ground.
Grab the part of the lead line that is hanging from your teeth. Use the inside of your free hand to lift the lead line and rest it in the fingers’ crease so that the skirt opens fully up and expands when you release and throw it onto the shallow water or deep water.
Throwing The Cast Net
When casting, do not twist your body when even throwing a smaller net. It should maintain an upright posture. At this point, you are now ready to throw the mesh size into the water and catch fish.
You should see the net layout well on the deeper water, just like a mat on dry land. Apply energy and flip the net suddenly as you swing the upper part of your body.
The sudden flipping makes the net spread out, releasing any folds. The net portion then becomes straight from the middle to one side.
Make sure to maintain the position of the lower body. It is not necessary to move the net forward. At times, you will be required to move your feet a step back or forth to maintain balance.
The net spreads on the water in a natural motion, and the weights go ahead to do the trick so that you can capture the aquatic animals.
Practice frequently on this tactic and get good products to enhance your skills on throwing cast nets. Please do it again and again until you are perfect with a good throw and it will swing open.
You can check for a cast net video to get more tips on how to throw a casting net. Always move the upper body only to the rhythm of throwing the nets. The left-handed people can do the procedure in reverse, replacing the left shoulder with the right side and vice versa.
Cast Nest Throwing Tips for Beginners and Pro Anglers
Learning how to throw a cast net properly is crucial. To get better results, it is important to pay attention to the following cast net throwing tips.
- It is not always how hard to try to throw, it all about the techniques on how to cast a cast net.
- Preparation is critical- Always prepare and it will make it easy to throw a cast net.
- When it comes to how to cast a cast net, hold the net before you throw it.
- No need to open the net when throwing, it will eventually open itself.
- The type of motion your body makes will make the net open.
- Ensure that you keep your lower body in the same place.
- When throwing the net, always lead it with your dominant arm.
- Keep throwing until the net opens and practice more times.
- Always ensure you buy the right cast net and this will help you catch more bait.
Pro Tips on How to Choose a Cast Net
Once you understand how to throw a cast net, it is also crucial to know how to choose the right one. There are different types of cast nets and they vary depending on the size, setup, radius, and other top-quality things. We have included expert tips that will help you when buying a cast net.
Consider Net Sizes
One of the top recommendations you should consider when selecting a sat net is the size. You can get a wide range of recreational cast nets in a radius size of 3-10 feet.
If you need to know how to throw a 6′ cast net, then you should choose a cast net with a 6-foot radius. Such net types open up to 12 feet in diameter when you throw them.
Your skill level will determine the size of the casting net to buy. If you are starting out, then you should avoid throwing in places that you want to cast on.
Quality Construction
Another essential consideration to check is the nest construction. Different types of nets have various constructions. You can either choose an eight-panel, six-panel, or bullseye construction design. Based on the type of construction you need, you can either pick any of them.
Mesh Size
This refers to the spacing in the net. The mesh size varies and it has an effect on the baitfish that you intend to catch. You can either select a smaller or a bigger one. The most common sizes available are ¼ inch mesh, 3/8-inch mesh, ½ inch mesh, and 5/8-inch mesh.
Weight
When throwing casting nets, it is crucial to consider the weight. The net’s weight is measured in pounds per foot and this indicates how fast the net will sink. Casting nets that are heavy sink faster but need more work. Lighter nets sink slower and they need less work to throw. The downside of heavier nets is that they tire you, especially with repeated throws.
Net Material
Do you need a nylon or monofilament net? We recommend a monofilament net because it tangles easily and it doesn’t absorb water. This type of net also sinks faster compared to nylon. The net is also less seen in the water.
Legal Considerations
When buying casting nets, always consider the legal requirements in your state. There is always the maximum size of the net that is regulated in different places and areas. Make sure your state allows using cast nets and consider the largest size that you can choose since there are limitations.
Final Verdict
Finally, now you know how to throw a cast net and how to keep the net open, and it is as simple as that. Before you try it, everything may seem so arduous, but it is not.
You need to know the right steps to follow when throwing cast nets, and the throw will happen flawlessly. Remember, how well you throw the net will determine your success at catching fish, and you should not take it lightly for that reason.
Now that you have reliable information on how to throw a cast net and answers to your questions, you have no idea how to make the most out of every throw with all other conditions kept in mind.
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