Cast Nets – How To Free A Hung Cast Net

After reading your article about how to throw a cast net several months ago I went and bought a net, learned to throw it from your instructions and started catching my own bait for blue catfish.  Since I started I have hung several nets on something in the water and ruined them completely. I was wondering if you had any tips for what to do when your cast net gets hung up and also any tips on repairing a cast net, or if that can even be done. – TJ, Austin Texas

I am glad have ventured into the realm of learning how to throw a cast net and catching your own shad for bait for catfishing. I’m sorry about you hanging and tearing up your cast nets while catching shad .

Unfortunately when you are using cast nets to catch shad and other forms of bait there is a certain degree of damage that is going to be done to the nets by getting them caught on things underwater. That’s the bad part. The good part is that there are some things that you can do to minimize the damage when you do hang a net up and many times they can be repaired.

First and foremost, let’s start with some basics. Before I get into any of the other topics, proper storage will do a lot to prevent damage, because often times damage occurs before they even leave the boat. I cannot tell you how many times my Digger Anchors have snagged my nets and torn them.

An Ounce Of Prevention – Use The Right Net

I have mentioned many times that I use heavy expensive cast nets in the winter. The first golden rule I can offer you is use the lightest, cheapest net that you can get away with at all times. If you are catching shad in really deep water you will have to use a bigger net with heavier weights and larger mesh. The nest that I use in the winter cost about $125. Nothing wrong at all with having an expensive net like this and throwing it in open water but don’t go and throw it in other areas when you don’t have to. If you are throwing in shallow water (less than ten or even fifteen feet) you don’t need one of these big expensive cast nets to catch bait (see cast nets to catch bait). The cost difference between a deep water and shallow water net can be as much as $100 (or more) so make sure you are using the right net at the right time.

Be Aware

Be aware of where you are throwing and what is around you and when you do get hung up, take note and make sure you stay away from that area in the future if at all possible. Use your graph and watch to see what is under you, look for trees, stumps, brush piles and other obstructions that will hang and tear your nets and try to stay away from them.

CREEKS EAT NETS. There are times when I move into creeks to catch bait because I have to but I generally try to avoid them when possible. They are almost always full of trash, brush, stickups and other underwater obstructions that will do damage.

Sometimes you just have to take a look and decide whether it’s worth it or not and whether or not you want fresh bait. I have one area on one of the lakes I fish that is a “shad honey hole” and I know I can catch bait there any time of the year and in any condition, but I use it as an absolute last resort because about every 4th time I throw there the net comes out looking like swiss cheese. I can catch all the bait I need with one throw but often that one throw is the one that doesn’t hit just right. It’s a toss up but sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. I generally have 2 –3 cast nets of each size prepared (see preparing a net) and ready to throw in my boat at any given time (i.e. 2-3 each deep and shallow water nets).

What To Do When You Do Get Hung

Obviously all I have said to this point is try not to hang your net, and that no matter what you do you will tear up nets so just go ahead and come to terms with it. There is hope though when you do hang one that there are some simple steps that you can take to free them and minimize the damage that is done in the process.

It amazes me when I am on the lakes how many people I see that get their nets hung and don’t know this. It also amazes me the number of people I see that their net hangs and they struggle for a minute and just throw the hand line (see parts of a cast net) over the side of the boat, leaving the net in the water (which is completely irresponsible). If your net does hang up GET WHAT YOU CAN BACK OUT OF THE WATER. No matter what you do you should be able to get it out (I’ll show you how shortly).

This process works well if you are in shallow water but if your in deeper water it minimizes your chance of getting it free, but there are some things you can do in this regard as well.

I’ll walk you through the process in the video below.

Some of the topics I cover in this video are:

• Some of the common items you get snagged on
• The first thing you should look for when you get snagged
• The first step to try to free things up
• How to release the net when you are in shallower water to minimize damage
• What to do as a last resort and you cannot get the net free (involves a boat cleat)
• Some of the common damages that occur

In a future article I will cover how to repair the damage when it does occcur.

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