08-15-2011, 11:54 PM
[cool][#0000ff]For someone just getting started at throwing a cast net I would suggest maybe an 8 footer...and the 3/8 mesh is okay as a starter. Once you get used to the net...and if you decide you really do want to catch more of the smaller minnows...you can upgrade. It is usually easy to sell a slightly used net with no major damage for a slightly discounted price.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The biggest hazard to nets is not small tears but throwing them into waters that you don't know what the bottom conditions are. Those weights dive into cracks and crannies...and find brush and stickups. And once they are lodged you either have to tear up the net (if you are strong enough) or just leave it. Of course you can also go diving but you have to be careful not to get tangled in the net while trying to free it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you do get a small tear in the mesh you can repair it fairly easily with some monofilament and a couple of granny knots. No biggie. Major tears might require more professional repairs...if you want your net to remain functional.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The story about the kid and the kitty was a bit vague. Actually, the kid and his dad were part of a large "group" that were harvesting everything they caught and did not appear to have a lot of refinements...like cameras. In fact, most of them were flinging makeshift handlines. I suspect they were not all fishing completely legal-like...with licenses and such. But the F&G officer on the other side of the channel didn't seem too anxious to cross over and confront them. Might have had a language problem with most of them. But they were very generous in sharing their loud music and left a goodly amount of "souvenirs" for other anglers to enjoy in the future.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The biggest hazard to nets is not small tears but throwing them into waters that you don't know what the bottom conditions are. Those weights dive into cracks and crannies...and find brush and stickups. And once they are lodged you either have to tear up the net (if you are strong enough) or just leave it. Of course you can also go diving but you have to be careful not to get tangled in the net while trying to free it.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If you do get a small tear in the mesh you can repair it fairly easily with some monofilament and a couple of granny knots. No biggie. Major tears might require more professional repairs...if you want your net to remain functional.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The story about the kid and the kitty was a bit vague. Actually, the kid and his dad were part of a large "group" that were harvesting everything they caught and did not appear to have a lot of refinements...like cameras. In fact, most of them were flinging makeshift handlines. I suspect they were not all fishing completely legal-like...with licenses and such. But the F&G officer on the other side of the channel didn't seem too anxious to cross over and confront them. Might have had a language problem with most of them. But they were very generous in sharing their loud music and left a goodly amount of "souvenirs" for other anglers to enjoy in the future.[/#0000ff]
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