Night on Fire

[SkunkedAgain]

Man what a night 37 crappie, 9 bass and 91 carp in an hour and 15 minutes. It was totally hot. Oh did I mention I was using a casting net and catching minnows. It was fun anyway. Later J
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[albinotrout]

First thought that came to me was you're burning your fields. Then I was about to call BS until I saw that you were using a net.[laugh]. Nice one.[bobhappy]
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[SkunkedAgain]

Yup that was a little better than my usual ability, but the minnows are close to shore and they weren't thick but I got 5 or 6 per throw so it added up. I also got the two big carp in the net and the game warden told me I couldn't return them alive so they became cut bait. Oh I forgot I got a 6" bluegill too. All game fish were immediately released. Most fish caught were less than 5" long. It was fun to be able to catch minnows that way, but I started getting lots of twisted nets at the end. I'm not sure what was going wrong. Anyway sorry to be too deceitful. Later J
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[CoyoteSpinner]

Had me hooked mate! But - no hooks involved. Were you at a launch that the warden was there to keep tabs?

Maybe the twists were after so many carp you weren't so keen on holding the net in your teeth! Ha - should haul mine out. Now you've got a big mesh, no? I went with the 1/4 inch. Still a spaz when it comes to pitching the beast.

So - got some cats enjoying your haul? Now if you can get the whiskery slimy kind interested...

[albinotrout]

[quote SkunkedAgain]. Anyway sorry to be too deceitful. Later J[/quote]


It's all in fun![bobhappy]
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[TyeDyeTwins]

You had me going there! []
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[SkunkedAgain]

Hey Yote, yup I was at the marina. I did get the 3/8" mesh and this was the first time it wasn't too big. The crappie kept getting stuck in the net but they slipped on through okay. Wasn't a haul like you made on the minnows, but I got 7 bags for as many trips I hope. I wish I could get the slimy kitties as interested as the furry ones were. Somehow the minnows this size didn't get as much attention as I had hoped last Saturday. I've thrown that net a lot of times before, but this was the first time I was able to catch some. Must be condition related it wasn't skill. Anyway it was nice to get some bait. Later J
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[SkunkedAgain]

Now that is one time I didn't want my picture inline, would have given my punch line away way too quick. It was really kind of fun tossing the net out and getting surprised by what was in it. Always wanted to do that since I seen it done in Florida while I was on my mission. They used to catch shrimp and mullet down there. Anyway well catch ya later. J
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[TyeDyeTwins]

Shrimp sound a lot more tastier than those carp minnows!
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[SkunkedAgain]

That's for sure, and I doubt the shrimp stink as bad either. If I remember right they would use lanterns at night to attract the shrimp and then net them. Always sounded fun, but I didn't get to do it then. Later J
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[wiperhunter2]

Nice haul Jeff, I've thought about trying a casting net for minnows a few times but have never done it, looks like fun. How big is your casting net?
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[SkunkedAgain]

I just got the small net I believe it was 4' diameter by 3/8" mesh. It's easier to cast a small one, but likely doesn't catch as much. They really are fun, but keep looking on u tube to find a video to teach you how to cast the net. You don't have to use your teeth like John mentioned. It takes some practice but it eventually comes. It's more fun than catching night crawlers and I kind of like doing that. I'm weird I know. Later J
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]There is a wide range of casting nets available. The cheap ones are usually worth what you pay. Maximum size allowable in Utah is 10 foot diameter...or 5' radius. That is plenty big for most minnow catching needs.

A 3/8 inch mesh will catch minnows down to about 3 or 4"...but smaller ones will either get out of the mesh or get "gilled"...and you have to clean them out before you can throw the new effectively again. The 1/4 inch mesh cost a bit more but will catch even the small minnows...just right for ice fishing or tipping jigs.

Here is a writeup showing how to throw the smaller nets. You don't need to put any part of the net in your mouth. That can be nasty when getting minnows from some waters. Good way to end up with girardia too.
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[MasterDaad]

I'm glad I read this thread. Netting my own minnows is now on my list of things to do....

When is a good time to get Chub minnows at Strawberry or Scofield?

Anyone with some advise?
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]I never fish Strawberry and haven't gone after minnows in Scofield for several years. But as I recall the best time is late spring...Junish..when the water begins warming and the minnows start swarming (spawning). Used to get lots of redsides in both Scofield and Strawberry but the increased plantings of predators (cutts and tigers) put a hurtin' on the redsides. And there are not as many small chubs in Strawberry as there used to be.

Get a couple of minnow traps and spray paint them a dark green color. Use those with or without a cast net. Sometimes they produce better. Sometimes not. Depends on how far out the minnows are hanging out. I usually employ both traps and a cast net on most minnowing trips.

One potential problem with a cast net is snagging it on unseen rocks or submerged brush. Not a good idea to toss it out unless you are sure of what is on the bottom.

Used to get lots of redside shiners at Electric too. They are great when fresh but turn to mush after being frozen. Not as tough as chubs.

Small carp are abundant around the launch ramps in Utah Lake in July. They also make good bait for many species on many waters.
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[fmrusmc]

Sounds like a fun night! When I was stationed in north Carolina, we used a cast net for catching mullet in the intercoastal for bait. And when the shrimp were running, we caught shrimp. What kind of regulations does Utah have found using cast nets? I'd like to get another one to catch minnows for bait.
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Maximum diameter 10'...5' radius. You may use it anywhere it is legal to harvest chubs, shiners, carp minnows, fathead minnows, etc. Check the regs.

If you only want larger minnows you can get by with less expensive 3/8 inch mesh. But if you like using smaller 2-3 inch minnows you will want the 1/4 inch mesh. Otherwise you will be having to clean a lot of gilled minnows out of your net after every throw or you won't be able to cast it well.
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[zman2]

looked on the great website that the dwr has cant find anything on cast nets years ago it was against the law somebody clue me in please,,thanks scotty
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Page 15 of the 2014 Fishing Guidebook (regulations) covers the taking of nongame fish. It lists castnets less than 10 feet in diameter. See PDF file below and scroll down to page 15,
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[SkunkedAgain]

Hey it looks like Pat got you better info than I could have, thanks Pat. Went out in the rain tonight and threw it again, but not many minnows tonight. I'm having a hard time getting my net to open up round. It sure cuts down the catch numbers. Got about 4 dozen tonight in a hundred throws. Still fun though. Later J
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