Where to buy / how to size gill netting?

[foolhardy]

I have been looking for a day, or so, to purchase some "gill netting" to catch the <4" shad that circle my night-fishing light.

I have found plenty of nets but I'm unsure how to choose one that has the correct size for catching such baitfish.

Can anyone recommend a specific net for me?

Thank you so much for your input.

[feelay]

What's wrong with a cast net? They can be found at Walmart or most any bait/sporting/tackle store.

[foolhardy]

I don't know that anything IS wrong with a cast net. I was just told that a good way to catch the baitfish swirling around my light was with a "gill net". The water is ~30' deep here, would a cast net work better than a gill net?

[feelay]

Everyone I know who catches shad for bait, uses a cast net.

[foolhardy]

Does a cast net work in deep water? In the videos I've watched the cast net is drug back with the weights dragging the bottom so the fish cannot escape.

[Cmj]

A cast net is the way to go.

[Cmj]

Does a cast net work in deep water? In the videos I've watched the cast net is drug back with the weights dragging the bottom so the fish cannot escape.

The cast net has weights around the perimeter with several lines attached to them. When you toss it out, you can let it sink 20ft or so. Then pull the rope and it draws the net up from the bottom and kinda makes a big sack, trapping the baitfish inside.

[foolhardy]

Well I didn't have an accurate understanding of a cast net. Thanks a lot for the info. I'll get a case net.

[Cmj]

Well I didn't have an accurate understanding of a cast net. Thanks a lot for the info. I'll get a case net.

I would suggest getting a small one to start out with, as they are difficult to throw, especially the larger ones. I think the 5 footer will work fine for your application anyway. One good cast should get you all you need.

[skiptomylu]

If you use a gull net there is a very good chance they will die. They are not easy to keep live.

I had thought about the same thing a few year ago and bought a net that has a rim, much like a basket ball net, but the net on this had small holes and is something like 3 feet across. I never tried it though, but still want to. I was thinking if I put it down in the water waiting until the shad were all over the top of it then I could lift it and catch some. Also it wouldn't be like a cast net that would go all the way down possible spooking the crappie. I don't know if it would work or not, but that is my 2 cents.

It is called an Umbrella Shad Net and you can see them at the Catfish Connection. Look under minnow seines. They have several sizes.