Bait catching.

[helpme]

You might want to consider the bottom of the creek or lake you will be using this net in I would think it would not matter what size of net you would throw if you were in a body of water that only had mud or sand,But if that body of water had rocks you might just get it hung up,and rip a great big hole in your brand new throw net,or worse cant get it loose and have to dive to retreave it,might be the temptature of the water is really cold. Ask me how I know, bought a 4ft.throw net about 6-7 years a go practised in my yard and thought I was good enough to go get some bait.found a creek,slung a good circle and guess what got it hung on the bottom,caught on a big rock and could not get it off. I pulled off my shoes and shirt, hid my bilfold and pocket stuff and in I went.Boy was that water cold,aint been right sense.Saved my new throw net and I still use it get all the shad I want bet I dont let it go all the way to the bottom.

A 4ft throw net is big enough for me.besides its not as hard to sling,as a bigger one is.my age says im not tough enough for any thing bigger that that....

[GPatt]

For catching my own bait, I primarily hit up the creeks and use the standard Wal-Mart nets (5' radius, 3/8" mesh) for creek chubs. I'd use chubs and small bluegill for catfish. If I'm looking for smaller, crappie minnows, I use a minnow seine or a dip net and try to corral the minnows into a corner and scoop them up. I've seen a guy use bread for minnows and shiners in a similar fashion. He would float some bread on top of the water, and while they were busy eating it, he'd slip the seine underneath them and scoop them up. I've used umbrella nets too for smaller baits if I see them schooling close to shore. I've baited the net with bread, and wait to see them busting the surface before quickly scooping them up. Lot's of options for catching your own bait.

As for catching shad in a lake or river, I've had luck with the same Wal-Mart net on shad within 2 to 3 feet of water. I've had no luck on deeper schools of shad with these nets. I think you need 3/4" to 1" mesh with a 1.5 lb per foot lead line and a radius of 6' or larger.