Re: Throwing a cast net from a kayak

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: I'm from Georgia, and these comments apply to my area, where we fish the marsh edges for Sea Trout and Red Drum. These techniques may not apply everywhere. : It's too bad cast nets are illegal in California, because it is a great sport and a nice way to check out what's below, even if you throw it all back. : Kids love to see what comes up in the net and it is a wonderful way to study marine life. : : : After about five years of thinking about it, I finally figured out how to get shrimp from my kayak and fish using self-caught live bait.. : : : : This Saturday, I was out for abut 6 hours, throwing the cast net almost continually, so my technique is not very tiring. In fact, I think it is easier that being on the deck of a fishing boat with a motor. : : As for gear, I've learned to keep it very simple, and have some things floating over the left side while casting on the right. The rule is "Whatever can get caught in the net, will get caught." Don't have anything on the deck higher that about one inch. : : Here's the gear I use: : : 1. Four foot cast net from Walmart : : 2. Two small net bags, one for the shrimp and one for fish. They are kept in the water to keep shrimp and fish alive and fresh. : : 3. A ten foot line for my paddle, I keep it floating in the water on the left side while casting on the right. : : 4. Fishing pole on the deck bungies, reel in back. : : I'll probably fail at writing this up, put here's what works for me. It takes a lot of practice, so don't expect to get it right until after about 500 tries. : : 1. Coil the line in your left hand : : 2. Hold the ring at the top of the net in your left hand, left up as high as you can, : : 3. reach down half way and clutch the net, place this in your left hand : : 4. reach down to the lead weights, divide the net in half, and fold this half over your left hand : : 5. reach down and place a section of line attached to the weights in your teeth : : 6. reach down with grasp a section of line attached to the weights about 16 inches from the section held in your teeth, raise this up to the stuff in your left hand and cast it out. : : 7. Pull in in and remove the shrimp on the spray skirt, putting them into the net bag tied to the side. I have a nylon one that sinks down a bit. Works great. : : I use the shrimp for live bait and to eat by themselves. I caught a whiting on Saturday, my first fish caught using the whole rig, pole, net, two net bags. : : This is hard to write out. If anyone knows how I can post digital pictures, I'll demonstrate on my lawn. I have a digital camera.

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