East Coast Castnets

KYLE ONDREY JAN 18, 2011 4:36 PM

Cast nets are the most effective way for anglers to get the bait they need whether they be a charter captain or the weekend warrior.

When I first started fishing I was like every other angler I see today, heading out with some heavy spinners with massive treble hooks to get bait. Even from the very start I of course said, “There has to be a better way.” And there is, it’s called a cast net. When I was a beginner I wasn’t very tall and I still am not, which some people say makes throwing a cast net more difficult, but when I first learned it was tough but what isn’t? After being taught the proper load and throwing technique I got better very quickly, I was able to get a good circle but wasn’t getting the net spread 100%. To be effective, you need to be able to get the net spread 80%, 100% of the time.

When choosing a cast net it is important to know exactly what you need. Buying a custom made net is the best way to ensure you are getting the net that best suits the type of bait and where you are going to be fishing. East Coast nets is one of the best custom net manufacturers in the northeast. Charlie can make a net exactly to your needs. Most of his nets have a little less than 1.5lbs per ft total lead weight, any more than that creates to much of a parachute effect in water over 15 ft. These nets are hand tied ensuring that your nets last longer. The great thing about buying a custom net is that you can also choose how long you handline is. Some people may never have to throw in water deeper than 10ft so the choose to only have their handline about 15 to 20ft long. But here on the north shore of long island is isn’t very uncommon that we throw in 25 feet of water so we prefer a much longer line.

Charlie will also give you a free castnet lesson should you pick the net up yourself. These are high quality nets and last a very long time even with the extreme abuse we put them through on our charter boats.

Kyle Ondrey
Senior Writer/Director of Marketing - Northeast Angling