Do casting nets to catch live bait really work for you guys???

[lafae7]

A buddy at work sold me one like new in a box for $20. It's a 6 foot diameter, catches 3" to 6" baitfish, down to 16 foot of water. Do these things really work? I really want to catch my own live bait to use on stripes and catfish.

Based off what I read on here... My best option is to get there really early before the sun comes up and cast off the bank or in pockets of coves. I'm trying to weigh my options. Do I sleep in and just go buy bait at the shop? Or do I tough it out and wake up 3 hours early to go look for bait fish that I might not even catch?

 

[rsimms]

It's like everything else... you'll probably have to "pay your dues" to learn where and when you can do it successfully. It will likely be a painful learning curve at first.

However if you "do the work," it can potentially pay great dividends for you in the future. It just depends upon how bad you want it.

 

[lafae7]

Thats so deep rsimms emoteacher... I forgot what question I asked emolaugh

 

[Jmax]

rsimms - 4/21/2016 4:12 PM

It's like everything else... you'll probably have to "pay your dues" to learn where and when you can do it successfully. It will likely be a painful learning curve at first.

However if you "do the work," it can potentially pay great dividends for you in the future. It just depends upon how bad you want it.

I agree, very deep and sounds like some kind of writer. I will just go with...well....yes, they work. emoBigsmile Jmax

 

[rsimms]

rsimms - 4/21/2016 4:12 PM
....yes, they work. emoBigsmile Jmax

IF you know when and where to throw them. (Deep, but true emoGeezer )

 

[Jpxb2003]

lafae7 - 4/21/2016 2:43 PM

A buddy at work sold me one like new in a box for $20. It's a 6 foot diameter, catches 3" to 6" baitfish, down to 16 foot of water. Do these things really work? I really want to catch my own live bait to use on stripes and catfish.

Based off what I read on here... My best option is to get there really early before the sun comes up and cast off the bank or in pockets of coves. I'm trying to weigh my options. Do I sleep in and just go buy bait at the shop? Or do I tough it out and wake up 3 hours early to go look for bait fish that I might not even catch?

It's really not that hard to be honest. Knowing where the bait is does make your job easier, but you can also read your electronics to find them. Shad will often "flip" on the surface which often tells you a school is below. That is where you want to cast your net. Early morning is the easiest, but really you can catch them all day. The most important part is have a place to keep them alive. Circular bait tanks work well and you need plenty of aeration (an oxygen infuser is best but not necessary). Change your water often and keep rock salt on hand to treat the water. A good live shad will absolutely catch fish. Warning though once you do it successfully then you are hooked.

 

[buzz]

While fishing the trash gate wing wall yesterday, two older gentleman, wth...I am old, cast their net at the end of the wall and had a NET FULL of bait.

 

[Racefish]

My son catches all sorts of bait when he throws his. Just off the bank from chester frost during spring break he says its like Christmas everytime he brings it in.

 

[SpurHunter]

Be prepared to ruin several of them regularly, it just comes with cast netting. They get hung and torn, some times you can repair them, some times its a total loss.

 

[lafae7]

SpurHunter - 4/22/2016 4:58 PM

Be prepared to ruin several of them regularly, it just comes with cast netting. They get hung and torn, some times you can repair them, some times its a total loss.

I just experienced this emobang.... I thought these nets were tougher than that emolaugh... It's fixable though

 

[scubajt41]

It is easy. I can teach you in about 5 minutes. I get my bait by docks. Key is not getting caught on bottom. I catch my bait for catfishing..