Top pocket castnet setup

[Sea-Dog]

I've just bought myself a 10' top & bottom pocket mono castnet from BCF whilst they have the 20% discount.

I've never had a top pocket net, nor seen one in use.

I have a few questions about setting it up correctly.

When the net is fully spread (on the kitchen floor) the drawstring at the top of the net wants to open up. There is a short length of clear plastic tubing on the drawstring that looks like it is supposed to stop the top from opening whilst casting. My tubing is too loose to keep it shut.

Is it supposed to open when casting like in the pics?

See pics.

[Sea-Dog]

Next question:

How wide open is the top pocket supoosed to be to allow the prawns to flip in there?

I found that by adjusting the small sleeves on the bundle of drawstrings for the pocket adjusts how widely the pocket will open when being cast.

Does it need to open more widely than in the pics or less widely?

For an indication of size - the books are "Yellow Pages"

Cheers, Ross.

[hooknose]

Hey Ross,
That bit of tube should be tight enough to hold the top of the net closed during sink and retrieve, you will find that you will lose all the prawns that make it into the top pocket on retrieval.

You should be able to shrink that tube with a heat gun or by inserting some form of shim to ensure it locks firm on the rope, this might stuff you up if you want to take it back for a refund so beware, It is probably a cheap, mass produced, chinese net , what did you pay for it mate ?

[Sea-Dog]

Yep, it is mass produced chinese BCF stuff.

I paid $87.96 after 20% discount. $110.00 standard price apparently....


I thought that price for a top pocket net seemed reasonable. But hey, I'm no expert. (as can be seen when I cast)

I thought the opening would need to stay closed. I will have to find a way of tightening the bit of tubing that holds her closed.

I have tried a few different style casting methods and the best method for me, with this 10' net is the one where you hold a loop of lead-line between your teeth and throw backhanded (like a frisbee - sort of)

Now junior wants his own net as the 10 footer is too big for him to manage.

I will pop down there again and get a 6 or 7 footer for him to practise with.

Cheers.

[rando]

If you decide to keep that net,,, wrap a piece of old stocking around the top pocket drawstring a few times and tie it tight enough to close the pocket ,but loose enough to slide up and down to allow emptying the net.
Forget the plastic tube its crap.