The best cast net to buy?

[Pero]

Hi blokes,
With the prawning season a couple months off, I thought I may need advice on The best net to purchase. Unfortunately , Last summers net came to grief at The Pergola (Lost all the lead line, he he). I see a lot of guys using custom nets. Some chain linked, others with draw strings, and the Asians seem to have a variety of nets too.
(A)-I would prefer a top pocket custom net. Not a K-mart special.
(B)- I weigh just over 100kgs, so how much lead weight is Ideal for me. All advice appreciated

[ronnien]

ima_rawprawn
for prawning no other net should be consided than a draw string!
these nets are awesome on prawns. by the time it takes to get the prawns out of a pocket net i would have already 3-4 casts with a draw string.

ron.

[Braddles]

what is a draw string? I am also in the market for a newy after my large mono has too many memories of concrete ramps and various snags.....

[nufin_flash]

draw string cast net have extra rope that closes the bottom of the net when as your pulling up, that way you dont have to worry about anything escaping from the bottom as there is no hole. really good for when your throwing off a boat or jetty where you have to pull ur net straight up, opposed to a bank where you can slide the net back in while closing

[madman1]

Draw string is the way to go definitely. You wont look back.

[Pero]

What weight is best for say average 7 metres water?

[ronnien]

more weight the better, dont know if you can get different weighted nets in a tackle shop? but the bigger the net the heavier it will be.

ron.

[Kendall249]

If your worried about weight, stick to mono net. They don't absorb water as do nylon net, they get heavy very quickly. Mone nets also sink considerably quicker. I'm not a fan of top-pocket nets as there is more to get tangled, though I can see their advantage in relation to prawns particularly and in deep water. There are techniques to move the prawns up into the top of the net, can only be done in relatively shallow water < 2m with shallow gradient

You can also throw a large mono net more than a large nylon. mono maybe more brittle,though I prefer the cheapish nets as I know I can get new one, I also find mono easier to do make shift repairs on the run.

hope that helps, kendall

[batten]

if u do it right, u can get a smaller net and thread more weights onto it. definately go with a draw string

[Sheik]

I had a draw string net and while i loved it for the fact you could get bait out quick smart, as it gets older the drawstrings get all tangled up. I had a 9 footer which ended up opening out about as much as a 4 footer and nothing I did would help. I found even when new it didnt open up as well as a top pocket. Top pocket or mid pocket work pretty well with prawns, although each has pros and cons. mono nets are better as they get wet but not sodden with water and area easy to repair with fishing line, or zip ties if you're in a hurry

[Braddles]

thanks guys for your tips and explanations on what a draw string was. Appreciate it. :-)

[Scalem]

I had a draw string net and while i loved it for the fact you could get bait out quick smart, as it gets older the drawstrings get all tangled up. I had a 9 footer which ended up opening out about as much as a 4 footer and nothing I did would help. I found even when new it didnt open up as well as a top pocket. Top pocket or mid pocket work pretty well with prawns, although each has pros and cons. mono nets are better as they get wet but not sodden with water and area easy to repair with fishing line, or zip ties if you're in a hurry

I know that you are telling the truth and have actually tried using a draw string - I had exactly the same problem. In fact I had some time up my sleeve and replaced all the tangled lines coming down the centre with good quality stuff, which was OK for a while, but then started the tangles all over again.

If you are after a good net, call Bob the old time net maker 07 32066379. Most think that you need more weight to get down faster - I agree to a point, but pay more attention to the design of the net and the quality of material the net is made from so that it does not spring back on itself before getting the chance to sink to where the prawns are. Top pocket is the only way IMO, and my next net will be from Bob with a budget much higher than I have ever spent on a retail outlet special.


Scalem

[TheRealAndy]

I know that you are telling the truth and have actually tried using a draw string - I had exactly the same problem. In fact I had some time up my sleeve and replaced all the tangled lines coming down the centre with good quality stuff, which was OK for a while, but then started the tangles all over again.

If you are after a good net, call Bob the old time net maker 07 32066379. Most think that you need more weight to get down faster - I agree to a point, but pay more attention to the design of the net and the quality of material the net is made from so that it does not spring back on itself before getting the chance to sink to where the prawns are. Top pocket is the only way IMO, and my next net will be from Bob with a budget much higher than I have ever spent on a retail outlet special.


Scalem

Is Bob the guy that is based at caboolture Scalem? There used to be a guy out that way somewhere. Been trying to track down a good net maker for ages.

[Scalem]

Is Bob the guy that is based at caboolture Scalem? There used to be a guy out that way somewhere. Been trying to track down a good net maker for ages.

No I think he is out at Redland bay - comes highly recommended, I was there when Nugget took delivery of his new net a couple of years ago


Scalem

[timddo]

Draw strings will bring in Jellyfish.

The only net for prawning is top pockets , There are many designs, Mono is the go for net materials and weight is another factor

My ideal net is

1. 12 drop net
2. top pockets
3. mono
4. Weight - should be around 6-7kg dry weight
5. Cord needs to be 12 meters.

Weight , In shallow water of 2meters or so, it makes no difference. In deeper water of say 3 +. It's the difference between 2 prawns and 13 prawns