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How to Make a Casting Net for Bait

How to Make a Casting Net for Bait

Dry fish on a dish in the form of a fish image by terex from Fotolia.com

Casting nets must have a small enough gauge so fish cannot escape back into the water. Crayfish, for example, are common bait for largemouth bass, and can be easily stored in a casting net. If you don't want to purchase a casting net, you can make one using a few simple tools. Keep in mind, depending on the size you want, the process could require several hours or days.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:
  • Monofilament netting, nylon or polyester thread or string
  • Shuttle, or needle to hold your twine
  • Paddle, or gauge to measure mesh width (optional)
Step 1
Build the construction of your casting net using the sheet bend technique. Form a loop. Pass the tag end of the thread through the loop and then back around it. Pull the tag end tightly to finish the sheet bend knot.
Step 2
Decide what size holes (gauge) you want for the netting. A 1-inch gauge is adequate for bait up to 20 lbs. and can be achieved using your index and middle finger to guide the placement of each knot. Press your index and middle finger to the thread as your measuring stick. This is done after the completion of each knot.
Step 3
Continue to build the first row until the net extends lengthwise to the size you require. Tie a sheet bend knot to the last loop if you run out of thread. Tie the knot instead of pulling the tag end over the next loop. Add the knotted end together with an adjoining thread. Tie a new knot to combine the two and keep building your net until it is the length you want. Keep building the net row by row. The size of the casting net will determine how many rows you need.
Step 4
Open the finished casting net into a complete circle. Imagine that are opening a large umbrella. Once the casting net is open, gather the top ends together in your hands so a pool of netting falls into a kind of balloon below. The casting net should look as if you could carry something inside it.
Step 5
Attach a hand line (i.e. a location on the casting net where you will fit your hands during casting and retrieval). The best way to attach a hand line is with a swivel, which is a simple removable device that connects two objects, much like a key ring can connect to a second and third key ring without losing the ability to move vertically and horizontally. Once you snap a swivel over the top line of the casting net in two opposite locations, add a braided style rope with at least 6 to 12 feet of length using a sheet bend knot.

Tips & Warnings

 
The gauge helps stretch the loop.
 
You can make a casting net any size you want.
 
Tying a casting net for bait may require up to 11,500 loops.

Resources

Article Written By Charlie Gaston

Charlie Gaston has written numerous instructional articles on topics ranging from business to communications and estate planning. Gaston holds a bachelor's degree in international business and a master's degree in communications. She is fluent in Spanish and has extensive travel experience.

Write for Trails.com

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