How to Make a Rope Fishing Net

fishing net floats image by Jeffrey Sinnock from Fotolia.com

Fishing nets can be used in many ways to aid a fisherman. Whether you are fishing with a line and need a landing net to help you finish off the big catch, or you are casting a net from a shore, you need a sturdy, durable net to properly ensnare the fish. Build your own net to save money and customize it to fit your fishing needs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Two 20-foot long, 6-mm thick nylon cords
500-foot long, 2mm thick nylon twine
2 screw-in eye hooks

Step 1

Screw the eye hooks 4 to 5 ft. off the ground and 19 3/4 ft. apart into the wall or wooden posts.

Step 2

Tie one end of one of the 20-foot cords onto the left eye hook and the other end onto the right one.

Step 3

Cut 60 8-ft. lengths from the 500-ft. twine and fold each one in half. Starting at the very left end of the 20-ft. line on the wall attach one of the folded eight-foot lengths with a lark's head knot. Evenly space all 60 of the 8-ft. lines this way 4 inches apart along the top cord. They should each hang down about 4 feet.

Step 4

Tie the right cord of the first dangling pair and the left cord of the second pair, count 4 inches downward and then tie them together using a square knot. Continue all the way to the right until just the leftmost and rightmost lines are the only ones hanging freely.

Step 5

Repeat step 4, except four more inches down each line and this time start with the furthest left line. Continue this process so every other knot is attached to the outer lines.

Step 6

Tie them to the second 20-foot cord using lark's head knots instead of tying them to each other, when you reach the bottom of each line.

Step 7

Untie the top cord from the wall and tie large knots into the four corners of your net to prevent any of the lark's head knots from slipping off the cord.

Tips & Warnings

Use longer or shorter lengths of rope to customize the size of your net to fit your needs.

Thread fishing floats along the top cord before attaching each 2mm line and then attach split-shot sinkers to the bottom cord to make a net that you can stretch across a river or creek to catch fish.

Attach weights around the outside of your net and a casting rope in the middle to form a casting net.

Adjust the distance between each square knot that forms the netting to accommodate for the size of fish you intend to catch.

Article Written By Jacob Hendriks

Jacob Hendriks' work has appeared in "The Western Front," "The Planet Magazine" and Trails.com. He graduated from Western Washington University with a major in international business management and a minor in Community Health. Hendriks' passion for sports nutrition and fitness, combined with experience as a personal trainer, has led him to pursue health-oriented journalism.

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