Cast Away: Choosing the Right Cast Net

Published in The Boca Magazine, Vol. 12, Issue #4

Contributor: The Tackle Shop

Relying on fishing depots as a source of bait is a gamble.  So why spoil your fishing fun, especially in the height of the a la vive (live bait fishing) season?  We recommend catching your own bait, using a cast net.               

Cast nets come in a range of sizes and their dimensions are specified by mesh size and length.  Popular mesh sizes in Trinidad are 3/8" (3/4" stretched) and 1/4" (1/2" stretched).  A net with a 3/8" mesh captures bait between 3" to 6".  A smaller mesh like 1/4" is good for bait 1" to 3" in size.  The cast net length refers to the net radius.  For example, a 4 ft casting net has a radius of 4 ft and a diameter of 8 ft.  Cast nests come ready to use with weights attached.  

There is a positive correlation between mesh size and net break strength since a 1/4" mesh size net has a net break strength between 5-9 lb while a 3/8" mesh size net has a net break strength between 7-15 lb. 

The Tackle Shop stocks a variety of cast nets, ranging from 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12 ft in radius.  Typically, larger nets (10’ and 12’) are used in Tobago while smaller nets are used in Trinidad.  

The Tackle Shop also carries regular and professional grade cast nets.  Professional cast nets are made of high quality (density) monofilament which sinks faster than regular monofilament, thereby capturing the bait quicker. 

Mesh size	Bait size	Net break strength
1/4" (1/2" stretched)	1" - 3"	5 - 9 lb
3/8” (3/4" stretched)	3" - 6"	7 - 15 lb