07-19-2006, 12:07 PM
[cool][#0000ff]If you mean "cast nets", you can buy them at Cabelas and probably Sportsmans. However, there is a lot of difference in cast nets and you should do your homework before you buy one. Many of the ones I have seen in Utah are cheap, stiff monofilament nets with mesh far too large to catch the small minnows that are sometimes the best for bait. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The best nets are 1/4" mesh, with lots of weights, and made of quality nylon cord...not monofilament. Maximum allowable size in Utah is 10 feet. That is plenty big and is about the limit of what most guys can throw effectively.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You will need to devote some time to learning to throw one properly. There is a good video at [url "http://64.119.173.247/~vsimedia/media/3-how-to-throw-a-castnet-300.asf"]Learning To Throw A Cast Net [/url][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Sometimes the depth of the minnows, or the snaggy bottom conditions makes using a cast net impractical. In those cases you can use the little wire minnow baskets, with the funnel ends. They are about $10 at Sportsmans...much less expensive than cast nets.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Most minnows can also be taken very easily with a small hook and a bit of worm or dough. That's how TubeBabe and I harvest most of our minnows. Where we go, it is difficult to use cast nets because of all the weeds and trash on the bottom. I set out two of the wire minnow traps and then we fish tandem hook rigs, using tiny jigs baited with a speck of worm. We bring in two chubs (or shiners) at a time, as fast as we can cast. On the other hand, getting a dozen minnows in each of the two minnow traps is about average for the same time. I once figured that I would catch more minnows with the little jigs in the amount of time it takes me to set and empty the minnow traps.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Send me a PM and I will see if we can meet up for a minnow expedition. The location of a private minnow stash is not something to be posted on a public forum. You will need to be drugged and blindfolded before being taken there.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The best nets are 1/4" mesh, with lots of weights, and made of quality nylon cord...not monofilament. Maximum allowable size in Utah is 10 feet. That is plenty big and is about the limit of what most guys can throw effectively.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You will need to devote some time to learning to throw one properly. There is a good video at [url "http://64.119.173.247/~vsimedia/media/3-how-to-throw-a-castnet-300.asf"]Learning To Throw A Cast Net [/url][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Sometimes the depth of the minnows, or the snaggy bottom conditions makes using a cast net impractical. In those cases you can use the little wire minnow baskets, with the funnel ends. They are about $10 at Sportsmans...much less expensive than cast nets.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Most minnows can also be taken very easily with a small hook and a bit of worm or dough. That's how TubeBabe and I harvest most of our minnows. Where we go, it is difficult to use cast nets because of all the weeds and trash on the bottom. I set out two of the wire minnow traps and then we fish tandem hook rigs, using tiny jigs baited with a speck of worm. We bring in two chubs (or shiners) at a time, as fast as we can cast. On the other hand, getting a dozen minnows in each of the two minnow traps is about average for the same time. I once figured that I would catch more minnows with the little jigs in the amount of time it takes me to set and empty the minnow traps.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Send me a PM and I will see if we can meet up for a minnow expedition. The location of a private minnow stash is not something to be posted on a public forum. You will need to be drugged and blindfolded before being taken there.[/#0000ff]
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