How To Throw A 4-Foot Cast Net Without Using Your Mouth [VIDEO]

It’s cast net time!

Best of all, we’ll be focusing on an easy way of throwing a 4 ft cast net that even a 4-year old child can do (and you will get to see my brother Joe’s 4-year old daughter Shauna toss a 4-footer with ease in the video).

And this method doesn’t require the net going into one’s mouth, which is a big plus for anyone who doesn’t like getting mud and salt in their mouth… and a huge bonus for those who have braces.

Cast netting is a subject that is near and dear to me because throwing the cast net was one of my favorite things to do as a child.

I can still remember the Christmas where my parents bought Joe and I our very first cast nets. The two of us spent weeks tossing those 4-foot cast nets anywhere we could… swimming pools, backyards, ponds, lakes, etc.

But of course, the best was throwing the net from a dock or a pier…

I just loved the fact that I never knew what would be caught in the next cast (I actually caught my first snook in my beloved first little 4-foot cast net).

And since there is no better way to get immediate catch results than with a net, I encourage parents teach their kids how to throw a cast net at an early age. It can certainly be a ton of fun for them, while also allowing them to learn about a bunch of unique species of small fish, seahorses, starfish, etc. that otherwise would not have been witnesses if using a rod and reel.

And an added bonus for parents (or my brother Joe who has benefited richly from my cast netting skills) is that it could turn into a lifetime of free bait assuming they get as addicted to throwing the net as I did:)

So the purpose of this post is to show an easy way for kids to throw a basic 4 ft cast net without having to put it in their mouths.

And this technique will allow your kid to stand out from the others who have to put the net in their mouths and do the helicopter-style throw for their nets to open.

Note: You do NOT need to put a cast net in your mouth, and you do NOT need to do a helicopter spin to properly throw a cast net.

Many even refer to it as the “Ninja throw method” since it requires minimal twisting and the entire net except for one strand is held in just one had.

Finally, an added bonus is that this method is the driest way to throw a cast net since the net isn’t wrapped over a shoulder or held up in the mouth.

Let’s dig in.

Cast Net Throwing Tips For Kids

Many people incorrectly think that throwing a cast net is all about strength… but the reality is that it’s about technique.

Because without a proper loading and delivery technique of the net, there is no amount of muscle that will get it to open.

In fact, using too much muscle when throwing a net can often do more harm than good. And this is true with the small nets like the 4 ft net shown below, or even for bigger cast nets like the 10 ft net I used for a different cast net tutorial video.

(you can see the most in-depth 10 foot cast net video here)

The absolute most important thing to do when throwing a cast net is to properly load the net.

Here’s a video that shows a great way to load and throw a 4-foot net that even a 4-year old girl can do:

Ninja Style Cast Net Throw For Kids [VIDEO]

Steps For Throwing a 4-Foot Cast Net

Here are the core steps required for this “ninja throw” technique:

1. Clear the net of tangles (check that lead line is free of tangles)
2. Split the net into two sections
   • Front section should be slightly less net than back section
3. Slide your back hand down the net and grab ahold of the mesh at waist level
4. Fold hand forward on top of front section and grab ahold of it
5. Bring lead line up from the side closest to you and put it under your thumb
   • It’s best to grab the line from the back section… adjust as needed until your net opens because the optimal point varies across net sizes/weights
6. Throw using a motion that starts from low and then shifts around and up around your body towards your target
   • Both hands should move in the same speed directions
7. Let go of the net once the back end starts pulling away from the twisting motion
   • It’s often best to hold on to the line with your leading hand a second longer because that controls the section closest to you)

Note: This style of throwing a cast net gets more difficult as the net size increases… click here for a great tutorial on how to throw a 10+ ft cast net without using your mouth.

Conclusion

As you can see in the video above, throwing a cast net is something that anglers of all sizes can participate in.

And it is a great way to help children get to see and feel all sorts of interesting animals that they most likely wouldn’t be exposed to otherwise like starfish, seahorses, and even small squid.

Best of all, it is one of the best ways to ensure that at least something will be caught within a short time so it can be a very fun experience for young kids to see and/or participate in.

And do note that there are other ways to throw a 4-foot cast net, however, this technique has been the easiest one I have found out there.

P.S. – If you’re interested in learning how to maintain your cast net to make it last longer than normal, click here now.

P.P.S. – If you think any of your angler friends would like to see this cast net tip, please Tag them or Share this with them. It would mean a lot to me.