How To Throw A Big Cast Net Without Using Your Mouth [VIDEO]
By: Luke Simonds on March 14, 2015
Found In:
Cast Nets • Catching Live Bait • Fishing Tips
It’s cast net time!
The ability to throw a cast net is essential for anyone who plans to fish regularly.
Since we’ve received many questions relating to cast net throwing, we decided to create a video that not only teaches how to throw a cast net, but more importantly, this video shows exactly where the different sections of the net end up when casted properly so you can more easily fix any issues that you may have when out on the water.
For instance, if you’re having trouble opening the top, bottom, left, or right side of the net, this video will help you understand exactly where in your loading of the net the issue is occurring so you can make the needed adjustments going forward.
The goal of this video is to teach you how to properly load the net and to allow you to understand exactly where the various sections of the net end up when done properly so you can more easily fix any issues that you may be having with consistently opening the net is a full circle.
Please note that there are multiple different ways to throw a cast net, and this is just the one that I’ve used for the past 20+ years.
The reason I like it is that you don’t have to be strong to throw pancakes with a big cast net. For example, I was throwing a 12 footer when I was 15 years old weighing only 120 lbs.
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How To Throw A Big Cast Net – Essential Steps
Here is a list of the essential cast net steps and the exact time that you can find it in the video below:
- Clear the net of tangles (0:52)
- Load rope and net material in your trailing hand (1:53)
- Load front section of the net in your leading hand (3:20)
- Load the middle section (4:20)
- Using mouth method (4:34)
- No mouth method (5:45)
- Casting Motion (6:37)
Enjoy the cast net video below.
Cast Net Throwing Tutorial Video
Conclusion
The ability to throw a big cast net is essential for those who want to be able to consistently catch good fish without having to rely on anyone else for success.
Best of all, anybody can do it when taught how to properly load and throw it… success is determined by technique, not power.
My best advice is to practice throwing your cast net at home, in a park, or somewhere on land so you can really get good before you go out under pressure.
Too many anglers think they can just wing it out on the water, but it’s entirely different while out on the water dealing with currents, wind, waves, other boats, etc.
It’s always best to have the casting part down pat which will make mother nature easier to deal with…
We hope you enjoy this cast net throwing tutorial video.
Leave a comment below if you have any questions or ideas for improvement.
Related Articles:
– Cast Net Throwing Tips From 5 Top Anglers [VIDEO]
– How To Throw A 10-Foot Cast Net The Easy Way
– How To Care For A Cast Net So That It Lasts Many Years
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.
Fish On!
That was cool> I live in Taiwan so I am trying to adjust all your advice to what is going on here in Taiwan. They sell cast nets in the bait stores but I have never seen anyone actually use one off a pier. I saw you talking about using a 4 ft net but couldn’t find the link to the actual video. Maybe I should search YOUTUBE? Free bait would be good for pier fishing as it is crazy expensive to own a boat in Taiwan. Also, to drive a boat you must have a professional skippers license.
Thinking of a 5 foot casting net for this newbie . And have a old nylon big hole casting net , not too big to practice with until I can cast a net well. Enjoyed the tape tricks and run way. Learning tools. Guess you are the best teacher . What’s the difference in difficulty throwing a larger net? What brands have you need with confidence?
Cheers
John Martin
Hey John, once the net is held properly, the bigger ones are just as easy to throw than the small ones. If you’ll be throwing off of anything other than a kayak, I’d recommend going with a bigger net because you’ll be able to catch more bait per cast. Brand does not seem to matter too much. You have a great discount with Baracuda as a Club Member so that would certainly be a good choice. https://www.saltstrong.com/app/insider-discounts/
Never mind Luke. I went to the Barracuda website and watched the video you have there. Everything is perfectly clear and I can keep my teeth in my mouth. LOL! Good job sir.
Alright Luke I just watched your cast net video, you briefly mentioned how to throw it without putting it in your mouth but maybe I missed something along the way. I’m not sure how to do this. I’m an old geezer with full dentures and I’m afraid I’ll lose my teeth if I try to throw the net while holding it in my mouth. LOL! I used to throw a cast net years ago but I didn’t have dentures then. Can you clarify what I need to do to accomplish this?
Finally decided it was time to learn how to throw a net so I spent the money and bought myself a barracuda net. Do you have any tips for taking care of my net after I use it?
Here’s a link to a post about caring for a net to increase its longevity: https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/cast-net-care/
A variant of your technique that I use, uses neither over the shoulder or in the teeth. Two 3’ loops of the back of the net in lieu of in teeth are coiled in the thumb of the left hand. This is done before loading the right hand. Seems to work well
Thanks for the suggestion on the modified cast net throw Bill. I’ll give it a shot next chance I get.
Great Video and instruction. I am going to use the “marker tape” idea to really fine tune my casting ability. I hate when I have a bad throw and see the baitfish scattering ( and hear the bait actually laughing at my bad throw)!
Great video! One question though, what should I look for in a quality net without spending a fortune? Like most people I have limited funds for my hobby and for now I use a Walmart special, I hate that thing but I don’t know what I should be considering.
If you’re going to use it a lot, then getting a nice net would be smart because it’ll last longer (Barracuda nets even guarantee their mesh against holes/rips). But if budget is at the top of the priority list, then go with the best deal.
Between the video and salt strong ambassador Bill Flynn I can toss a ten footer pretty well. Still working on a twelve, but I’m sure I’ll get it.
Awesome news! Yes, if you can throw a 10 footer, you’ll be quick to adjust to a 12.
Thanks Paul just saw this.
The video was a great help on hand position. Full circle almost every time with no wind ???✝
I’m glad to see that you enjoyed this cast net throwing video. Thanks for making time to leave the comment. Fish On!
Enjoyed the cast net video, now practice
Thanks for making time to leave a comment on this cast net throwing video. Yep, practice makes perfect.
When I first moved to Wilmington NC there was an old fishing pamphlet at the library that showed how to use a clothespin instead of your mouth. You shave the ridges down a bit & hang it around your neck. Worked like a champ & I had zero experience in using a casting net.
That’s an idea I’ve never heard before. Sounds like it’ll work very similar to the mouth or over the shoulder method. Thanks for the tip. Fish On!
Thanks for your video. You made everything very clear and easy to understand. However, I’m confident that I can find a way to mess up casting my net. I guess there is no substitute for practice. If you want to find me, I’ll be in my back yard casting my net 🙂
Thanks for making time to leave the nice comment on this cast net throwing video. Fish On!
Great video. I wish you could offer a paid seminar where you give hands on training. Maybe in the future, you could offer such a thing. I promise I will wear my “no cats” shirt. lol
Thanks for making time to leave the nice comment. We’re planning on hosting some events later this year, so we’ll be sure that cast net tutorials are included… and there will be a discount for anyone wearing a No Cats shirt:)
Have always triple loaded, this is my first attempt at a double load. Love the tutorial, but any tips as to getting the trail hand side of the net open? Lead hand side is opening fine, but trail hand side is trying to follow with it and not opening at all. Thanks!
If the front hand net is taking over, then hold a higher percentage of the net in the back hand so that it generates enough momentum to the left to fully open the net.
Otherwise, the issue is probably being caused by a snag or two being in the back so make sure to clear the net before throwing it again.
So whichever half is not opening is the half I should hold more net in? No snags in the back half, but like I said, just consistently not opening up, whereas the lead hand side is opening fully.
Yes, the added weight will give it more momentum so it does’t simply follow the front side.
My guess is that you’re using a lighter and/or smaller net… if under 10 ft, then the majority of the net should be in the back hand (8 ft – 30/70, 7 ft – 20/80, 6 ft or less – just holding the front line is all that is needed)
Awesome tutorial, bait in that clear Placida water can’t run fast enough away from these pancakes I toss at them! Very informative and step by step easy to learn! Thanks guys!!
Pancake Pa-POW!!! Thanks Ralton. Hope to see you out there around Placida next year.
Looking forward to it!!
Really appreciate you sharing this post. Thanks Again. Really Great.
I have a six foot small mess bait net that I keep throwing banana like results. Any suggestions.
Hey Pete, the actual cast of a 6 foot cast net is similar to what the video in the post shows (keeping both hands moving at the same speed/trajectory), but the loading of a 6 ft net should be done differently that what I taught above for the 10 foot net…
Instead of splitting the net into two equal sections as shown in the video above, you can simply hold a single strand of the lead line in your leading hand so that you have an arm’s length of lead line between the part of the net held in your teeth and your leading hand.
And instead of having both hands fairly close together for the 10 ft net that’s split equally, you’ll need to have your leading hand about 1.5ft to 2ft ahead of your back hand so that the net fully opens.
Hopefully this helps create some pancakes!
You made it look easy but the loading it’s always perfect as yours , Ha Thanks for info
Hey Jack, thanks for leaving the nice comment on this cast net throwing video. I wish you the very best next time out on the water… Fish On!
This is awesome! I never learned how to throw a perfect cast….can’t wait to try it out! Thanks for sharing!
Looking forward to seeing some pancake cast net throws from you Tara!
best instructional video on throwing I’ve seen, congrats!
Hey Lars, thanks so much for making time to leave the nice comment! I’m thrilled to see that you enjoyed this cast net throwing tutorial. I wish you the very best next time you’re out on the water… Fish On!
Love the video. Ralized what I have been doing wrong.
Hey Leamon, thanks so much for leaving the nice comment… I’m absolutely thrilled to see that this cast net throwing video helped you determine what was wrong with your cast! I wish you the very best next time you’re out on the water. Fish On!
Way to go I will try this method
Hey Bobby, I’m thrilled to see that you enjoyed this “how to throw a cast net” video. Best of luck to you next time to get out on the water!
Been growing for years and still can’t get every one to open like a pan cake
By far the best explanation/ demonstration I have seen. I have been a chronic banana thrower so perhaps that will end now. Headed outside to start practicing.
Hey Will, thanks so much for leaving the nice comment! I’m very glad to see that you enjoyed this “how to throw a cast net” video… hopefully the bananas will turn to pancakes very soon!
Very good
Hey Casey, thanks so much for making time to leave a comment on this “how to throw a cast net” video. I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it, and wish you the very best next time you’re out fishing!
Wow great casting Luke!
Hey Rose, thanks so much for making time to leave the nice comment! I’m thrilled that you enjoyed this cast net video.
Excellent Video… I hope you like my shirt idea as much as I liked the video. if so, I should have a new shirt before to long. stay safe and thanks for ALL of your tips…
Best cast net video Ive seen. Definitely some helpful hints
Thanks for leaving a comment Nic! I’m glad that you enjoyed the cast net throwing video. I hope all is going great with you and your family out in Hawaii.
I noticed you leave about a foot of brail line past the horn. I was always taught to even up the brail lines with the horn. Any reason for leaving them stick out at the top?
Hey Steve, great question and observation! When loading a cast net, I always start at the bottom and work up. I hold the net at shoulder level straight up when clearing the net so the brail lines below my hand are the exact same length as the distance of the net material to the lead line… this ensures that there are not any loose brail lines that can go under the lead line and snag a section of weights (which will cause clumps in the net making it near impossible to open when casting the net). My assumption is that different cast net companies make brail lines of various lengths in relation to mesh, so some nets require more or less brail line sticking out of the horn in the load.
Can you recommend a good brand of net? The one you’re throwing seems to be made of very limp mono. Thanks for the tips; clear and easy to follow.
Hey Kevin, I’ve never come across a cheap 10 ft net so go with whichever one your local bait shop recommends. The trick to getting the net limp (for best casting action) is to soak it in a 5 gallon bucket with some liquid fabric softener mixed with water (1/10 softener to water ratio). Let it soak for an hour or two and then rinse it off with water… this will soften the line and also keep in from degrading after exposer to the sun and salt. We wish you the best and hope to hear from you again soon!
Finally a video that takes the time to explain the process instead of just quick shots of throws without explanations. Great job….now I think I can move up from the 7ft to a 10 or 12 ft……
Hey Gary, thanks so much for leaving the really nice comment. Any yes, you’re likely ready to move up to a 10 ft cast net… I personally feel that a 10 ft net is easier than a 7 because the weights in the larger cast nets do all of the work (all you have to do is load it properly and not try to over-power it). If you do decide to go for a 12 ft net, you can use this exact same loading style.
Great video, Luke. This is something I’ve wanted to see for years. Really awesome how you both breakdown all of the steps for throwing a big net and then also troubleshoot and fix problems. Another fantastic video from the Salt Strong guys!
Hey Josh, thanks so much for the nice comment. We’re thrilled to see that you enjoyed this cast net throwing video, and we hope to hear from you again soon. Fish On!
I will pay to take a cast net throwing class , I’ve been sitting on three nice cast nets not wanting to ruin them b4 I learn how to cast
Hey Harold, thanks so much for leaving a comment. I hope you give this method of throwing a cast net a shot so you can get your money’s worth out of those nets (I suggest practicing on land in grass before taking it to the water). Let me know if you run into any issues when trying it out and I’ll gladly help diagnose the issue.
Nice. Looks like another version of the double load. I do it somewhat different but same result
Hey James, thanks for leaving a comment. Yes, there are certainly multiple ways to throw a cast net. It’s best to chose one and perfect it… sounds like you’ve already done that. We hope to hear from you again soon. Fish On!
Cool video! I’ve always wanted to learn how to throw it without using my mouth. Very much appreciated.
Thanks for leaving the comment. Positive feedback like this keeps us excited to publish more articles and videos. We wish you the very best… Fish On!