Find Your Net
How to choose the right net
Learn how to select your BasicGear cast net. Work through the bait chart and the four questions below, then check the size guide for the full sizing breakdown.
What size is your bait or target?
The size of your bait directly correlates to the size of mesh your net will need.
| Bait size | Mesh size |
|---|---|
| 1" – 3" | 3/16" |
| 1" – 3" | 1/4" |
| 3" – 6" | 3/8" |
| 6" – 9" | 1/2" |
| 9" – 12" | 5/8" |
| 10" – 12" | 3/4" |
| 9" & up | 1" |
Four questions before you buy
01Where will you be using your net?
The type of water environment, its depth, and water currents should play a part in helping you determine your cast net's weight.
02Are you a beginner?
If you're a beginner, start with a smaller net from our Basic Series — a 4–6 ft radius is light enough to learn proper technique quickly, and most people throw a clean circle within their first 30 attempts. Size up once the throw feels natural.
03How much bait do you want to catch, and how fast?
This question will help determine which radius net will be best for you. The larger radius nets (8–14 ft.) will allow you to catch more bait in less time, but they also require a more experienced throwing technique than smaller nets.
04Have you checked your state's game and fishing regulations?
Different areas may have different laws in place about cast nets — size caps, mesh rules, and species restrictions all vary by state. See cast net regulations by state for a state-by-state breakdown, or check info from your local agency.
How is cast net mesh measured?
Mesh is generally measured as a square “SQ” from knot to knot or by the side of the square. This is the type of measurement that you will see on all of our charts. Measuring the distance from the top knot of the mesh to the bottom knot of the mesh (the diamond) is known as a stretched mesh measurement, or STR. The STR is essentially double the length of the SQ measurement.
Know what you need? Head to the shop — or keep reading.