How to Tie a Trammel Net

Trammel nets are specially designed gill nets. They are made by joining three nets together that run parallel to each other. The two outside nets have larger openings than the inner net. The inner net is loosely hung to allow it to be pulled through the outer two nets. A trammel net captures fish using two different methods. Some fish snare themselves by the gills in the outer nets as they swim through. Other fish snag themselves in the loose inner netting that becomes a bag around them as they pass through the net. Trammel nets hang vertically in the water using a system of floats on the net at the surface and weights at the bottom of the net underwater.

Things You'll Need

  • Fishing netting
  • Synthetic cord
  • Utility knife
  • Floats
  • Weights
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose your net sizes. Determine the size of the openings in your two outer nets. The openings of the net on each side should be the same size. Decide on the mesh size of the interior net. Base the net opening sizes on the type of fish for which you are fishing. Purchase three nets with the length, height and opening size you determined for you nets. Make sure the middle net is longer than the outer two nets. The middle net needs slack to envelop the caught fish in a bag.

    • 2

      Create the head rope and the foot rope. Cut two lengths of heavy cord equal to the length of your net. These two cords are the top line, or head rope, and the bottom line, or foot rope of your net.

    • 3

      Attach the floats and weights. String the head rope through the holes in your floats. Space the floats at equal intervals along the head rope. String the foot rope through the holes in your weights. Space the weights at equal intervals along the foot rope.

    • 4

      Attach the three nets to the head and foot ropes. Tie the three nets together using one of three methods: Loop the head and foot ropes directly through the openings at the top and bottom of the net. Add the floats and weights to the net as you weave the head and foot ropes through the openings; Lash the nets to the head and foot ropes by looping small pieces of cord through openings and around the head and foot ropes. Then, tie the small pieces of cord tightly to hold the nets in place on the lines. Use cord made of synthetic material that does not degrade or stretch in water; If you have access to a sewing machine, attach the nets to the head and foot ropes by sewing them directly into the header and footer ropes using heavy duty thread.