Throwing a Cast Net From a Kayak

Net fishing is a means of fishing in shallow water. The fisherman casts a net out into the water, and lead weights sink the net to the bottom. A lead rope attached to the fisherman is pulled in, and if successful, the fish are trapped in the net. A net allows the kayaker to use one tool with simple parts to catch fish rather than dealing with bait and tackle.

Instructions

    • 1

      Set the kayak paddle on the cockpit of the boat behind you so it is out of the way. Pull the net from the net bag on the bow of the boat. Fasten the led line around your weak side wrist with the Velcro strap.

    • 2

      Coil the led line of the net in your weak hand. Make the coils 1 1/2 feet in circumference apiece. In the same hand, hold the horn of the net, the remainder of then net falls below your little finger. Your thumb is next to the led line.

    • 3

      Double the net over, dividing it in half. Grab the point in the net where it doubles back on itself with the same hands in which you hold the coils and horn. With your strong hand, hold one of the leads on the bottom of the net, and wrap the index finder of your opposite hand -- that with the coils -- around the lead.

    • 4

      Wrap your middle finger around the next lead. Wrap the next lead with your ring finger and the next with your little finger. The five leads in your weak hand constitute a third of the leads.

    • 5

      Gather one-third of the remaining leads in your strong hand. Sit comfortably in the kayak. Allow your legs and bottom to shift in the boat, but keep your head and shoulders still.

    • 6

      Extend your arms straight in front of you with the coils, led, net and leads in your weak hand and one-third of the leads in your strong hand. Rotate both arms to your weak side. This is the cocked position.

    • 7

      Lift your weak-side knee while cocking your hip to balance yourself in the kayak. Quickly rotate your arms to your strong side, casting the net by opening your hands three-fourths of the way through the rotation. As you cast, lift your strong-side knee as you lower your weak-side knee to counter the shift in weight as your arms move from one side of your body to the next.

    • 8

      Allow the net to sink to the floor of the body of water,and then pull the lead rope to draw the net up.