Netting: The Angler's Guide

As you may have guessed from the name, netting is a fishing technique used around the world to catch fish using only a net. Like most evergreen techniques, it has been developed over the centuries and perfected to enable efficient fishing in various bodies of water, from rivers and lakes to seas and oceans. 

It is often used in industrial fishing, as it is irreplaceably practical; however, the net is also used in the recreational fishery, where smaller forms allow individuals to enjoy catching fish less invasively. 

This technique emphasizes a harmonious balance between patience and precision without lacking good old fishing action. It offers everyone what they need from fishing. Whether it's relaxation, dynamism, or discipline, everything can be achieved with nets.

Netting is a technique open to everyone, regardless of their fishing experience. If you're curious and want to learn more, this guide is here to help. Let's embark on this adventure together and discover the excitement that net fishing can bring! 

Understanding Netting

Anglers love netting precisely because of its ingenuity and minimalism. It can also be very creative and crafty because it relies on skillfully designed nets that should be placed in strategically selected places. 

Netting can be used in various aquatic environments, from freshwater to saltwater areas, underwater structures, or areas with abundant cover, such as submerged vegetation or rock formations. Skillful and thoughtful planning is necessary since the net placement must be adapted to fish behavior, water currents, and habitat dynamics.

The technique offers many attractive and challenging aspects, all of which can lead to the very heart of traditional fishing craft. Understanding and mastering netting opens the door to a world full of possibilities where skill and patience are richly rewarded with fish and experience.

Why Use Netting

The focus is on the strategy and making the net for catching specific fish, which makes it interesting and interactive, mainly since it differs significantly from traditional fishing gear. An intriguing and not strenuous technique means that anglers can fully devote themselves to observing the environment, understanding the behavior of the water, and teaching them what fishing is for them.

Depending on what type of net you use and where you plan to hunt, the net is relatively practical and easy to carry, and everything you need fits in your car or backpack without much trouble. Nets can often be made from readily available materials or purchased cheaply, or you can make your own. Netting has creativity, simplicity for contemplative thinking, and playfulness.

When to Use Netting

Netting excels in slow or shallow waters, such as lakes, ponds, and sluggish rivers, where it is easy to access, and nets can be strategically placed with minimal disturbance to terrain and fish. Remote or uneven locations are the perfect option, as light and portable nets allow easy transportation and placement in hard-to-reach places.

In seas and oceans, these would be coastal areas, estuaries, and shallow bays, where netting is mainly used to target species such as crabs, lobsters, and various fish species, taking advantage of the tides. This technique is excellent for narrow or limited spaces where casting the hook is challenging.

Fishing with nets is particularly suitable for night fishing, as the nets can be set up and left overnight without constant supervision. With the necessary modifications, it can be used in all seasons; when there are storms or very turbulent currents, the nets can be damaged or moved by the current, so it is important to be extra careful.

Why Fish Gather on Netting

Given the famous fish curiosity, fish gather around the net because of the bait, but also because of the structural effects of the net in the water and changes in the environment. Depending on how they are created, the nets often emit smells and movements that mimic natural food, which attracts fish looking for a meal. 

Nets can often provide shelter or create physical barriers that fish use for safety, while the movement of the net and the presence of food remain to attract fish further. If you use the migration routes of specific routes, you can increase the chances of a successful catch because they are in increased need of food.

Fish Species Commonly Caught by Netting

If you are a fan of crabs and lobsters, netting is the technique that will most easily ensure that these delicious fish end up on your plate. Here are some types of fish you can catch with this technique.

• Crabs: Blue Crabs or Dungeness crabs are often caught with nets, especially in coastal areas and estuaries. They are caught using so-called crab pots.

• Lobsters: A species for which demand rarely wanes, and they are one of the most common catches in saltwater. There are so-called lobster nets that will make the process much easier.

• Sardines: These small fish, often used as bait, are usually caught in large quantities with seine nets, especially in commercial fishing.

• Salmon: Salmon are a species often caught with nets called gillnets, especially during their seasonal migrations. They are found in cooler rivers.

• Herring: Similar to Salmon, Herring is a pelagic fish often netted, especially in commercial fisheries in colder waters.

• Catfish: Although uncommon, Catfish can sometimes be caught with nets in fresh waters.

Netting is a versatile technique, but it's crucial to adapt the type of net and the method to the specific fish species and environment. Not all fish have the same weight or behave the same. Fortunately, there are enough different nets on the market to catch even larger fish, giving you the power to adapt and succeed.

Essential Gear for Netting

Net fishing is refreshingly uncomplicated when it comes to gear. There are no rods, lines, or baits to juggle, and they are used only when performing specific strategies, making your fishing experience less burdensome and more enjoyable.

Nets

Each net has a specific purpose and application, depending on the place and terrain where you are fishing and what kind of fish you want to catch. Of course, you can improvise, and here are the most commonly used nets in the netting technique:

• Gillnets: These are vertical nets placed in the water so the fish enter them through the gills. They are designed to be invisible to fish and are often used for species that swim in layers of water. These nets are ideal for fishing Salmon, Herring, and Perch.

• Seine Nets: Seine nets are long nets thrown into the water in a semicircle and then pulled together from the shore or by boat. They can be equipped with weights on the lower part and floats on the upper part. Seine nets are used in coastal areas, estuaries, and shallow waters to catch Clams, Sardines, and other fish that gather in large groups. 

• Trawl Nets: These are large nets pulled behind the boat. Their primary purpose is to catch fish on the bottom or middle layers of water. They are also popular in commercial fishing, especially for catching large quantities of fish such as Sardines, Cod, and Squid.

• Cast Nets: Widespread in netting and among recreationists. They are round and are thrown into the water by hand. When the net opens in the air, it covers a large water surface and descends on the fish present. They are used in rivers and lakes to catch small fish and Crabs and are also helpful in attracting fish to specific areas.

As a recreational angler, you can always make your nets and use them according to your experience. Since nets can pollute water, ensure you don't leave them in the water.

Buoys

Netting requires buoys because they ensure visibility and the safety of nets in the water. Different colors are used depending on where you are and the complexity of the underwater structures.

• Standard Color Buoys: These are the types of colors used to mark the position of the grids. They are usually bright colors like red, orange, or yellow, which makes them easily visible even from a distance. They are made of durable materials that can withstand harsh weather conditions and be in the water for a long time.

• Luminous Colors (LED Buoys): Excellent for netting at night or in foggy and unstable conditions. They are often used in seas and oceans where night fishing can be highly productive. In addition, they ensure that anglers can easily find their nets regardless of the time of day.

• GPS Buoys: These are modern types of buoys equipped with GPS devices that enable precise monitoring of the position of the nets. These buoys are instrumental in large bodies of water where the exact position of the net is crucial for successful fishing. They can send their location data directly to anglers via mobile apps. They are ideal for commercial fishing in oceans and open seas.

• Buoys With Signal Flags: This type combines visual flags with marker colors, thus providing additional visibility and marking. They are equipped with flags visible above the water's surface, making them easy to see even in waves or strong winds.

Netting is a specific technique, and performing it without buoys is hard. Various qualities and options ensure that you know the location and position of the net.

Weights 

The weights help ensure that the nets stay at the desired depth, stabilize them, and enable efficient placement and use. They differ in material and, accordingly, in weight.

• Lead Weights: These weights are very heavy, and you will indeed find the net where you fixed it with them. They are ideal for placing on the bottom of the net to keep it at the desired depth. Lead can be shaped into different shapes and sizes, which makes it easily adaptable to other conditions.

• Rubber Weights: These are made of rubber or similar materials used for smaller nets or when less weight is needed. They are flexible and often less aggressive to the nets, reducing the risk of damage. They are ideal for cast and smaller nets used in rivers and lakes. They provide enough weight to keep the net stable but are light enough to make net handling easier.

• Ceramic Weights: These are made of high-quality ceramics and are used when high corrosion resistance is required. They are also often used in marine nets, such as trawl nets.

• Stainless Steel Weights: These are corrosion-resistant and very durable. They are used when solid and long-lasting weights are required, primarily when using frequently deployed and retracted nets, such as trawlers. Their durability and resistance to corrosion make them ideal for harsh conditions in seawater.

• Cement Weights: Used for heavier nets or when a significant weight is required. Affordable and easily shaped to the angler's needs, they are mainly used in large nets such as gill and trawl nets.

Ensure that the selected weights are neither too light nor too heavy, as they could either damage the net or not fix it properly.

Essential Baits and Lures Used for Netting

Bites and Lures are rarely used in netting, and there are few of them, but yes, they can be used, depending on the type of net and the overall strategy. They are different for salt and freshwater, so please note the following.

Saltwater

Netting in saltwater environments often enriches the menu it presents to the fish with batter and unusual baits. 

Live Baits

Since large trophy species are generally not caught with netting, the live baits used in the seas and oceans are those that like species such as lobsters or crabs.

• Crabs: They are effective for attracting marine fish such as lobsters and crabs and many types of predators. They are also abundantly frequent targets of many fish in freshwater, and their presence usually awakens predatory solid instincts.

• Small Fish and Fish Scraps: Fish scraps, such as heads and fillets, are used to attract larger saltwater fish.

Of course, you don't have to limit yourself to these. Remember that you will place bait into the net, so it must be attractive for fish to bait it.

Artificial Baits

In the fish gear market, so many artificial baits are created with attention to every detail, so finding suitable ones is impossible. It is true, though, not often are used in netting, but you can rely on the following: 

• Floats and Wobblers: This type imitates fish or other marine organisms with frantic movements. Netting can be used to hunt fish such as Sardines and Mackerel. It will disturb the water that can attract the fish.

• Marine Artists: Artists such as silicones and rubber fish are often used for marine fish; some can be enriched with different smells and tastes.

No matter how artificial they are, the more they resemble natural food or imitate the movements characteristic of the target fish's natural prey, the greater the chances of finding the desired fish in your net.

Freshwater

Netting is often used in larger rivers, and various live and artificial baits can also lure the popular fish that swim there.

Live Baits

This group includes insects and other living organisms, as well as bread and dough. Read below to learn why they are used.

• Worms and Larvae: Carp, Perch, and Trout are popular fish to catch. Other aquatic insects are often attracted to fish due to their natural presence in these waters.

• Bread and Dough Balls: Simple and easy to prepare and appeal to fish such as Carp and Tilapia.

• Vegetables and Seeds: In some cases, especially for Carp, baits such as corn, pumpkin seeds, or other plant materials are also used.

Live bait used in netting is advantageous because it is readily available, and with a good setup, most fish will not resist.

Artificial Baits

The practicality of artificial baits is addressed even when netting in fresh waters. Only some people use it, and we advise using those listed below.

• Insects: These baits imitate insects and are very effective for catching freshwater fish such as Trout and Perch. They often take the form of flies, wobblers, or silicones.

• Balls for Baits: Specialized balls with different aromas and tastes, some of which can even be used with meat filling.

Regarding netting, it is always important to mention that no matter where you fish, you should pay attention to your surroundings and not leave nets or bait parts behind.

Where to Do Netting

It's a shame to use only some of the potential netting offers. The best places are larger bodies of water or micro-locations that you know are highly productive with fish. Therefore, it is best to practice netting in the following locations.

Netting on the Open Sea

For netting in the open sea, you will need specific drifting nets. They can drift with the sea currents, covering vast areas and targeting fish found in the middle and deep layers of water, such as Cod and Herring. In this way, you will use large sea areas for maximum catch.

It is good that you use modern navigation and signaling systems to ensure the precision and safety of operations. Netting in the open sea requires good planning and appropriate equipment, but the catch is almost guaranteed.

Netting in Coastal Areas

Netting in coastal areas primarily uses seine nets, which are placed in a semicircle and pulled towards the shore or a boat, and cast nets manually thrown into the water. Coastal areas are rich in smaller fish, such as Sardines, Anchovies, and various shellfish. These nets allow anglers to target fish-rich regions, often with minimal environmental impact. The advantage is easy access to rich fishing spots near the coast.

Netting in Rivers and Reservoirs

The process is similar to freshwater, except other types of nets, such as gillnets and cast nets, are used. Gillnets are placed vertically in the water, catching fish that swim through them, such as Perch, Pike, and Catfish. Cast nets are cast by hand and cover a large water area, targeting species such as Carp and Bream. 

If you choose calmer parts of rivers and reservoirs, seine nets can effectively catch fish that gather in schools. The advantage is the possibility of a top catch, with minimal disturbance of the fish habitat, which is especially useful in limited or slow-flowing waters.

Netting on Coral Reefs and Wrecks

These environments are rich in marine species and provide natural hiding places for many fish. This is where seine nets and cast nets will work best. Seine nets are placed around reefs or wrecks, and cast nets are cast by hand over these areas, quickly covering the fish before they can escape to hiding places. 

It is important to be careful to avoid damaging sensitive ecosystems. Cast nets allow anglers to target species such as Parrotfish, Wrades, and Groupers, which are often present in these rich marine habitats.

Specific Netting Strategies

Although netting sounds like a technique that couldn't be simpler than it is: hunting or collecting fish with the help of a net, the approach varies depending on the type of net and the target species.

Drift Netting

The primary netting strategy is in the open sea, where nets float naturally with the current, covering a large area as they move with the current. It is excellent for fishing for sardines or herring, and in freshwater, it can be used in rivers with a gentle flow for fish that follow the current. 

The advantage of this strategy is their ability to cover large areas and catch fish moving with the current, which makes them useful in situations where fish are spread over larger areas.

Netting in Forms

Netting with a touch of creativity, which involves placing nets in specific shapes and configurations, such as circles, semicircles, or rectangles, enables optimized coverage of particular areas.

In coastal areas, they are placed around rocks and coral reefs, while in lakes or rivers, rectangular nets are used to cover areas near vegetation effectively. The advantage is the targeted coverage of specific locations, which prevents fish from escaping the net and makes a good catch almost inevitable.

Netting with Buoys and Weights

Nets equipped with floats on top and weights on the bottom allow the net to be held in place, preventing it from moving with the current or waves. They are used for fishing in estuaries and coastal areas to catch fish in shallow waters. Also, they are used in hollow bays to trap marine organisms near the bottom.

Nets with Baits

Although netting works great without baits, using them in nets is a strategy that attracts fish into the net. Natural or artificial baits are placed inside the net to attract fish. This strategy is used in a variety of aquatic environments. 

For example, baits are used in the sea to attract Tuna or Sardines, while in rivers, they are used to attract Carp or Trout. By adding bait, the attractiveness and efficiency of the net are significantly increased, which can result in a more significant catch.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, we can only conclude that netting is efficient and affordable for recreational or large commercial fisheries. It's not expensive and a great way to learn more about the wonderful underwater life and its rhythm! Significantly different from traditional recreation techniques, but maybe that's where the secret of attraction lies! 

We'd love to hear from you! What do you think about netting and have you tried this fishing approach? Share with us in the comment section everything you consider worth sharing, and join us in the selfless exchange of fishing tips and ideas!