Step-by-step instructions: How to throw a cast net

Developing a reliable, repeatable ‘pancake cast’ key to catching live bait

It’s definitely not rocket science, but throwing a cast net is a skill that confounds lots of anglers.

For Tommy Vidrine, who specializes in catching big speckled trout around Grand Isle and needs to have pogies in his livewell this time of year, being able to catch live bait was the motivation he needed to master the art of throwing a cast net.

“I said, ‘I’ve got to learn how to throw this thing if I want to continue to get pogies,’” Vidrine said. “So I went on the Internet and I Googled the best way to throw a cast net. I tried three different ways, and the last one was pretty simple.

“Anybody can do it, if you practice it.”

His first bit of advice: Hone your casting skills on dry land.

“I learned in my driveway. I got down there and practiced instead of in a boat – it’s solid ground and comfortable,” Vidrine said. “When you want to learn, do it comfortably — not in a boat with the wind blowing and you rocking around. Do it in an easy spot.”

And at least to begin with, the smaller the net the better, he said.

“They should probably start off with a 5-foot net,” Vidrine said. “It’s  a lot easier to handle and practice with, and you can still catch some bait. Once they get good, they can move up a foot at a time. That’s what I did.”

Half the battle is getting the net correctly positioned in each hand, which is detailed in the step-by-step photos for this story. Once he gets to the toss, Vidrine lets physics — and the lead-weight-lined rope at the bottom of the net — take over.

“Then it’s all centrifugal force,” Vidrine said. “It’s really easy. At first I thought it was impossible, but the guy on the Internet made it look so easy.

“Now I don’t even think about it.”

Vidrine shared one more bit of net advice, especially if pogies will be what you’re targeting.

“Do not buy a blue cast net,” he said. “They’ll see it coming in deep water. In shallow water they don’t have a place to run, but in deep water, they see that blue coming down and scatter. In deeper water, they’re way too fast and way too smart.”

About Patrick Bonin 1315 Articles
Patrick Bonin is the former editor of Louisiana Sportsman magazine and LouisianaSportsman.com.