Castnet for pogies

[Mr. Sandman]

I have tried a bunch of cast nets...this is an area where you get what you pay for. Go for the CALUSA or Cracker nets. I have a couple of the calusa nets and once you get one you will smile as there is a H U G E difference between the cheap nets you get in most shops and a calusa. The quality is top notch and you will have this net the rest of your life.
I have never tried to cast full grown pogies (have not seen them that often) but with this net I honestly had 200#+ of baby pogies in there... in one cast, it was pulling the boat around. I could not pull the sucker on board. I opened it up and spilled out at least half of them and then filled up my live well with the rest. (made lots of chum) I have a photo of this someplace I will try and find it.

I think the regs that pertain to gill netting. cast nets are OK as far as I know, there may be some limit on square feet but it is reasonable. You want a net that sinks fast. Look for the #/linear foot. Also only use a small mesh on tiny bait in shallow water. if you are in deep water you need a bigger mesh. Calusa has an excellent video too.