How to Throw a Net for Mullet

If you've ever taken a trip to the U.S. Gulf Coast region--particularly off the coast of Florida, Alabama and Mississippi--you may have seen a fish or two jumping across the water. These could be mullet, which are typically caught with a cast net. Mullet thrive in coastal waters and feed mostly off of algae and smaller bugs and fish. In order to catch mullet you must first learn to throw the net properly.

Things You'll Need

• 6 foot radius cast net or larger
• Bait

Instructions

1. Chum the water with bait near a school of mullet. Look for one or two of the fish skipping across the water; mullet travel in schools so the presence of some of the fish is usually a good indicator of more. Good baits to use are chopped up worms, earthworms, corn, or bacon.

2. Insert your wrist into the loop on the end of the hand-line. If no loop is available tie the hand-line around your wrist. Coil up the rest of the hand-line into your left hand. Grab the cast net with your left hand just below the horn. The horn is the ring with an indentation around the center, where the top of the net is tied.

3. Lift your left arm up, extending the cast net over your head. Grab the net slightly below your waist with your right hand. Transfer the cast net from your right hand into your left hand and hold it at the same level. The net should now be all in your left hand with the lead line (the outside rope perimeter of the net with lead sinkers attached) touching the ground.

4. Reach down with your right hand to where your left thumb and index finger meet. Divide the cast net into two equal halves; holding half in the left hand and half in the right. Roll the half of the net you're holding in your right hand over your left thumb. Note that now you should have two sections of lead line hanging. One section should be slightly higher than the other.

5. Grab the lead line with your right hand at the point where the high and low sections of lead line meet together. Place the lead line between your teeth. Ensure that you do not bite the net or the lead, only the rope.

6. Pick up the remaining part of the lead line with your right hand. Hold the line with your thumb and index finger.

7. Rotate your right palm up and bring it close to your left hand. Fold the net hanging over your left thumb into your right hand. Stand with your feet placed shoulder-width apart and face the area that you intend to throw the net.

8. Keep both hands close together. Keep your feet in the same position. Pivot your hands and body 90 degrees to the left, then pivot back towards your target. Extend your arms simultaneously as your rotate back toward the target and release the net at a slight upward angle. The idea here is to release the net somewhat like a frisbee. Pull on the line to close the net once it has reached your target depth and retrieve it.

Tips & Warnings

• This process can be reversed for left handed fishermen.

• Scout your area thoroughly for mullet before attempting to throw.

• Practice throwing the net in a pool or shallow water until you get used to the technique before attempting to use it for fishing.

• Always ensure that you have a valid fishing license before attempting to fish.

• Use caution when fishing in open water.

References

• Cast Net World: How to Throw a Cast Net
• Gulf-Shores-Travel-Guide: Mullet Fishing - A Lot of Fun with a Cast Net
• The Outdoor Lodge: Mullets & Mojarras

Resources

• Cast Net World: Bait and Mullet Cast Nets