Cast Nets for Bait (2026)

Catching your own bait comes down to three numbers on a cast net's label (radius, mesh size and weight per foot) and one question for your state: how big a net is legal where you throw it.

How we chose: we did not test these nets; sizes and weights come from the makers' Amazon listings, and each was sold by the brand's own store and in stock on September 30, 2026.

Five cast nets side by side

Prices are Amazon's, as of the time shown, and subject to change. Details

Radius, mesh and weight: reading the label

Radius is the net's length from the horn at the center to the lead line. It sets how much water the net covers and how hard it is to throw. Juju calls 7 to 8 ft "the easiest starting point for shore, pier, and dock casting" and 10 to 12 ft the size for deeper water "once you've got the technique down."

Mesh is measured as the square's side. Bassdash says 3/8 in suits "small to medium baits (3in. or longer)." BasicGear's Pancake drops to 1/4 in for bait that would slip through.

Weight per foot is the lead line's weight for each foot of radius. More weight sinks faster and closes the bottom before bait escapes, which Juju and Drasry both give as the reason. It also makes a bigger net heavier to throw.

Lead, zinc-iron or covered weights

Most nets carry lead. Juju and BasicGear's Pancake say "real lead," and Drasry's other 3/8 in net uses "pure lead sinkers."

Two nets here skip bare lead. BasicGear's Zinc Iron net uses "galvanized zinc iron sinkers for rust resistance (with proper care)," and Drasry's 4 ft uses zinc-iron at 1.1 lb per foot. Bassdash covers its weights in plastic.

Check your state's rules before you throw

Cast net rules are set by each state and differ by species, water and season. Two examples:

Texas. The Texas Parks and Wildlife legal-devices page says a cast net "may not be greater than 14 feet in diameter," is legal "only for taking nongame fish and other aquatic animal life including crabs, crayfish, and shrimp," and that "in salt water, nongame fish may be taken for bait purposes only."

By the makers' radius sizing, a 7 ft net spreads 14 ft across, so the 8 ft nets here are over the Texas line.

Florida. For recreational shrimping, FWC allows a "cast net with a stretched length (the distance from the horn at the center of the net, with the net gathered and pulled taut, to the lead line) no greater than 14 feet." Its mullet rules list cast nets as legal gear for mullet.

Other states have their own limits and closed areas. Check your state's current saltwater regulations, and your license requirements, before your first throw.

Where each net fits

• Learning, or throwing from a kayak or a small dock: the Drasry 4 ft, the smallest net here, which Drasry pitches at first-timers.
• Wading flats and beaches: a 6 ft net with 3/8 in mesh, the BasicGear Zinc Iron or the Bassdash in 6 ft.
• Boats and seawalls with deeper water: the Juju 8 ft, where the rules allow it.
• Glass minnows and small shrimp: the BasicGear Pancake's 1/4 in mesh.

Once the bait is in the bucket, it needs air. Our guide to live bait aerators and buckets covers rechargeable and battery aerators and insulated buckets. Rinse the net in fresh water after each trip; our anti-corrosion sprays guide covers the swivel.

Caring for a cast net between trips

The makers' own extras tell you what wears out. BasicGear and Drasry ship repair line and a tool with their nets, so expect to mend torn mesh yourself. Juju includes "a breathable storage bag to keep your net dry between trips." BasicGear's rust claim for its zinc-iron weights comes with a condition: "with proper care."

That care is simple: rinse the net, lead line and swivel in fresh water, let the net dry open, then store it in its box or bag.

Nets we left out

Betts and Fitec nets were sold on Amazon only by resellers such as Hunter's Bundle, Profline and UnbeatableSale when we checked. Calusa nets were sold by "Calusa Trading," and we could not confirm it is Calusa's own store. Best Fisher's nets were sold by PFS Products, a different name from the brand.

We found no CPSC recall of cast nets from these brands in our recall tracker.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size cast net should a beginner buy?

The makers disagree. Drasry and BasicGear pitch their nets at beginners and sell them from 4 ft; Juju, whose line starts at 7 ft, calls 7 to 8 ft the easiest starting point for shore, pier and dock casting. In Texas, stay at 7 ft or under.

How long is the hand line?

It varies: 30 ft on the Juju, 32 ft on the Drasry and 32.8 ft on the Bassdash, per the listings. Bassdash describes its line as floating.

Can I use a cast net for game fish in Texas?

No. Texas Parks and Wildlife limits cast nets to nongame fish and other aquatic life such as crabs and shrimp, and in salt water, nongame fish taken with one are for bait only.

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SaltProofLab is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Regulations are quoted from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as of September 30, 2026.