Last Updated on January 12th, 2022
Best Cast Net for the Money - Top 8 Models Reviewed
Hottest Picks
How We Found the Spotlight For Boat
Experts Interviewed
Fish Finders Tested
HOW WE DECIDED
We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.
56
Models Considered
32
Hours Researched
3
Experts Interviewed
238
Consumers Consulted
BOTTOM LINE
The Bait Buster brand has cultivated a great reputation over the years. They are a trusted brand in the Gulf Coast with people buying their products due to their exceptional quality. The Professional Grade Cast Net is no different.
The cast net can be purchased in a variety of sizes, from 5 to 12 feet in radius. It also comes with a ⅜ squared mesh which is great for beginners as it is good for catching any type of bait.
The next cast net comes to us by Betts, a reputable name in fishing equipment. This net is available in two sizes: Four feet and six feet. The net’s color is white with black small weights attached to it and weights 1 lbs per foot.
Included with every purchase is a utility box, so that you can store the net easily when it is not in use. Inside this utility box, you can also store hooks, tools, lures and other equipment.
Ahi USA’s 600 Pro Series is another great cast net that has quality as one of the top features. This quality though is most effective in the right hands. In this case, it is in the hands of experienced anglers.
This net is relatively bigger than others. As such, this means that it is best for bigger baits like shrimp and minnows. With the net well-tied and knots carefully done, it is a great choice overall.
If you are on a tight budget and want a cast net that is good for any and all users, then look no further than Betts’ Old Salt Cast Net.
One of the good things about this product is that it opens quite well. This makes it an easy use in the hands of any anglers. Moreover, it is a net that is reasonably priced.
The fact that it is easy to use and made by a great company like Betts makes it a good product to consider for anglers on a budget or ones that are just starting out.
Hurricane also makes its own line of cast nets. This one is five feet in diameter, which is great for people who want to catch a lot of fish, or a little bit of fish.
This is another cast net that is mostly ideal for catching fish to use as bait. Like this previous cast net, this one comes with its own utility boxes. Not only can you store the net itself, but you can also store items such as lures, hooks and other tools.
PROS
Good quality
Sinks fast in the water
Comes with a warranty for any defects
Made of mesh nylon
Comes down on fish quickly
Comes with a utility box
Comes with instructions
Good quality
Large net but quite light
Sinks fast in the water
Easy casting for beginners
Opens great when cast
Can be used with fresh or saltwater
Comes with a utility box
Comes with instructions
CONS
Costly
Can easily rip
Costly
A bit slower
Catches fish slowly
Why Trust FishingLab
FishingLab spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers
If you are looking to catch schools of fish all at once, you will need what is known as a cast net. A cast net is a large, circular net that has weights tethered around it. The net is to be thrown out in the water by hand and traps whatever is underneath. The best cast nets are designed to stretch out and sink, so that the window for escape to alerted fish is very small.
Cast nets are mostly ideal for fishermen and fisheries that want to cash a school of smaller fish, so they can use that fish as bait in order to catch a larger fish. Fishermen find these nets useful, as they are able to catch several different fish in an instant, rather than catch one fish at a time, like with your typical fishing rod.
In this review, we will be looking at eight cast nets from companies that include Goture, J-Shanmei and Fitec. We will explain what makes them great in addition to explain what they need improvements on. We will then declare which cast net is the best of the best, for your consideration.
Bait Buster Professional Grade Cast Net
Best of the best
Bottom Line
The Bait Buster brand has cultivated a great reputation over the years. They are a trusted brand in the Gulf Coast with people buying their products due to their exceptional quality. The Professional Grade Cast Net is no different.
The cast net can be purchased in a variety of sizes, from 5 to 12 feet in radius. It also comes with a ⅜ squared mesh which is great for beginners as it is good for catching any type of bait.
PROS
- Good quality
- Sinks fast in the water
- Comes with a warranty for any defects
CONS
- Costly
Summary
Per radius foot, Bait Buster’s net has about 1.5 pounds of lead. With a 25 foot net, it uses braille lines with 100 pound monofilaments. These monofilaments give the net an additional durability. If snagged, any cast net will rip. However, the monofilaments give it a little extra, making it less likely to rip apart.
There are other available mesh sizes. They come in ½ and ⅝. Choosing these mesh sizes make the net better for bigger bait. They will also make it sink even faster in the water, which making it ideal for when anglers go out in deeper waters.
Betts Old Salt Premium Cast Net
Best for the Price
Bottom Line
The next cast net comes to us by Betta, a reputable name in fishing equipment. This net is available in two sizes: Four feet and six feet. The net’s color is white with black small weights attached to it and weights 1 lbs per foot.
Included with every purchase is a utility box, so that you can store the net easily when it is not in use. Inside this utility box, you can also store hooks, tools, lures and other equipment.
PROS
- Made of mesh nylon
- Comes down on fish quickly
- Comes with a utility box
- Comes with instructions
CONS
- Can easily rip
Summary
This net is easy to use. You can cast this net and it will spread fast and sink down quickly, rapping unsuspected fish with little to no time to escape. The cat net is made of nylon, and there are no places for fish to trickle out.
This case net by Betts also included instructions for how to use the net. This net is most ideal for catching bait.
The problem with this net, however, is that it is very easy to get a tear. You could accidentally have this cast net get snagged, and the smallest tear could become a big problem. Once nylon is ripped, its durability takes a complete 180. With this in mind, you need to be extremely careful with this cast net.
Ahi USA 600 Pro Series
Bottom Line
Ahi USA’s 600 Pro Series is another great cast net that has quality as one of the top features. This quality though is most effective in the right hands. In this case, it is in the hands of experienced anglers.
This net is relatively bigger than others. As such, this means that it is best for bigger baits like shrimp and minnows. With the net well-tied and knots carefully done, it is a great choice overall.
PROS
- Good quality
- Large net but quite light
- Sinks fast in the water
CONS
- Costly
Summary
All in all, the Ahi USA 600 Pro Series is ideal for anglers who are on the smaller side. It is relatively lighter than most nets on the market today. While light, it still has enough weight and creates a balance between how easy it is to cast it and how fast it sinks.
The net itself has panel sections created into it. These panel sections are made so that the net can be opened up and laid flat right on the water. The quickness of the sinking is also a good thing to have, as it can be used to great effect when you have a school of quick minnows in your sights, effectively using them for bait.
Betts Old Salt Cast Net
Bottom Line
If you are on a tight budget and want a cast net that is good for any and all users, then look no further than Betts’ Old Salt Cast Net.
One of the good things about this product is that it opens quite well. This makes it an easy use in the hands of any anglers. Moreover, it is a net that is reasonably priced.
The fact that it is easy to use and made by a great company like Betts makes it a good product to consider for anglers on a budget or ones that are just starting out.
PROS
- Easy casting for beginners
- Opens great when cast
CONS
- A bit slower
- Lacks reinforcement
Summary
The mesh that this cast net is made of is quite light and soft. This is why it is a joy to cast and throw out. In the hands of beginners, it makes it easy to get the hang of. At the same time, this also helps with the sinking of the net.
One thing to remember though is that the net is not quite reinforced at the top and bottom portions. Despite that, it is a great affordable cast that beginner anglers can really get the hang of and use to great effect.
Hurricane Cast Net
Bottom Line
Hurricane also makes its own line of cast nets. This one is five feet in diameter, which is great for people who want to catch a lot of fish, or a little bit of fish.
This is another cast net that is mostly ideal for catching fish to use as bait. Like this previous cast net, this one comes with its own utility boxes. Not only can you store the net itself, but you can also store items such as lures, hooks and other tools.
PROS
- Can be used with fresh or saltwater
- Comes with a utility box
- Comes with instructions
CONS
- Catches fish slowly
Summary
This net is great for both freshwater and saltwater. The saltwater will not affect the net in any way, so feel free to use it in saltwater to your heart’s content.
Included with this bet are instructions for how to use it. Each cast net has slightly different instructions for how they work, so even if you know how to cast a cast net, you might do it differently as the company that made this one suggests.
These cast nets are made of monofilament. Monofilament is made of fine strands of polyester twisted together and meshed into a fabric.
This net, however, sinks rather slowly. The weights attached to the net are made of plastic, with 0.5 lbs weight per foot and the net slowly drifts down, allowing smart fish to swim away before you can catch them. You would like a net that traps fish almost instantly, and unfortunately, there is no way for you to speed up this action.
Goture American Saltwater Fishing Cast Net
Bottom Line
Goture’s cast nets come in many different sizes. There are five mesh sizes that span from 8 feet in diameter to 24 feet in diameter. The one that we are reviewing is 8 feet in diameter, and this one is clearly large enough. This cast net is made of handmade monofilament mesh that works to trap bait fish of various different species. It can work in both saltwater and freshwater environments.
PROS
- Can be used with fresh or saltwater
- Comes with a utility box
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Comes in many different sizes
CONS
- Not ideal for deep waters
Summary
This cast net sinks below the water quickly and seals fish quickly. The weights provide a seal at the bottom for a very low probability of escape.
Included with this cast net is a utility box, instructions, and a throwing strap. The utility box is good for storing the net, as well as the strap, fishing equipment and other items.
The throwing strap is meant to be strapped to your wrist, so that when you cast the net, you don’t have any chance of losing it to the sea, lake or ocean.
This is a lightweight net making it easy to use and throw. Not matter if you are a novice or a veteran with cast nets, this is a great net to own.
This net, however, is only great to use in shallow waters. It seems to work very slowly in deep water, and will work faster when you trap fish closer to the water’s surface. Using this net deep into the water makes it seem like you are bobbing for apples, figuratively.
Drasry Fishing Cast Net with Heavily sinkers
Bottom Line
Pick up the Drasry Fishing Cast Net for any type of water. Whether you are using it for fresh or saltwater, this casting net will work in any condition. This is mostly because they come in tire line and monofilament line versions.
Anglers can pick from several sizes, with ranges of 4 to 9 feet in radius. Whatever size is chosen though, anglers can rest assured that it is made with only quality materials.
PROS
- Good in various water conditions
- Comes with pure lead weights
- Easy cast due to golden rolling swivel
CONS
- Does not come with a hard case or bucket for carrying
Summary
While this net doesn’t have a bucket or hard case, it does come with a carry bag that makes it good for transportation. The net itself has a long poly hand braided fishing line of over 40 feet long. On one end of the net, it comes with a strap that allows anglers to not have it slip out of their hands when it is being cast.
On the opposite end is a golden rolling swivel. This swivel is aesthetically pleasing. Apart from that though, it helps greatly with smooth casting out onto the water. The two bottom lines are also quite thick, increasing the bearing capacity.
Betts Hi Tider 8-Feet Mono Cast Net with Lead Weight
Bottom Line
Our final cast net on the list is yet another one from Betts. As you can no doubt see, this is our third cast net from Betts. This is because they have devoted time and effort into their products, making them a trusted brand. The Hi Tider 8-Feet Mono Cast Net with Lead Weight is no exception. For each of their nets, Betts says that it feels and casts like a pro.
There are a variety of sizes for anglers to choose from, and the choice between which size is right is based on what is needed.
PROS
- Comes in multiple sizes for various needs
- Comes in a utility box
- Durable
CONS
- Easily tangled
Summary
Anglers can choose from a variety of sizes for various conditions. The conditions include water conditions and types, as well as for differences in what fish anglers are targeting.
Essentially, the Hi Tider is a good choice for fish up to 5 inches and even baitfish. There are bigger sizes though. For instance, the 8 foot size for instance offers a combination of a wide spread and convenient handling.
Buying Guide: How To Choose The Best Cast Nets? You Should Read Before You Buy!
When in search for the right cast net for you, there are many factors to consider. Here are more specific details about each of the cast net’s main characteristics.
Material
There are two materials that best cast nets are made of nylon and monofilament. One material has a couple of different advantages over the other, as well will explain further.
Nylon is good for cast nets, as it doesn’t absorb water. Nylon is known to tangle less frequently, so your net will always be in perfect condition. Nylon is however more visible to fish in water, and it does not sink underwater as quickly.
Monofilament is the other material. It can sink down fast and is nearly invisible for fish to notice. The downsides of monofilament are that they can absorb water, as well as tangle more frequently.
If you were to ask us which is better, we would tell you monofilament is better, due to the better performance overall.
Weight
Weight is determined by pounds per foot. Pounds per foot is what determines how fast the net sinks underwater. Usually, the heavier the net, the more strength required to throw, but also the faster they sink underwater.
When it comes to size, we usually recommend buying the biggest net that you are capable of throwing. Most men can use a cast net that is seven or eight feet in diameter.
Some states, however, have put limits on how big of a net you can use. If your state has such a limit, go with the biggest net that the state will allow.
Are there ever instances where small nets are warranted? Not really. Small nets can be for women and children who are not capable of throwing normal sized nets. You will want to use the biggest net possible, because that is what will catch you more fish.
Mesh Size
When you consider the importance of the mesh size, you need to pay attention when you are catching small bait fish, you will need weave size that is smaller, so that the fish stays in the net, where you want them to. If you look to cast in shallower waters, where smaller fish mostly tend to live a mesh size of 24 inch tall per 5 feet long is more appropriate.
However, keep in mind that the smaller mesh size, the slower the net will sink, what makes it less efficient to catch any fish. When you target large fish bait, the mesh size is about 1 inch, to be able to quickly cast and effectively sink the net to catch more bait fish.
Learning Curve
If you are a rookie and have yet to throw a net before, you should pick a net that is made to be easy to throw. There are even instructions that go with some of these cast nets that can show you how to throw a cast net. While a certain net might be proven to be top-of-the-line quality, that doesn’t mean much if you do not know how to use it.
Before trying to catch fish in the water, we recommend that you practice throwing in a yard that you may own. You can practice on your own time without ever needing to go to the lake or ocean, and you can better learn how to throw farther and more accurately without having to fish the net out of the water every time.
Final Verdict
The best cast net that we consider in this review is the Goture American Saltwater Fishing Cast Net.
We really like the Goture cast net and all that it has to offer. Not only can you buy it in many sizes and you can use it in any type of water, but it also comes with benefits like a wrist strap and an informative instruction manual. This cast net has all the good qualities that a fisherman could ever want out of a net, and the caveat that we have noted for this product really does not weigh it down all that much, either.
You are sure to catch a lot of bait fish with this net, and have minimal problems as you use it for dozens of fishing trips. While the other cast nets are great, as well, we fell that you will not feel fully satisfied like you would owning Goture’s net. Don’t forget to check out my guide on fish finders which will help you decide with in depth fish finder reviews.
We like to share product recommendations with you and hope you like them! Just to make you aware FishingLab may collect a small share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.
I love to write for readers with a genuine interest in enjoying the fishing. Hence, I started this blog to provide you guides so that you can have a better and more pleasant fishing experience.
James Williams
Staff | FishingLab
Article Name
Best Cast Net for the Money 2020 – Top 8 Models Reviewed (Fish Net, Drag Net, Fishing Net)
Description
//.
Author
James Williams
Publisher Name
Fishing Lab
We like to share product recommendations with you and hope you like them! Just to make you aware FishingLab may collect a small share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.