How to Make & Mend Cast Nets

As a live-bait fresh and occasional salty water fisherman, I have been surfing the net-making videos and even made a few shuttles and tried once or twice to patch up my old store-bought mono cast nets. It just wasn't coming together for me. I'm thrilled with the book because now I get it and need only to practice a little bit before starting a real net. The netting described in the book is mainly for fishing, not for catching bait.Smaller-mesh bait nets would take a crazy amount of time by hand and may yet be best made from panels-as are those super-premium/custom and also cheapo nets commercially available. With this book you can build your own bait (or fish) net of panels to your personal specifications. But the emphasis is on a fully hand-made net.The book makes it clear that nylon works and is preferred by some but that mono is more popular, but not as easy to work with. I'll know whether I want to tackle making a mono net after I've made and fished with a nylon net. But I can already picture my net with patterns of colored mono!When I get a net or hammock made, I'll come back and share a pic or two. It may take a few years, or not.Methinks after a net or two, that a hammock would be rather easy. I now sleep in a hammock so mine will be modified from the book form (I don't want spreader bars). Using the knowledge from the book and experience from making a cast net, one could also make nets for cargo, toys, laundry, decor, or whatever he/she chooses. Information is power, get some!

I wanted an insight as to what I would need to make and mend cast nets and this book, "How to Make and Mend Cast Nets" by Ted Dahlem, in Paperback, is a really good start to learning about the subject. Dahlem details the work you will face if you damage your cast net and face either another 50-150$ outlay for a new net. You can use monofilament or multifilament line to weave and make almost like new you net rather than discard it. As a matter of fact this book will lay out information for construction of a new net from scratch if you have the knowledge and developed skill to weave one for yourself. The appendix A gives useful information on the knots you will use, splicing information and whipping a line splice to connect two ropes or lines. Appendix B is a glossary of the terms used in the book. Appendix C gives Product Sources for Materials needed for repair and construction, or just buying of Nets. Mr. Dahlem give a thorough account of how to cast a net over several pages with pictures of him in his short tight shorts, necessary for casting to waiting schools of bait. Methods of construction will give you the option of what method of weaving you can use, from several described in the book. If you choose to purchase this book, you will know so much more about you net, that you surely will consider making one in the future, from line or from purchased bulk netting. Good bait fishing.

This book reveals the secret techniques that you need to know for making any type of complex casting net.Using this book and watching videos on YouTube.com helped me to learn a new hobby and maybe even a new survival skill. I learn more and more as I reread the basics several times. The video tutorials are complimentary to learning this new skill.

I am extremely pleased with the content, instructions and knowledge/ experience of the author. This is an excellent reference guide for anyone who likes keeping their hands busy building functional and beautiful products. I have relatively decent knowledge of knots and cordage, but still was intimidated by the idea of making my own nets. This book really helped me overcome that feeling. The author gives such a clear understanding of the process and relaxing benefits of net crafting. As I started making nets, The extra information became an incredible aid! He adds charts of knot patterns and numbers of knots so you can reference the chart rather than counting hundreds and thousands of knots. Very helpful! He also includes various starting patterns and different knot sequences so you can essentially custom build your very first net with little or no knot experience. Very good choice to add to your reference library! I also found- [...], to be a very good supplier of net crafting tools. Good luck and enjoy a very rewarding hobby!

The book is informative, and short for the price, but well thought out.I am not sure that reading the book can bring mastery. It does try to explain the method of casting out the net, but I dare say, that I believe that a demo DVD would need to be included. For that reason, I am giving it a four. But, by no means am deterring anyone from investing in this book. It is a good read, and a good source book to have on hand while sailing or if marooned on an island too. One can never have enough fishing skills on one's brain at times like that. :) If you do buy it, enjoy the read.

Just kidding, I just love smoked mullet and can't afford to keep buying expensive custom nets!Book is primarily concerned with weaving your own net from mono-filament or nylon. As I can't imagine tying over 20,000 knots, I purchased this book for the relatively short segment on panel net construction. It is helpful, but you'll probably need some more information from online to fill in some less detailed parts.

My husband has self taught himself to build castnets. This book has been very helpful to him.

As expected

A very good tome about the art of cast net making. It is written with words short enough that even Donald Trump could understand some of them.

explanations of the expanding netting pattern