Cast nets

there are only certain places that allow the use of cast nets so make sure you can use them there.

Part of a days fishing in FL...not so much here.

Most metro lakes don't allow them.

I don't see any rules against them in the waters I intend to use. I just picked one up yesterday at Cabelas and gonna try and catch these big schools of shad swimming around

Just spoke with my local warden, in good to go.

So anybody have tips?

I have used a cast net to catch gizzard shad in both Prewitt and Jumbo. I am not very good at throwing it, but still manage.
The shad die quickly, so be prepared to freeze them ASAP.

Very good bait for catfish.

Good luck

shad are more active as soon as the sun goes down this time of year you can find them cruising the shore line just about the entire lake is fair game. pre spawn. If there is a light at a bout ramp I would start in that location. Other wise its pretty tough from shore. You need a boat to find them with sonar and then you would cast to them.
The other tip I would give is watch for bird sign and you can also just wait until they surface and find them that way.
Dont cast into rocks or weed beds.
If you learning to cast? watch you tube vids and practice, start with about a 3 foot net and work your way up to a larger net.
Each size net requires a new technique that you need to practice with.
larger nets can be used easier from boats the smaller ones I would use from shore. All game fish must be released when caught in a net.

Make sure your dia of holes are correct too. Some places here in Colorado sell the illegal ones

If FL we use floating bait (basically fish food) to get the fish to come up to the surface... then toss the net.

While not shad, the bait we target (pilchards, etc) are very similar. Don't know if you can use bait for netting here...

Concrete boat ramps are the best place for me. They heat up sooner and bring in the shad. Plus you won't get it hung up on big rocks. Good luck

At one time Cabela's did not carry the 1/4 mesh in at least some Colo. stores and one of our members returned his. One year the regs did not mention the mesh size but the last time I checked, it had to be 1/4 inch or less. Different manufacturers make different designs and quality of nets and when I bought mine, I went with a Super Spreader made by Fitec as it had the reputation of being the best one to throw and spread. That was a few years ago.

I have fished with live shad in Texas and most people there put there live shad in a round bucket. They claim that they will live longer. we were fishing for strippers.