Question abut Cast Nets, all cat masters please read.

[shb]

In Nebraska we can only use cast nets , starting in july and only for shad and alewives.


What is your states regulation on using cast nets?

Im interested in finding out how other states game and fish agencies feel about cast nets, specifically whether or not they are a threat to their fisheries due to illegal transplanting of fish and, or , overharvest by unscrupulous citizens?

How many of you use cast nets to gather bait,  or know of someone who does.

[BaitGal]

Texas allows casting nets in some of their waters for catching baitfish (non game) only. And you can use them year round, just like the fishing season is year round on inland rivers and lakes. (I'm not sure about the coastal waters regulations since I have never fished them).
We use castnets when their are quite a few minnows in a shallow area.
It seems that if the water is too deep, the minnows have a chance to skirt under them before the weights reach the bottom.

[Thomas Krupinski]

Here in Arizona we use them to catch shad to fish for white bass in Lake Pleasant.  There is a size limit and I believe it is 3' for the net.  

I do have problems at times as the shad tend to gather in the sunken desert brush and it has torn a couple of my nets, one beyond repair.