{{Short description|Type of fishing net}} [[File:Murad-Net Casting.jpg|thumb|260px| ''Casting the Net'', by pioneering Iraqi photographer [[Murad al-Daghistani]], 1930s]]
A '''cast net''', also called a '''throw net''', is a [[Fishing net|net]] used for [[fishing]]. It is a circular [[Fishing net|net]] with small [[Fishing sinker|weights]] distributed around its edge.
The net is [[Casting (fishing)|cast]] or thrown by hand in such a manner that it spreads out while it's in the air before it sinks into the water. This [[Fishing techniques|technique]] is called '''net casting''' or '''net throwing'''. Fish are caught as the net is hauled back in.<ref name="Dunbar">Dunbar</ref> This simple device is particularly effective for catching small [[Bait fish|bait]] or [[forage fish]], and has been in use, with various modifications, for thousands of years. __TOC__ {{clear}}
== Construction and technique == [[File:Normal Atos-7-059.jpg|thumb|The net as it falls into the water]]
Contemporary cast nets have a radius which ranges from 4 to 12 feet (1.2 to 3.6 metres). Standard nets for recreational fishing have a four-foot hoop. Weights are usually distributed around the edge at about one pound per foot (1.5 kilograms per metre). Attached to the net is a '''handline''', one end of which is held in the hand as the net is thrown. When the net is full, a retrieval clamp, which works like a wringer on a mop, closes the net around the fish. The net is then retrieved by pulling on this handline. The net is lifted into a bucket and the clamp is released, dumping the caught fish into the bucket.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Burnley|first=Eric B.|title=Fishing saltwater baits|date=2009|publisher=Burford Books|isbn=978-1-58080-157-7|location=Short Hills, NJ|oclc=297145672|pages=63–64}}</ref>
Cast nets work best in water no deeper than their radius. Casting is best done in waters free of obstructions. Reeds cause tangles and branches can rip nets. The net caster may choose to stand with one hand holding the handline, and with the net draped over the other arm so that the weights dangle, or, with most of the net being held in one hand and only a part of the lead line held in the other hand so the weights dangle in a staggered fashion (approximately half of the weights in the throwing hand being held higher than the rest of the weights). The line is then thrown out to the water, using both hands, in a circular motion rather as in [[hammer throw]]ing. The net can be cast from a boat, or from the shore, or by wading.<ref name="Dunbar" />
<gallery mode=packed heights=110px style=float:left;> File:Kerala fisherman.jpg| Fisherman casting from rocks File:Fishing with cast-net from a boat near Kozhikode Beach.jpg| From a boat in India File:Tank fishing near Unnichai, Batticaloa.JPG| In a pond in Sri Lanka File:Katang youth casts fishing net in Laos.JPG| Boy casting from a riverbank File:Menjaring asa.jpg| On a lake in Indonesia File:Iraq (Babylonia). Euphrates River, fisherman throwing net, sunset scene LOC matpc.23035.jpg| Throwing a net on the [[Euphrates]] </gallery> {{clear}}
There are also optional '''net throwers''' that can make casting easier. These look like a lid from a trash can, including the handle on top. The outside circumference has a deep gutter. The net is loaded along the gutter and the weights are placed inside the gutter. The net is then tossed into the water using the thrower.{{Cn|date=March 2021}}
== Regulations and guidelines == The use of a cast net may be restricted in some areas when stated by use of sign or authorities. Some government entities in states like [[Florida]] state that most shrimp and fish under 8 inches can be caught using, “Cast nets having a stretched mesh size not greater than 1 inch in fresh waters of the state unless specifically prohibited.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Methods of Taking Bait|url=http://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/taking-bait/|access-date=2021-07-31|website=Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission|language=en|archive-date=2021-08-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811200436/https://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/taking-bait/|url-status=live}}</ref>”. While in a state such as [[Illinois]] the law “Provides that all casting nets shall be legal, without size limits, for the capture of shad, minnow,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB3778|url=https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3778&GAID=12&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=85&GA=98|access-date=2021-07-31|website=www.ilga.gov|archive-date=2021-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729014236/https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3778&GAID=12&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=85&GA=98|url-status=live}}</ref>” and many other bait fish. Along with this, different states may also require a fishing license to cast net in waters. In some states, such as Texas, "it is legal only for non-game fish"<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=admin|title=Is it Legal to Fish With A Casting Net|url=https://mywaterearth.com/is-it-legal-to-fish-with-a-casting-net/|access-date=2021-07-31|website=MyWaterEarth&Sky|language=en-us|archive-date=2021-07-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731223851/https://mywaterearth.com/is-it-legal-to-fish-with-a-casting-net/|url-status=live}}</ref> and there are also regulations in place to protect endangered species. If the guidelines outlined by the states and localities are disobeyed, fines and penalties can be brought against the individual who broke the rules. An example of this being that, "The use of cast net or throw net in any other Commonwealth waters is a violation of the Fish and Boat Code and is punishable by a fine and may result in the loss of fishing privileges"<ref name=":0" />
== Biology == [[File:Flickr - ggallice - Net-casting spider.jpg|thumb|left|200px| {{center|[[Net-casting spider]]}}]] [[File:Astyanax vs Kalendio mosaic.jpg|thumb|200px|right| 4th century BC mosaic showing a [[retiarius]] or "net fighter" with a trident and cast net, fighting a [[secutor]]]]
[[Net-casting spider]]s (or retiarius spiders) are stick-like spiders that build webs suspended between their front legs. When prey approaches, the spider stretches its net till it is much larger, and then propels itself onto its prey, entangling it in the web.<ref>[http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/Find+out+about/Animals+of+Queensland/Spiders/Modern+Spiders+Infraorder+Araneomorphae/Net-casting+spiders#.XCCSU88zaV4 Net-casting or Retarius spiders] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224170559/http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/Find+out+about/Animals+of+Queensland/Spiders/Modern+Spiders+Infraorder+Araneomorphae/Net-casting+spiders#.XCCSU88zaV4 |date=2018-12-24 }} ''Queensland Museum''. Uploaded 24 Dec 2018.</ref>
== History == In [[ancient Rome]], in a parody of fishing, a type of [[gladiator]] called a [[retiarius]] or "net fighter" was armed with a [[trident]] and a cast net. The retiarius was traditionally pitted against a [[secutor]].<ref>* Auguet, Roland [1970] (1994). ''Cruelty and Civilization: The Roman Games''. London: Routledge. {{ISBN|0-415-10452-1}}. </ref>
Between 177 and 180 the Greek author [[Oppian]] wrote the ''Halieutica'', a didactic poem about fishing. He described various means of fishing including the use of nets cast from boats.
In [[Norse mythology]] the sea giantess [[Rán]] cast a fishing net to trap lost sailors.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=006EAgAAQBAJ&q=%22Roles+of+the+Northern+Goddess%22|title = Roles of the Northern Goddess|isbn = 9781134778027|last1 = Davidson|first1 = Hilda|date = 2002|page = 179 | publisher=Routledge }}</ref>
There is a reference in the [[New Testament]] to cast netting. Per John 21:6: "He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish."<ref>{{Cite web|title=John 21:6 He told them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it there, and they were unable to haul it in because of the great number of fish.|url=https://biblehub.com/john/21-6.htm|access-date=2021-08-19|website=biblehub.com|archive-date=2021-07-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726013056/https://biblehub.com/john/21-6.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
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== See also == * {{annotated link|Hand net}} * {{annotated link|Shrimp baiting}}
== Notes == {{reflist}}
== References ==
* Burnley, Eric B (2006) [https://books.google.com/books?id=LDnsP7XnLM0C&pg=PA63&dq=%22cast+net%22&ei=qXyySJWbDpPgsQP4-qVJ&sig=ACfU3U3UIpDX-U1A8r9__JgFLJG2h-4VRQ#PPA64,M1 ''Surf Fishing the Atlantic Coast'''] Stackpole Books. {{ISBN|978-0-8117-3283-3}} * Dunbar, Jeffery A (2001) [http://www.nccoastalfishing.com/index.htm?casting.htm~main ''Casting net''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227141419/http://www.nccoastalfishing.com/index.htm?casting.htm~main |date=2021-02-27 }} NC Coastal fishing. Retrieved 25 August 2008. * Atos Giovanelli, [http://www.rezzaglio.net/ ''The art of throw a cast net'']
== External links == {{commons category|Cast nets}} * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTSG6xz4YMQ How to throw a cast net] YouTube. * [https://castnet.hutt.live Cast net] Cast net.
{{fishing tackle|expanded=techniques}} {{fisheries and fishing}}
[[Category:Fishing techniques and methods]] [[Category:Fishing nets]]