The basic tools used in fishing net making and cast net repair are net shuttles and net gauges.
Net shuttles are essential cast net making tools used for holding, dispensing and working with nylon twine as the cast net is made or repaired. Net shuttles are usually made of lightweight plastic and come in a variety of sizes. The size of shuttle that a fishing net maker uses is determined by the size of the twine and the mesh size of the cast net.
A shuttle used for making and repairing cast nets has to be large enough to hold an adequate amount of twine yet still fit through the small mesh of the net being made or repaired.
A net gauge is the other essential tool used in the making and repair of cast nets. Net gauges are used to give the net mesh its uniform size. Gauge size is selected by the size of net mesh you want to make. Net gauges are typically made of plastic. Gauges can be purchased or made to custom sizes from readily available material such as wood
The twine used in fishing net making should be bonded nylon. Netcraft's bonded nylon has a special treatment to firm up the knots which otherwise might slip. Nylon is very strong and has a high yield of feet per pound because of its smaller diameter for any given line strength. As for resistance to the elements and holding up under hard use, nylon is seldom surpassed among our modern fibers.
Our Make Nets - Here's How Book gives complete instructions on how to make and repair netting used in a wide variety of applications such as landing nets, seines, turtle traps and hammocks.
See just how easy it is to make your own fishing nets by viewing our on-line video.
Learn to Make Fishing Nets Video