fishing net with small holes

Commercial Fishing Nets: What Type Should You Use?

Fishing is no doubt among the most popular recreational activities nowadays. That is because most people appreciate that it hones concentration skills and allows them to relax in nature. Even so, fishing is also one of the best commercial ventures for people who want the highest returns. For this, you need to realize there are diverse fish types, migration patterns, and behaviors. To maximize your profits, you should know the right technique for the fish you want to catch.

Netting is one of the best methods of commercial fishing. The ones available at hunting shops in Michigan is meant to maximize your catch and reduce the time you spend on the water. Though different fish netting types exist for commercial anglers, the following are among your best choices.

Seine Nets

In seine netting, large fishing nets will be slung into the water. A weight is attached to the nets’ bottoms to hold the mesh while a buoyed float keeps them open. Seine nets are primarily used for river fishing in combination with seiner boats. Danish and purse seine nets are the ones used for commercial fishing.

Purse seine netting involves a net with a purse line running to the bottom of the net. This string is pulled to keep fish in the net from escaping. Purse seine fishing is a sustainable fishing method that has minimal weight. It, however, is unsuitable in rough waters and for deep-sea fishing. Danish seine nets use nets that look like large conical shaped containers. Though useful and commercially viable, the nets increase the odds of your catch escaping during the drag.

Gillnets

Fishing net

These are used for freshwater and ocean fishing. Gillnets comprise vertical netting panels with buoyed floats. You can choose from set and encircling gillnets. Set gillnets include one net with a cork line that hangs them vertically. They are often used with boats. Encircling gillnets are primarily used for fishing in shallow depths. Small boats set or encircle the net to scare the fish into getting entangled into the net.

Drift Nets

These are attached to slow-moving boats. The nets will drift along the water current to catch fish. The most common fish caught using drift netting include squid, salmon, and tuna. The net used in this case is lightweight and fragile and will not harm the water body floor. Drift netting also guarantees a considerable catch in one run and suffices for freshwater fishing.

Trammel Nets

These are three-layered nets that are used between float and lead lines. The outer layer of a trammel net forms a solid wall that traps the fish while the inner layer is made of small mesh. The outer net layers are constructed of nylon, whereas the inner ones are made of multi or monofilament.  Trammel netting is used for catching crustaceans and fish.

With one of the above nets, you are sure to make a healthy profit from commercial fishing. Even so, there are local regulations on the net types you can use in different waters. Be familiar with these before heading out to avoid hefty penalties.