Choose the right cast net and your quest to catch bait will be much easier. Choose the wrong one and you’ll have to work much harder (or you might not catch any shad at all).
Using the right tool makes a difference with any job and it’s true when catching shad also.
You wouldn’t try to drill a hole with a hammer, using the wrong cast net is no different. Using the wrong net will slow down your results getting bait or at times make it impossible to catch shad.
There are times when the net you use won’t make much difference. But there are times when the wrong net will make it very difficult, or even impossible to catch shad.
If you’ll use the right tools at the right time catching shad will be much easier.
Before I get into the specifics on choosing a cast net, it’s important to understand the different parts of a cast net. As you learn about how the size and weight of each part impacts your ability to catch shad, this is critical.
Parts Of a Cast Net

How To Choose a Cast Net (And Get The Right One)
Again the wrong tools at certain times will mean no bait. This is especially true in the winter.
Here are some notes that summarize the information covered in the podcast as well as links to some cast nets online. Make sure you keep this information in mind before you buy your first cast net (or your next one).
Here’s a summary of the information covered in the podcast.
1. Check Your Local Laws 
Make sure it is legal to use a cast net to catch shad and learn what the largest size net you can use is.
2. Choose The Right Size Cast Net
Get the largest legal size you can throw in your state.
3. Nylon Or Monofilament Cast Net, Which Is Better?
Mono does not absorb water and it tangles less than monofilament. Monofilament sinks faster in the water than nylon. Always buy nets made of monofilament. Monofilament is less visible in the water also.
4. Stay Away From “Gimmicks” 
You don’t need rings or throwers or any extra junk to help you throw. Just buy a plain cast net and stay away from nets that have throwing rings and other gimmicks built into them and by all means don’t get suckered into buying one of these items from a third party and adding it to your cast net.
5. Choose The Right Mesh Size

This is the size of the spacing of the mesh in the net. Mesh size impacts the size of baitfish that you can catch and how quickly the net sinks in the water.

*  1/4 Inch Mesh – Stay away from these. These are really for catching very small baits like ghosts minnows. These sink really slow which will be an issue in deeper water.
* 3/8 Inch Mesh –  This is a good average size for catching bait. It will catch small shad and you will have fewer issues with fish being “gilled” (their heads stuck in the net). You’ll catch bigger shad and all of the smaller shad with this mesh size. This is a good mesh size for when the bait is not in deeper water and if you want smaller baits. The biggest problem with a net this size is you will still catch lots of very small shad (which is why I don’t use a 3/8 inch mesh).
* 1/2 Inch Mesh – The larger the mesh the faster the net sinks.