Flounder netting
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Newbies Corner
Forum Description: If you're new to fishing this is the place to ask any questions about getting started ...
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=94744
Printed Date: 23 Jun 2026 at 10:17am
Topic: Flounder netting
Posted By: Chris B
Subject: Flounder netting
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2013 at 7:02pm
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I was out doing some surfcasting today at Foxton and my mate got talking to a fella down the beach that reckoned flounder netting was a good way to catch a feed down there. We got talking on the drive home and I thought it would be fun to give it a go. Problem is I haven't got a clue where to start. To be specific, I am going to be doing it from the shore, I don't have a boat. I do have waders  H&F (Palmy) was pretty helpful, but he said there is a lot of bycatch (Kahawai that would have been dead a while without bleeding so not great for eating)? Also looked on http://www.fishingkites.co.nz/flounder_fishing/flounder_set_net_fishing_tips.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.fishingkites.co.nz/flounder_fishing/flounder_set_net_fishing_tips.html which is a great site, explains basically what gear you want but still not sure what to do with it! Then there's the regulations which I assume are: http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Recreational/Fishery+Management+Areas/Central/Finfish.htm" rel="nofollow - http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Recreational/Fishery+Management+Areas/Central/Finfish.htm Most of what I can find on YouTube etc is about spearing or netting from a boat. Just wondered if someone can give me an idea of where, when and how to get me started? Are there any good books about the subject? I would be looking at going to the Foxton river mouth. Cheers. |
Replies:
Posted By: Chris B
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2013 at 7:07pm
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p.s. tips for where to get gear would be appreciated. i see there's some stuff on trade me but not sure what i need, i'm guessing a net, a couple of floats (can i use a couple of drench containers or similar) and a couple of anchors? if anyone sees anything appropriate on tm please let me know |
Posted By: pjc
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2013 at 8:43pm
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any float will do,just need name on it,read rules as far as setting,cannot block entire estuary or let dry out etc. |
Posted By: Big_red_hunter
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2013 at 8:56pm
| Put bags in the net to keep it on the bottom and you'll avoid all the bycatch. Tie the lead line and float together every 3m or so. You want the float line about 300mm off the bottom. |
Posted By: part-timer
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2013 at 8:57pm
| The kahawai will be fine smoked.. |
Posted By: 3rnzir
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 7:08am
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Check out Action Fishing Nets. Tell them where you plan netting and they will custom make for you. I went for a lead core line on the bottom of net. Will bag the net for you. They do a lot of work for commercial netters. They give good advice for newbies to netting too. ------------- Peace.Via superior firepower.. |
Posted By: Chris B
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 5:59pm
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Sorry for the delay in replying, for some reason I didn't get an email to say more posts had been made. Appreciate your replies.
OK, no danger of blocking the foxton estuary if i'm just wading, but in regards to it drying out I would have to go in pretty deep? This is an embarassing question but do you set the net at right-angles to the shore or parallel? Couldn't find anything online to explain that. Bit short on videos/books on flounder netting so it seems.
Great, beginning to figure it out a bit now thanks for that. 3rnzir further down suggested a company that puts the bags in for you.
Nothing wrong with smoked kahawai
Thanks a lot, I had a look at their http://actionfishing.co.nz/" rel="nofollow - website and http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchString=flounder&rptpath=Member_711498&type=Search&searchType=Member_711498&generalSearch_keypresses=8&generalSearch_suggested=0" rel="nofollow - trade me store . They do look like a good supplier and prices much better than H&F. They have a http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/fishing/salt-water/nets/auction-642443167.htm" rel="nofollow - set net 5 1/4" x 30m and a http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/fishing/salt-water/nets/auction-643004452.htm" rel="nofollow - tangle net 5" x 30m ... What is the difference between these? Tangle net is about $12 cheaper and has floating top rope instead of floats. Apart from that I wouldn't know which one to go for. Both lead core and bagged. Will give these guys a shout. |
pjc wrote:Posted By: pjc
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 6:17pm
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the odd times i have used a net i have put it right angles to tidal flow,go up stream from net i.e up tidal currant if going out and stir up mud and it should flush flounder down towards net ------------- Sex at 58.Lucky I live at 56 |
Posted By: Chris B
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 6:24pm
That's got me a bit confused, I'm not sure how people get 30m out from the shore at Foxton to set their nets (without a boat)... Apparently they do it but it gets deep fairly quickly, can't figure out how it works. I was thinking you'd put it parallel to the shore in waist-deep water at low tide then leave it over the high tide. Sounds like I've got it all a bit wrong? |
Posted By: pjc
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 7:38pm
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thought you may of been in a estuary,never mind,someone on here will have the answers for you ------------- Sex at 58.Lucky I live at 56 |
Posted By: Chris B
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 7:50pm
OK mate sorry for the confusion I should have explained earlier, Foxton is a river mouth (Manawatu) that goes deep reasonably quickly. Not somewhere you could wade for ages, at least not further towards the mouth. Haven't explored much back towards the yacht club maybe this is where I should be looking. Yes if anyone does have any local knowledge I'd be grateful. Cheers pjc :) |
Posted By: Coochdog
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 8:27pm
| I dont know your area at all ,but you dont have to have your net set in a straight line.You could set it in a U shape starting from the shore and going out as far as you can forming a trap. Or try dragging the net in the same formation.Where i usually set my net ,if put out in a straight line the flounder just cruise along the net and swim around it (clean water most of the time) I have more sucess using the above method.Get out and have a go you'll get em,Took me 5 or 6 attempts before i started catching. |
Posted By: Chris B
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2013 at 9:39pm
Thanks for this, you're right I should give it a crack. |
Posted By: WellWellWell
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2013 at 10:31am
| You will have to set it at low tide in knee deep water along the river by the mud flats when you set it you will need to set your anchors into the mud with your foot on the edge of the drop off. It is best to only set on the smaller tides as your net can get filled with sticks etc |
Posted By: kahawai_guy
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2014 at 11:26pm
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Hi, Sorry to dredge up this old post, it just seemed relevant to my questions. I've just purchased a net that is 20m by 25mesh deep. It has floats and extra lead on the bottom rope. I've taken the net out once so far and as expected got nothing on my first try. Can someone give me some guidance on drag technique please? Specifically, how deep the shallow person should be, how fast you should both be going, should one person be Walking ahead of the other (if so which, deep or shallow dragged?), when coming back in should the shallow dragger stop or walk slowly at an angle to the beach how many meters should each drag be for best results? Also is there any Recommendations on how to to age the drag easier. I've also heard that people tie a link from the float rope to the bottom rope at regular intervals. Can someone please elaborate as to why this is done, and over how many meters on my 20 Metre net I should do this? Sorry for the brain dump above, thanks. |
Posted By: Chris B
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2014 at 9:08am
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Can't help, only done set netting. Are you just targetting flounder? For general drag netting might be worth starting a new thread i would think the right people would notice it more. Good luck
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Posted By: Blindspot
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2014 at 9:28am
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The action fishing nets are awesome, I have both the mullet and flounder. kahawai_guy if you have a 25mm mesh you have a bait net, its against the rules to keep anything other then what the net is intended for. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: kahawai_guy
Date Posted: 16 Feb 2014 at 9:58pm
| It's 25 meshs deep. All good, have some flounder over the weekend. Anyone with questions, please me :-) |