We are quickly approaching spring and we at Palmetto Bait and Tackle want to make sure you are well equipped to catch your own bait this spring. We will always have the live shrimp you need for a great day on the water but there are other baits that don’t do well in captivity that we generally don’t sell. As mentioned, we will always have your live shrimp in the shop and we try to carry pin fish and fiddler crabs, however pin fish and fiddler crabs are sometimes tougher for us to get than live shrimp. As spring approaches, it is good to carry some other live baits that can be easily cught with the right cast net!! Greenbacks are a great bait that do very well for all sorts of fishing and are pretty hearty in a live well for a day on the water. You will also hear greenbacks being called “white bait” or “Pilchards” around here. We generally do not stock greenbacks because this bait does not do well in captivity. Once the water warms up, the two most common places to cast net greenbacks is on the grass flats or at the skyway bridge. The three most important things needed to catch greenbacks are location, chum and a cast net.
Location as previously mentioned would be grass flats and/or the skyway bridge. Chum is crucial to have the most success of bringing the greenbacks to you so you can catch them. We sell a powdered chum at the shop that is a dry chum infused with menhaden oil that you will put a small amount of water in it to make “dough balls” (consistency of cookie dough). If there is a current, toss the dough balls against the current so the chum drifts nearest to your boat. You will see flashes in the water and at that point you throw the net.
The proper cast net is just as important as having the right location and chum because cast nets come in many different mesh sizes and weights. When throwing your cast net at the skyway bridge generally you will want a heavier net which would be 1.4 to 1.6 pounds per foot. With the deeper water and current at the bridge a heavier net really helps. When throwing on the grass flats you can use a 1lb to 1.1lb net in that much shallower water.
The mesh size of your cast net is important certain times of year. When the greenbacks are smaller you will want to use a ¼” mesh so the bait doesn’t get stuck in the net as badly, we call that “getting a Christmas tree”. When the greenbacks are nice size then throwing a 3/8″ mesh net is perfectly fine. I choose to just throw a ¼” mesh net year-round because I prefer throwing my net on the grass flats. Keep in mind the smaller mesh net will have more resistance and will not sink as fast when you’re at the bridge.
We have many different brands of cast nets in many different mesh sizes, radius and weights. We are always happy to help you get set up with the proper cast net for the type of areas you want to throw your net. We also carry the best chum to get the job done. Stop by Palmetto Bait and Tackle and check out our selection of cast nets so you -can be well equipped to catch your own greenbacks this spring and summer!
