266 MARINE PRODUCTS OF COMMERCE 



in addition to the one made of netting. At the outer (offshore) end of the netting 

 is a pound of four sides of netting where the fish are held. The inshore side of this 

 pot or pound is let down when the net is fishing. When quantities of fish are 

 observed moving toward the pot, the fishermen sometimes follow in small dories 

 and frighten the fish into entering it. Two men stationed at the opening pull up 

 the front sheet of netting, thus trapping the fish. The bottom of the pound is 

 then lifted and the fish removed with dip nets. 



Fyke Nets. This form of gear is largely used in fresh-water fisheries, usually in 

 rivers and streams, for the capture of such species as carp, catfish, yellow perch, 



Fig. 13-24. Fyke net showing hoops supporting webbing and funnels through 

 which fish work their way and become trapped. 



suckers, etc. The fyke net is a long bag of netting, shaped like a funnel and dis- 

 tended by a series of wooden hoops diminishing in size from 6 or 8 feet in 

 diameter at the mouth to 2 feet or less near the pocket. The number of hoops 

 varies from 2 to 15, but averages 6. The netting is of 4- or 5-inch meshes at the 

 open end, diminishing to 1 or 2 inches at the bag end, which is made of fine 

 twine. These nets average about 10 or 12 feet in total length and are collapsible, 

 making them easy to store and handle. 



Cast Nets. This type of gear is popular throughout the Gulf States and on the 

 Pacific Coast, where they are used commercially in shallow waters along beaches 

 and river banks. A wide variety of fish are taken with cast nets and at one time 

 they were an important item of gear in the shrimp fishery. This is one of the few 

 forms of gear used in greater numbers by sportsmen than by commercial fisher- 

 men. 



Cast nets are circular in shape when spread flat and average 12 to 18 feet in 

 diameter. Numerous leads are attached to the circumference and small cords, 

 radiating from the control line and passing through the center ring, are secured 

 to this lead line. These nets must be knit by hand as their construction is compli- 

 cated by the fact that meshes must be added in almost every row to achieve the 

 proper circular shape. Linen twine, similar to those in gill nets, size ^%, or its 

 equivalent in cotton, are used, the meshes varying from IV2 to 3 inches. 



Considerable skill is required to handle effectively a cast net since the netting 

 must be draped over one arm and thrown in such a manner that it will spread out 

 in a flat circle when it hits the water. Before being thrown the control cord is 

 usually secured to the wrist of the fisherman. When the net lands in the water, 



