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Understanding Fishing Net Damage and When Repairs Are Needed

Fishing nets face constant wear and tear from their environment. Salt water, rocks, sharp shells, fish hooks, and repeated use create damage that reduces a net's effectiveness and lifespan. Understanding what types of damage occur helps you know when repair becomes necessary rather than replacement.

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The most common damage to fishing nets includes holes, tears, and fraying along the edges. Holes can range from small punctures caused by shell fragments to large tears from snagging on underwater debris. Mesh deterioration happens gradually when nets remain wet or exposed to sunlight for extended periods. The twine or netting material weakens and becomes brittle, making it more prone to breaking during use.

Fish scales, sand, and organic material trapped in nets can accelerate decay if not removed. Knots may loosen or untie themselves through repeated stress and movement in water. The lead weights along the bottom and cork floats along the top can become damaged, shifting, or lost, affecting how the net performs in water. Net panels may separate at seams, creating weak points where the entire net could fail during use.

Temperature changes and improper storage contribute significantly to net damage. Nets stored in extreme heat or cold can become stiff and brittle. Nets left bunched up wet develop mold and rot. Freezing temperatures can cause the material to crack and lose flexibility. Rust may develop on metal components like weights and rings if they remain damp.

Learning to identify damage early prevents small problems from becoming catastrophic failures. A small hole repaired immediately takes minutes, while allowing that hole to expand into a large tear may require replacing entire sections of netting. Regular inspection of nets before and after each use provides the best opportunity to catch problems while repairs remain quick and straightforward.

Practical takeaway: Inspect your nets regularly for holes, tears, loose knots, and damaged weights. Keep a repair log noting when and where damage occurs, which can help you identify problem areas that need reinforcement.

Basic Tools and Materials You'll Need for Net Repair

Repairing fishing nets requires minimal tools and materials, many of which you may already have at home. A well-stocked repair kit costs between $15 and $40 to assemble initially, then requires only occasional restocking of consumable materials. Having these items organized and accessible means you can address damage quickly when it happens.

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The most essential tool for net repair is a needle designed for net work. Traditional net needles are large, with a wide eye to accommodate heavy fishing line or twine. Modern netting needles come in various sizes, typically ranging from size 0 to size 4, with larger sizes for thicker netting materials. A needle that is too small makes threading difficult and slows your work, while a needle that is too large can damage the mesh. Many anglers keep needles in multiple sizes to match different net types.

You will need appropriate twine or line for repairs. Nylon monofilament in the same thickness as your net's original material works well for most repairs. Braided fishing line, cotton twine, and specialized netting cord all have applications depending on your net type. The material should be strong enough to withstand the tension and movement the net experiences but not so thick that it damages the existing mesh. Many repair guides recommend keeping several weights of line on hand to match different nets.

A sharp knife or cutting tool helps trim damaged sections and cut twine cleanly. Kitchen scissors or fishing scissors work adequately, though specialized net-cutting tools offer more precision. You may want a small pair of pliers or a net shuttle, which holds and dispenses twine while you work, speeding up repairs considerably. A measuring tape helps you verify that repaired sections match the original net dimensions.

Additional helpful items include cork or foam tape for reinforcing damaged areas before full repairs, waterproof tape for temporary fixes that hold until permanent repair, and a small mesh patch made from similar material to your net for covering large holes. Some anglers keep a net-making frame or board to hold their net steady while working. A journal or notebook dedicated to recording repairs helps you track problem areas and develop improvement strategies over time.

Practical takeaway: Start your repair kit with quality net needles in 2-3 sizes, nylon monofilament in the same thickness as your nets, sharp scissors, and measuring tape. Add specialized tools only after you have tried basic repairs and understand which tools would improve your workflow.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Repairing Small Holes and Tears

Small holes and tears represent the most common net damage and are also the easiest repairs to perform. These repairs often take less than 30 minutes and can extend a net's life by months or years. The basic technique involves using a needle and thread to tie knots that draw the damaged area closed or to attach new mesh over the hole.

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For a simple hole smaller than one inch, the most straightforward repair involves threading your needle with approximately three feet of twine. Tie a knot at one end of the twine. Start your repair by pushing the needle through the net material near the edge of the hole, leaving the knot outside the net. Work in a circular pattern around the hole, pulling the twine snug but not so tight that you distort the surrounding mesh. Each stitch should pass through the existing mesh and loop around the hole's perimeter. Continue until the hole is completely surrounded and the edges come together. Tie off your knot on the outside of the net and trim the excess twine.

For tears along a seam or edge, follow the existing seam line rather than creating a new path. Position your needle to follow the original stitching pattern, as this maintains the net's structural integrity. This type of repair essentially re-stitches a seam that has come loose. Work slowly and carefully, ensuring each stitch sits exactly where the original stitching went. Tears along seams often require longer repair thread, sometimes six to eight feet, because you must stitch the entire length of the separation.

When holes are larger than one inch but smaller than three inches, consider using a mesh patch rather than closing the hole entirely. A patch can be fashioned from matching netting material or purchased as a pre-made net patch. Lay the patch over the hole with adequate overlap—typically one inch on all sides—and stitch around the perimeter of the patch. This distributes stress across a larger area rather than concentrating it on the hole's edges, creating a stronger repair. Apply patches to both sides of the hole for maximum durability in areas that experience high stress.

The tension you apply during stitching matters significantly. Too loose, and the repair fails immediately. Too tight, and you distort the surrounding mesh, potentially causing new damage. The repaired area should have the same tension as the surrounding net. You can test this by gently pulling on the repaired section—it should give slightly but not excessively.

Practical takeaway: Practice your first repair on an old net you do not currently use. This builds your confidence and lets you develop feel for appropriate tension before repairing nets you depend on for fishing.

Addressing Damaged Weights, Floats, and Hardware

Fishing nets rely on weighted lines at the bottom and floating lines at the top to function properly in water. When these components fail or become damaged, the net's behavior changes dramatically, making it difficult or impossible to use effectively. Repairs to weights and floats are often simpler than mesh repairs but equally important for net function.

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Lead weights or sinkers attached along the net's bottom line gradually wear through the cord or net material they are tied to. Over time, the material weakens and eventually snaps, allowing weights to slip free and fall away. Signs of failing weights include gaps where weights are missing, weights that slide along the line rather than staying in place, and unevenness in how the net sinks. To repair this problem, remove the damaged section of line and weights entirely. Replace it with new line of the same diameter and type, then re-attach weights at their original spacing using secure knots. The standard attachment method involves threading the line through the weight's opening and tying multiple square knots to prevent slipping.

Cork or foam floats attached to the top line deteriorate through water absorption, compression, and UV damage. Old cork becomes waterlogged and loses buoyancy, causing the net's top to sink lower than desired. Foam floats crack, compress, or disintegrate over years of use. When floats fail, replace them rather than repair them. Remove the damaged float by cutting the cord attachment and