Cast Netting Bunker

[tatsu]

I have been cast netting bait from shore/piers for three years now and can throw a net decently well enough to catch bait roaming around that area.

For my first trip on my new boat (launching went OK with only a few hiccups) I figured it would be easy with three simple steps:  Find the schools of bunker, throw the cast net, go fishing.

I found schools of bunker boiling in the sea easy enough in 5-10' of water.  Step one, check.  On to step two.  I have the cast net all loaded to throw, my brother is at the wheel slowly creeping up on the bait, I'm waiting to get closer to that ball of bait....waiting....waiting....wait...they're running from the boat!  I throw it for the heck of it to perhaps get some bait outside of the school; empty.  We try about half a dozen more times with different techniques like creeping down current from the bait, running faster up to them, sitting still and wait for them to come to us.  Nothing, they would always avoid us.

Please let me know what I'm doing wrong.  What's the secret? 

Thanks in advance, guys!

[BigAl13]

circle them when they turn to get away your already there with the net on them not easy to  get on the first shot, best bet is watch someone else and figure how he did it.

[Luna Sea 5]

yes.. when you in shallow water, you have to circle the boat a few times and round them up.  The boat is spooking them.  The only other thing you can do is throw a quicker net.  Meaning, heavier.  I threw my net once in the ocean from the boat in some current and the bunker where actually staring at me watching me throw the net.  I though I couldn't miss.  But I did.  The net, in that current sunk at such a slow level, the bunker where laughing at me.  They make certain nets for certain conditions.  Which is why you will succeed sometimes, and not the other times.

[blynch]

Patience can be a virtue in situations like this.  Another strategy that might work is to cut the engine ahead of the school and let it come right to you.