Pushnet Plunder

The key to keeping pace with the changing moods of the fish, nine times out of ten, is having a variety of bait to try to tempt them with. This dictates that we master as many different forms of bait collection, in geographically differing backgrounds, as possible.

One such area that gets little attention from bait diggers is the low water surf line for 25yds out from the edge of dry sand. You can't dig here because you're in a foot of water, and when you walk through the shallow surf all you see is sand, yet the that sand is bursting with potential bait items. To get at them we use the pushnet technique!

WHAT'S A PUSHNET

The working pushnet

A pushnet is not a net like a commercial one that you pull, but one that has a handle attached to the main frame with the user pushing the net forwards as he walks.

It's an old method that is recorded in medieval times for the collection of shrimps for the domestic table, and for selling on to increase a families income.

HOW TO MAKE A PUSHNET
A cheap, but effective wooden one can be made quickly at home as follows by using off-cuts from your local builders suppliers or timber merchants.

The back rail is a 28in (711mm) length of 2 x 1, the two side rails need to be 20ins (508mm) each of 2 x 1, and a 40in (101cm) long standard piece of 3in (76mm) skirting board with the bevelled edge facing downwards to skid across the sand makes the front rail.

Slightly angle the rear end of each side rail where they fix to the rear frame spar. This brings the side rails out a slight angle to give the net that wide mouthed shape. The front ends of the side rails need to be recessed at their base so that the flat front rail fits flush with the bottom of the side rails lower edge. You can now nail the pieces together to form the frame.

Drill a hole through the middle of the rear frame spar large enough to take a standard broom handle. This is then pushed right through until it reaches the front rail. The brooms end can be secured into a simple square block of wood nailed onto the upper middle of the front frame piece.

The best netting to use is that from an old coarse anglers keep net. Secure it to the rear edge of the front frame by trapping it between a nailed down 1 x .5in wooden lat. Enclose the rest of the pushnet frame around the inside using flat headed ceiling or clout nails.The depth of the net should be at least 2ft (61cm) deep, better still 3ft (91cm) to stop fast swimming sandeels escaping. That's it!

Pushnet caught sandeels

Years ago, you used to see pushnets advertised in the angling press, but no longer. These were metal alloy versions which, though expensive, proved easier to work having less drag and less buoyancy.

TECHNIQUE
Walk out into the shallow surf tables about 5 yards until the water is about 18ins deep or so. Turn to face parallel with the beach and into the flood or ebbing tide. Put the front of the net down onto the sand and hold it at an angle of about 45 degrees. Now simply walk at an even pace pushing the net along and over the sand for maybe 15yds, then lift the net free of the water and check your catch.

Don't stop and leave the net submerged at any time for obviously the catch will just swim away. A walk of about 15yds is about right, otherwise you'll quickly tire working your legs against the water.

It really is that easy. You'll find that the best conditions are when the sea is slightly coloured after storms, but settled with short surf bands a few inches high. This low clarity keeps the disturbed species tighter to the seabed when they move which makes it more likely for them to be scooped up.

You'll need a small bucket tied to your waist with a few inches of water in to hold the catch safely until you are ready to sort out bait from rubbish. If you're principally after sandeels, add a battery operated aerator to the bucket to ensure their live survival.

WHAT YOU'LL CATCH
Chief amongst the net contents will be shrimps and the common prawn which make good baits for flatfish, school bass etc, and also make a delightful supper.

Sandeels are common, and not just juvenile ones but adults too, plus small flatfish like turbot, brill, flounder and plaice. Shellfish such as cockles, sand clams, even mussels after storms show up. If you deliberately go as soon as seas allow after a blow, then you'll also enjoy a bonus of queen cockles washed in from deep water, razorfish, and other assorted shellfish.

A real bonus is the surprising numbers of shore peeler crab that get turned up from the surface sand, especially in the spring. Hermits, if you're on the right beach will also be caught. A word of warning though! Do watch out for tiny weevers which are a common catch.