How to Repair Nylon Cast Nets

Torn Mesh

• 1

  Tie small tears (where only five or fewer meshes are torn) by pulling them together by hand, and tying nylon thread around the mesh sections. This is much like stitching a cut in fabric, where several knotted threads close the tear.

• 2

  Cut away a perfect square around the perimeter of large tears or tears where the mesh has been severely damages and cannot be re-joined in an orderly fashion.

• 3

  Place a piece of scrap nylon net over the freshly cut square to serve as a cohesive patch.

• 4

  Tie nylon threads around each mesh section on the edge of the patch. Snip the loose ends of the knots with scissors.

Loose Leadline

• 5

  Cut away damaged leadline with scissors. This repair is less common than tears, but since the leadline is dragged along the bottom, replacing it will be inevitable.

• 6

  Tie clove hitch knots, one on each mesh, where the main mesh connects to the hangline. The hangline, sometimes called the braille line, is the thick, weighted thread that facilitates casting the net. To tie this knot, loop the thread around the mesh and the hangline. Cross the thread over the remaining length of repair thread. Pass the thread around the mesh and hangline again and slip the leading end of the thread beneath the crossing point of both loops. Pull both ends of the thread to cinch the knot.

• 7

  Cut away the loose ends of each knot. The lead line is now re-tightened to the hangline. This ensures the mesh doesn't separate from the weighted section of the net, allowing critters to escape.

Broken Braille Line

• 8

  Cut a piece of nylon thread to the length of braille section that needs replaced. Thread each end through the leadline sleeves nearest the ends of the braille line.

• 9

  Crimp the ends of the braille line to the leadline sleeves with pliers. If the sleeves are smashed closed, use the pliers first, to re-open the sleeve.

• 10

  Tie a new length of thread at the beginning of the braille line, in a square knot. Wrap the thread around the braille line and mesh in a barber pole-like fashion, until the opposite end of the braille line is reached. Tie another square knot to secure this whipping line, ensuring the braille line is held closely to the lead and hang lines.