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How to Make Hoop Netting

Hoop netting is widely used to catch lobster. The netting is made in different sizes but the most commonly used is either 32 inches or 36 inches in diameter. Hoop nets are fashioned from basket type netting hung around a sturdy metal rim. Up to 100 feet of line are attached to them along with bait traps at their bottoms. Hoop nets are released into the water where they sink to the sandy bottom for lobsters to crawl into and be caught. You can purchase premade hoop netting or make your own with a few simple materials.

Things You'll Need

Stainless steel pipe 1/8-inch thick, 36 inches long and 14 inches long
Polyethylene netting
Metal pliers
Blow torch
Safety head shield and gloves
Heavy gauge fishing line
Drill
44 small hooks

Instructions

- 1
  Use a blow torch to heat a 36-inch long piece of 1/8-inch thick stainless steel pipe, in 6-inch segments at a time, until you are able to bend each segment with a pair of metal pliers. Wear a safety head shield and gloves when using the blow torch.
- 2
  Bend the 36-inch stainless steel pipe into a circle, 6 inches at a time. Bend the last 4 inches of the last section up, over and around the beginning end of the pipe to secure the the two ends together. Leave a 2-inch long piece sticking out perpendicular from the hoop so you can attach line to it to pull the hoop up once you have caught lobster.
- 3
  Bend the 14-inch stainless steel pipe in the same fashion as the 36-inch piece until it resembles a 12-inch hoop. Bend the end of the pipe around the beginning to create a perpendicular tail jutting out from the 12-inch hoop, to which you will also connect the line.
- 4
  Drill small holes 1/16-inch or halfway through the underside of each hoop that are spaced 1 inch apart around the entirety of each hoop. Thread 44 small hooks into the holes on each hoop.
- 5
  Form a cone from polyethylene netting, tying off the bottom. Attach the netting by tying the ends to the hooks on the 32-inch hoop and securing the netting around the hooks on the 12-inch hoop. While attaching the netting, orient the hoops to each other so that the perpendicular tail on each hoop faces in opposite directions so that the top hoop's tail is on the right and the smaller hoop's tail is on the left.
- 6
  Drill a hole through each perpendicular tail on the hoops. Thread heavy gauge fishing line through the hole in the bottom hoop's tail and run it up about 12 inches beyond the top hoop. Tie a knot at the end of the line running through the hole in the tail to secure it there. Cut the line. Run another length of line through the tail on the top hoop. Measure the length of line you want, up to 100 feet depending on the depth of the water in which you most commonly hunt for lobster. Tie a knot in the end of the line running through the tail on the top loop to secure it. Tie the line running up from the bottom hoop tail to the main line coming out of the tail on the top hoop, about 6 inches above the edge of the top hoop.
- 7
  Drill two additional holes into the inside of the bottom hoop. Thread small hooks into these holes which can be used to attach a small bait cage to when fishing for lobster.

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