Effect of setting method on gill net catches

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's finfish monitoring program involves setting gill nets with the smallest mesh (7.6 cm or 3 inches) always nearest shore. This study compares the number of fishes caught in each of four mesh sizes when nets were set with the smallest mesh near shore versus when the nets were set with the largest mesh near shore. Two nets were fished overnight about 3.2 km (2 mile) apart in each of seven bays in January 1976 (Sciaenops ocellatus) in each mesh were similar regardless of setting method. Red drum catches were higher in the two largest meshes, lower in the smallest mesh, and similar in the 10.2-cm (4-inch) mesh when nets were reversed. Reversing the set position of meshes gill nets is not necessary. Changes in relative abundance of all species should be detectable with the current methods.