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Listen: The World ProgramMax Dooley weaving a cast net - Lakeland, Florida.
Image Number
Photographer
Date
Rights
Collection
Series 1640, Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program, Max Dooley, Reginald Reis Castnet making, 1992-1993 ; Box 16, FF6
Geographic Term
Subject Term
Occupational groups--Florida--Polk County--Lakeland
Occupations, Maritime--Florida--Polk County--Lakeland
Maritime occupational equipment
Net makers
Net making
Textiles
Woven goods
Domestic arts
Craft
Hand weaving
Handicraft
Fishing nets
Artisans--Florida--Polk County--Lakeland
Material culture--Florida--Polk County--Lakeland
Mentoring in the arts
Nets
Personal Subjects
Physical Description
General Note
The design of the castnet has remained relatively unchanged since its introduction to Florida by Spaniards centuries ago. When thrown properly, the net spreads to a full circle, trapping fish within its perimeter as it settles to the bottom. As it is pulled in, the net forms a bag that holds the fish.
Dooley mentored Reginald Reis.
Max Dooley of Lakeland has been making castnets since the 1930's. He hand ties every piece of the net using "widener" knots to create nets with an excess of mesh for a given diameter. One of his 10-foot diameter nets contains over 26,000 knots and takes him about 60 hours to complete. He feels that his nets spread better and catch more fish than those pieced from machine-made mesh. He uses the nets to catch mullet for his family.
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