Can a Net Gun Catch Tuna? (What Net Guns Can Actually Do)

No, a net gun cannot catch tuna. These launchers are built to capture animals and objects at short range on land or in the air, not to haul in saltwater fish that live far below the surface. If you are picturing a net gun as a shortcut to landing a tuna, the tools and the target do not line up.

Can a Net Gun Actually Catch Tuna?

A net gun fires a weighted net a short distance, usually 20 to 30 feet, to trap a target on impact. Tuna live in open water, often far below the surface, and swim fast enough to outrun most nets long before a launcher could reach them.

Even a big tuna near the surface would tear through a net gun's mesh. These nets are sized and weighted for animals like coyotes, raccoons, or small drones, not fish that can weigh hundreds of pounds.

Commercial and sport tuna fishing rely on entirely different gear, including rods, reels, longlines, and large purse seine nets deployed from boats. A handheld net launcher was never designed to compete with that kind of equipment.

How a Net Gun Is Designed to Work

Understanding how a net gun works makes it clear why tuna are outside its scope.

Range and Net Size

Most net guns launch a net that spreads out to cover roughly 10 to 15 feet across. That spread works well for capturing an animal standing still or moving slowly on land. It is not enough coverage for a fish swimming freely underwater.

Trigger Mechanism

A net gun uses a CO2 cartridge to fire weighted projectiles that pull the net open in flight. This system is built for air and ground targets where the shooter has a clear, close-range shot. Water adds resistance and distortion that this mechanism was never built to handle.

Why Tuna Fishing Needs Different Gear

Tuna are fast, strong, and often found well offshore in deep water. Catching them takes specialized tackle built for that environment.

Rod and reel setups use heavy line and drag systems designed to tire out a fish that can pull hard for long stretches. Commercial boats use purse seine nets that can stretch hundreds of feet and close around entire schools of fish at once.

None of that overlaps with what a net gun does. A net gun is a short-range capture tool for a single target in the open air or on solid ground, while tuna fishing is a long-range, high-volume operation built around the ocean environment.

If your goal is landing tuna, standard fishing gear from a marine supply store is the right investment, not a net launcher.

What a Net Gun Is Actually Good For

Net guns earn their keep in situations where you need to safely capture an animal or object without lethal force.

On Land

Net guns are popular for animal control work, including catching loose dogs, feral cats, and small livestock. Farmers, animal control officers, and property owners use them to secure an animal quickly and humanely from a safe distance. Our guide on what animals you can catch with a net gun covers this in detail.

In the Air

Net guns have also become a go-to tool for bringing down small drones flying somewhere they should not be. The net tangles the propellers and brings the drone down without damaging property below. We cover this use case in our post on whether net guns work against drones.

For most buyers, our best-selling net gun covers both land and air use cases with extra nets and CO2 cartridges included.

Can a Net Gun Be Used Near Water at All?

A net gun can still be useful around water in limited situations, such as capturing a loose animal near a pond, dock, or shoreline. The net still needs to reach a target on land or at the surface within its normal range.

Once a target goes underwater or swims out past that range, the net gun is no longer effective. Always check your local laws before using any capture device near waterways, since rules can vary by location.

Common Questions About Net Guns and Fishing

Can you use a net gun to catch fish?
A net gun is not built for fish. It works best on animals or objects at close range in open air, not underwater targets.

What is the biggest animal a net gun can catch?
Net guns are typically rated for animals up to the size of a deer or large dog, depending on the model and net size. Anything larger or aquatic falls outside their intended use.

Do net guns work in or near water?
They can work on a target standing at the water's edge or on the surface within range, but water resistance and depth make them ineffective for anything swimming below.

What should I use instead of a net gun for fishing?
Standard fishing gear such as rods, reels, and nets designed for marine use will always outperform a net gun on the water.

Are net guns legal to use for animal capture?
Net guns are generally not classified as firearms, but regulations vary by state, so check your local laws before use.

Find the Right Net Gun for the Job

A net gun will not help you land a tuna, but it is one of the most effective tools available for safely capturing animals on land or stopping a drone in the air. Whether you need the Hero as a reliable standard package or want the added coverage of our mega pack, TheNetGunStore.com has the right setup for the job. Browse our full net gun lineup to find the model that fits your needs.