The dragnet (sagēnē), a large, square fishing net with floats along the top to keep it upright in the water, was towed between two boats or fastened to the shore at one end while the other end was drawn out by a boat. Unlike the casting net mentioned in Matthew 4:18, the dragnet was too large to be emptied into the boat, so it was hauled to shore to sort and gather the catch.
The dragnet (sagēnē) was a large, square fishing net fitted with floats along the top edge to keep it upright in the water. It was either towed between two boats or fastened to the shore at one end while the other end was drawn out by a boat. Unlike the smaller casting net (mentioned in Matthew 4:18), this dragnet was far too large to be emptied into the boat. Instead, it was hauled to shore, where the catch was sorted and gathered.1
47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.