The new issue Jan-Feb 2023 of PBoss magazine editor Lusk mentions use of gill nets and a few other methods in his article EVALUATING YOUR FISHERY pg 38-39. There is also a net called a flag net that is a version of a gill net.. Flag nets are the least expensive of the gill nets, but when used in still water and little or no wind, they are still quite effective in catching fish. Flag nets aka shirt tail nets are constructed out of multifilament or monofilament gill netting with a small rope at the top. There are no floats, leads or bottom rope. The net is fished by tying it between trees, stakes, or jugs. As the fish approaches the net, the water displaced by the fish's movement causes the netting to swirl, catching the fish through gilling or tangling. Flag nets are not recommended in moving water or in windy conditions. Several net companies make and sell gill and flag nets.
If you are going to use the cotton seed meal cakes as bait I would first chum with small portions of cotton seed meal bait in the area where you want to fish daily for a few days prior to using hooks in the bait. Baiting the area get the carp attracted and actively feeding on the bait. Let us know how well the cotton seed meal bait works.
