Before spreading a net? (4)
I believe the answer is:
ante
'before' is the definition.
(I've seen this in other clues)
'spreading a net?' is the wordplay.
'spreading' indicates an anagram.
'a'+'net'='anet'
'anet' anagrammed gives 'ANTE'.
(Other definitions for ante that I've seen before include "Money for poker" , "Prefix meaning before" , "Initial bet" , "Fixed stake" , "Betting stake" .)