Carrying a net

I have noticed that some of the locals do not carry a net with them. Maybe some are just not visible but I have looked closely at a couple set ups and noticed that there wasn't a net present. I just thought I would remind everyone that Ca. DFG  Ocean Sport Fishing Res, section 28.65(d) states that No person shall take finfish from any boat or other floating device in ocean waters without having a net with an opening of not less than 18 inches in diameter.
Hate to see someone get a citation.

Do hair nets count?

Anyone know of a good collapsible one?

Post on perfect kayak net lots of ideas. Mooch bought a mesh divers bag at the fred hall show maybe he can post a picture. http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/index.php?topic=2091.0

I carry a net everytime I go out. You'll never know when you hook on to a fish of a life time! Having a net handy just makes landing a fish easier to manage. I did buy the divers mesh bag and attached a float to it and it works BUT you don't have the same reach as the regular net.

As far as laws are concerened, there were times that I had gone out without a net (cause I forgot to bring it) and never had to hear it from DFG. I think it's one of those rules that many of them don't even know about 

Does anyone know if the net needs to be 18" in diameter ALL THE WAY AROUND?  After breaking my last net, I picked up a cheapo one earlier this year.  It turns out it is 17" wide and 19" from front to back.  What do you think?  Legal?  I suppose I could just bend the cheap aluminum to make it 18 inches all the way around.

-Allen

and remember, do not bring a gaff in fresh water, that is illegal.

I have a collapsable net, hate it. It allways collapses the wrong way while I paddle.
No lock on it eatiher....

Not that I have caught a fish big enough to use it except at Stillwater.....

I go the diver's game bag route. I picked up a huge one (I believe it's the "lobster model") at Adventure Sports a couple of years ago. Haven't lost a fish  with it yet. The game bags are a little tricky because you don't have the reach like Joel said, but once you get the fish's head in the sack the bag is so deep there's little chance of escape. Most fish just sort of float into it if they are properly exhausted. I've used mine on halibut (toughest to net) and big Lings and vermilions (easy). The bag is easy to stow, mine fits right in my crate (I know, crates are sooo last season, whatever ) and with an opening of 18" it keeps me legal.
Sean

We have ordered some new collapsibles to try.  The net disappears completely and it can even be turned into an emergency paddle...does it get any cooler.  They look great, but ya never know til you try and ruin one.  I'll keep you guys posted.

One more reason to love the CA F&G regs!  Stupid me, I always thought a landing net had to have a handle, but I looked thru title 14 (not just the parts they put in the little book) and there's no definition of a "landing net", even tho there are some for other kinds of nets - in fact, maybe what I've been landing fish in is really a "dip Net".  And those "in diameter" words!  Sounds like they were thinking of a circle, but they never say the net has to be circular.  So my best guess is that if you can't fit an 18" diameter cylinder thru the opening of the net, it's not wide enough.  I do know that my barely 18" wide net (kind of triangular, tho) wasn't big enuf for a 14 lb halibut, so I bought one 27" wide and was glad I did when I got a 31in salmon the next week.  Now I've got to go measure my mesh laundry sack to use as ticket insurance.  No laundry, no ticket!

I always used my ab diving goodie bag until I measured it. 16".
I found a larger diameter goodie bag at Sportsman's Expo for only $10. It is yellow with a plastic handle and a crappy clasp, but it will work great for a net. I have seen these at Fisherman's Warehouse for about $12.

The saltwater fishing regs say, " No person shall take a finfish from any boat or other floating divice in ocean waters without having a landing net in possession or available for immediate use to assist in landing undersize fish of species having minimum size limiets: the opening of any such landing net shall be not less than eighteen inches in diameter." On page 34 and 35 of the Ocean regs. for 2005. It will be in the 2006 regs also.

Quit simply it means, you don't have a net 18 inches in diameter and also have it available to use, then you could get a ticket!

It says "or" available for immediate use, seems pretty vague.  If it wasn't such a hassle one could argue that their buddy's net was available.   

I bought a Promar last year; 30" net with telescoping handle that collapses down to fit inside hatches. About $45.00. You could fit Mooch in it if he fell overboard!
http://www.charkbait.com/cs/csrPromarNETS_gaffs.htm