Is It Legal to Keep Legal-Sized Fish Caught in Hoopnets?

December 24, 2009

Question: If I catch fish in a hoop net while lobster fishing, are they legal to keep provided they meet any size requirements? I have been throwing them back because I’m not sure it is legal to catch them that way. Someone told me they must be caught on fishing line only. What about sea snails and octopus that are caught in my hoops? Can other line-caught sportfish, such as tuna, be used as bait in lobster hoops? Please advise. Thanks. (Steve G.)

Answer: You were correct to return fish caught in your hoop nets because hoop nets are not a legal method of take. Finfish may only be caught by hook-and-line except in very specific circumstances listed under “Finfish – Gear Restrictions” (pgs. 51-52) in the Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (CCR Title 14, section 28.65).

Taking sea snails and octopus caught incidentally in your lobster hoop net is not allowed (section 29.10(a), on pg. 52 of the booklet).

Any finfish that is legal to take or possess in California may be used as bait in your lobster hoop net.

Any finfish that is legal to take or possess in California may be used as bait in your lobster hoop net.

?

Any finfish that is legal to take or possess in California may be used as bait in your lobster hoop net.

?

I agree with the ?

It should be any fiinfish that isn't illegal to possess in California.

what if your bait is tethered to the hoop via a short line & a hook?
I used to catch rockfish in my hoop net all the time when I was a kid.

Lots of pier anglers utilize a hoop net to hoist their fish up onto the pier. Wonder if that is technically notlegal, because they are using a hoopnet to assist in the taking of said fish...

Lots of pier anglers utilize a hoop net to hoist their fish up onto the pier. Wonder if that is technically notlegal, because they are using a hoopnet to assist in the taking of said fish...

It's fine. Just don't get caught up in the "integral part of take" BS that was invented by Carrie Wilson and doesn't appear anywhere in the regs or code.