Question regarding dungeness crab bag limit for my daughter

I'm thinking about taking my daughter with me to catch some dungeness crabs on my tandem.  She is 11 years old, and she is strong enough to bring a trap up by herself, but I would not let her handle crabs by herself yet for a safety reason.  Since she cannot complete the entire task of catching a crab, which includes removal of the catch from the trap and measuring it, would it be legal to keep the catch under her bag limit?  Hate to do anything illegal and would appreciate your insight.

Davefish

This is a place where the letter of the law and practice diverge. It is extremely common for crabbers to make a group effort to catch crab. One guy drives the boat, one guy works ye transom, one guy empties the trap and re airs while one of the other guys sorts, and on to the next trap to do it all over again.

The regs can't be fairly read to allow it, but no one that I know of has ever got a ticket for it.

This is a place where the letter of the law and practice diverge. It is extremely common for crabbers to make a group effort to catch crab. One guy drives the boat, one guy works ye transom, one guy empties the trap and re airs while one of the other guys sorts, and on to the next trap to do it all over again.

The regs can't be fairly read to allow it, but no one that I know of has ever got a ticket for it.

I may be mistaken, but it was my understanding that in cases like boats, it falls under the party boat limit.

So, in this specific context, since the child is on the kayak the kayak now has a combined limit of 20? Don't take my word for it, just asking questions and hoping for clarification.

This is a place where the letter of the law and practice diverge. It is extremely common for crabbers to make a group effort to catch crab. One guy drives the boat, one guy works ye transom, one guy empties the trap and re airs while one of the other guys sorts, and on to the next trap to do it all over again.

The regs can't be fairly read to allow it, but no one that I know of has ever got a ticket for it.

I may be mistaken, but it was my understanding that in cases like boats, it falls under the party boat limit.

So, in this specific context, since the child is on the kayak the kayak now has a combined limit of 20? Don't take my word for it, just asking questions and hoping for clarification.

Boat limits only apply to fin fish. 27.60(c).

This is a place where the letter of the law and practice diverge. It is extremely common for crabbers to make a group effort to catch crab. One guy drives the boat, one guy works ye transom, one guy empties the trap and re airs while one of the other guys sorts, and on to the next trap to do it all over again.

The regs can't be fairly read to allow it, but no one that I know of has ever got a ticket for it.

I may be mistaken, but it was my understanding that in cases like boats, it falls under the party boat limit.

So, in this specific context, since the child is on the kayak the kayak now has a combined limit of 20? Don't take my word for it, just asking questions and hoping for clarification.

Boat limits only apply to fin fish. 27.60(c).

Yup fin fish only. Howard's post about this is literally a page away in this sub forum. Searching is your friend.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=61472.0

I posted online asking the DFG the same basic question. I haven't recieved a reply. I would hope that as long as the person receiving the help is participating, it would be ok. How much help can you give a small child when fishing? If they are back at camp you are not likely to get away with an extra limit.

I may be mistaken,  but can't the adult with someone who is young enough to not need a license, help with acquiring a limit?

I may be mistaken,  but can't the adult with someone who is young enough to not need a license, help with acquiring a limit?

I would think so. I guess the question is when help becomes doing it for them.

I may be mistaken,  but can't the adult with someone who is young enough to not need a license, help with acquiring a limit?

I would think so. I guess the question is when help becomes doing it for them.

Same as letting her reel up a fish,  but removing the hook, measuring and throwing it on a stringer I guess.

I may be mistaken,  but can't the adult with someone who is young enough to not need a license, help with acquiring a limit?

You can get busted for helping. Just like "helping" a little one dig for clams. 

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=55568.msg627725#msg627725

I'm thinking about taking my daughter with me to catch some dungeness crabs on my tandem.  She is 11 years old, and she is strong enough to bring a trap up by herself, but I would not let her handle crabs by herself yet for a safety reason.  Since she cannot complete the entire task of catching a crab, which includes removal of the catch from the trap and measuring it, would it be legal to keep the catch under her bag limit?  Hate to do anything illegal and would appreciate your insight.

Davefish

As long as she contributes to catching the crab, she can take a full limit of 10 crabs; this includes the task of keeping track of the count, baiting the jars or washing the bouys.

She can be the designated counter for the boat and does not ever have to touch a trap. Just have her keep count of how many crabs are removed from the traps and put into the live well....

We have done this many times from my boat, with no problem from DFG when we were inspected at the launch ramp...

Thank you all for your replies.  I would hate to leave it up to a warden to make a decision or even worse the warden decides to pass it on to a judge.  I guess the regulation is not crystal clear about this situation (also what's being practiced in real life), but your responses and experiences help me what is really at stake here.  Thank you all for your inputs!

Davefish

Been crabbing out of HMB since 2005, even with my grandaughter when she was just 6-7, never had a problem; they even thought she was "cute" because she always showed them the "clicker-counter" with the number of crabs on it.....

Thanks G-Whiz.  That's just the information I was looking for, even right down to the location - HMB is the place I will be crabbing out of.

I'm thinking about taking my daughter with me to catch some dungeness crabs on my tandem.  She is 11 years old, and she is strong enough to bring a trap up by herself, but I would not let her handle crabs by herself yet for a safety reason.  Since she cannot complete the entire task of catching a crab, which includes removal of the catch from the trap and measuring it, would it be legal to keep the catch under her bag limit?  Hate to do anything illegal and would appreciate your insight.

Davefish

As long as she contributes to catching the crab, she can take a full limit of 10 crabs; this includes the task of keeping track of the count, baiting the jars or washing the bouys.

She can be the designated counter for the boat and does not ever have to touch a trap. Just have her keep count of how many crabs are removed from the traps and put into the live well....

We have done this many times from my boat, with no problem from DFG when we were inspected at the launch ramp...

+1 Even on party boats, no passenger will use the puller. All persons taking crab must contribute in some way to the taking of crab.