Fishing With a Beach Net

June 10, 2010

Question: If I am using a 20-foot beach net (the type generally used inland as bait nets) on an inland water (Mission Bay or San Diego Bay, in particular) to demonstrate to my kids the kind of nearshore sea life that is around, am I going to get zinged?

Here are the details: I would be using a 20-foot beach net, or a longer one if possible. It would be operated by hand with me (a license holder) on one end and my 7-year-old son on the other to crowd whatever sea life would be in the particular area. We are not targeting any species in particular. We would not actually take any sea life, but perhaps would handle them and observe them in a confined area. Would the regulations be any different for a non-inland area? (Tim D., San Diego)

Answer: I’m glad you asked first before taking that beach net out to show your kids what you’d catch. Here’s why …

California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 28.85 states that beach nets not over 20 feet in length with meshes at least 7/8 of an inch in length may be used to take surf smelt north of Point Conception.

That means you cannot use beach nets or throw nets anywhere south of Point Conception, and this includes San Diego waters. The area you describe is not considered inland waters, but even if it was, these nets are not legal in inland waters at all anywhere. Beach or throw nets can only be used under the authority of a Scientific Collecting Permit and these are issued only for bona fide research, education or collection for approved public display purposes.