Game Bags legal? and local source ?

While I'm saving up enough $ and WAF for a nice net, I want to be legal as well as have something that I'll be able to use later on. A cheapie net won't be of much use to me down the road. So I'm thinking game bag. I've read enough here to make me believe that if they are 18" wide, then they meet the net requirements ?

Also, can anyone recommend a local source? Aquan maybe? Or other dive shops between Cupertino and San Carlos?

Regards,
Scott

A couple I know of:

Any Water Sports Dive Center
1344 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose, CA 95129
(408) 244-4433
(800) 408-3483 (toll-free)
Website  http://www.anywater.com

and

Stan's Skin & Scuba Diving
554 South Bascom Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128
(408) 998-0767
Website  http://stansdiving.com

I went the same route, however since I couldn't find a game bag with a rigid opening over 18" in diameter..... I decided to make my own using a mesh laundry bag and some flexible copper tubing for the rim.  It's not fancy, but I have peace of mind knowing I'm legal and I have usable landing net/ game bag if needed.

"18" wide" doesn't always mean the same thing a "an opening of at least 18" in diameter" (the reg), so buy a bigger bag than one that is 18" wide in a straight line when the bag is laid out flat on its side, because that would only get you something less than 12" diameter opening. 

I was going to tell you where you could get one, but I decided to measure mine to be sure. Dammit if it wasn't 16"!!! DOHHH!!
I thought for sure it was 18".
Looks like I will be doing a little cutting and adding some tubing to get it to 18". Like I don't alreay have enough projects going.

The biggest one I could find was slightly oval, and measured 17"x19".   I bought a net. I    

It will eventually see freshwater use, and keep me legal until I can come up with a stowmaster.

Scott

A big net is 1000x better than a barely legal net or a gamebag.  Even a gaff doesn't compare unless you've got a 50lb fish.  Get a real net and don't worry about it.

I agree with Pspark....a net is always good to have...you'll apreciate it even more when your trying to land a once-in-a-lifetime-fish

Scott - I'm almost sure Fisherman's Warehouse sells the game bags....I think they keep 'em right by the bathroom - right next to the anchors,throw nets and gaffs.

a big net catches a lot of wind, i bring a small legal net for show, and a big gaff for business.

When Fish and Game came by and checked us for licenses at Black Point on Saturday they didn't mention anything about nets. (Mine was in my front hatch, not visible).

I guess it all depends on the warden.

Scott - check this out:

http://www.kayakfishinggear.com/catalog/promar_trophy_series_collapsible_landing_net_4176074.htm

I just bought a Hibernet #58 which is nice, but heavy (2.75 lbs.).  It opens quickly but takes both hands.  It can be seen at: 

 http://jebran.com/

My net has a very coarse mesh, like 4".  I don't think the wind resistance is much worse than a smaller/finer meshed net. 

When I go to buy a new net, I'm going to bring one of those pieces of cardboard 18" diameter like they put under a really big pizza. If it fits in the opening with the net and cardboard held horizontally, it's legal.  Nothing says it has to have a rim or  a handle. But it has to be available to land a fish.  But just cause it's legal doesn't mean it will work when you want it to.  After my last trip, I'm going to get one with a built in motor that can be remotely controlled to meet me a mile outside the Moss Jaws!