Net Required for Kayak Fishing

January 3, 2013

Question: I do a lot of fishing and diving off my kayak. Someone recently told me that I need to carry a net for landing my fish. I have looked through the regs but I cannot find that provision. Can you help me? (Matt Sullivan)

Answer: Yes, that’s correct. If you are fishing from any boat or other floating device in ocean waters, you must carry a landing net with an opening that is not less than 18 inches in diameter. (CCR Title 14, section 28.65(d)).

Someone recently told me that I need to carry a net for landing my fish.

I wonder if it was someone at NCKA that told him that.  We're good at info.   

I wonder how many people reading this are saying to themselves,
 Damn, I should have jump on the net group buy last week.

Someone recently told me that I need to carry a net for landing my fish.

I wonder if it was someone at NCKA that told him that.  We're good at info.   

It was probably you, Eric. 

I wonder if you are kayak fishing with/next to a buddy, can you have one net between the two of you? That response would indicate no, but a couple times I have seen DFG check kayakers where someone in the cluster did not have a net. No citations were given

I rarely carry a net.

Come cite me.

I rarely carry a net.

Come cite me.

Rebel!   

I've never actually been asked about carrying it when checked by the DFG.  But I always do carry it!  Not that I use it for landing small undersized fish anyway!  Generally try and unhook them while still in the water.

I rarely carry a net.

Come cite me.

Rebel!   

But of course I carry them for all tournaments.

You know - just to be within the regs. 

But of course I carry them for all tournaments.

You know - just to be within the regs. 

Beeg bruzzah is votching...   

For a long time I carried a net made of a loop of coated steel cable with the netting from a cheap 20" net, so it could be easily coiled up and stowed while still being legal, (forgot who I got the idea from here).  I need to make another because I hate a full size net on my kayak.

For a long time I carried a net made of a loop of coated steel cable with the netting from a cheap 20" net, so it could be easily coiled up and stowed while still being legal, (forgot who I got the idea from here).  I need to make another because I hate a full size net on my kayak.

Tote has this net as well...
sometimes I carry a gaff instead.  Unless salmon fishing, this also meets the letter of the law

Not to be anal, but I thought it was required if you're targeting species with a minimum size limit?

Nope Hai, just plain required per DFG Regs when you're in ocean.  In freshwater, net is not required.

not sure where I heard it first but it was one of the first things guys told me....recently i think i heard only "someone" in a group of kayaks has to have one ...I still carry one just to avoid hassles...