Ocean Finfish Landing Net Size Requirement

March 16, 2017

Question: I understand that the following regulation applies to ocean-going kayaks. It says, “No person shall take finfish from any boat or other floating device in ocean waters without having a landing net in possession or available for immediate use to assist in landing undersize fish of species having minimum size limits; the opening of any such landing net shall be not less than eighteen inches in diameter” (CCR Title 14, section 28.65(d)).

My question has to do with how the diameter is measured on a net that isn’t round. Many nets that are aimed at small craft use are not round and meet the opening size in one direction, for example, 18 inches x 14 inches. Is that legally sufficient or must the minimum diameter at any point be no less than 18 inches? That would push the net size up considerably, and given the limited utility of a net (or a gaff for that matter) from a near-water craft like a kayak or float tube, I’d prefer to carry as little as possible. (Ariel C.)

Answer: The net need not feature a circular opening despite its reference to “diameter,” but the net must be a minimum of 18 inches at its narrowest part. Good luck and tight lines!

Nice work Ariel!

The answer seems wrong to me.  "But the net must be a minimum of 18 inches at its narrowest part."  There's a lot of nets that are in regular use that don't comply with that rule but are otherwise perfectly in keeping with the spirit of the reg.  It would suck to get a ticky tacky ticket for that.

This is the next question that needs to be submitted to these "experts":

"DO YOU EVEN FISH?!"

PS:  Everyone just needs to get a big net - screw the 18"!

Just get one of these

I don't like having to carry a net, always seem to get hooked on it and try to go as light as possible. Do bring a big one when fishing for salmon and may have to release undersized or wrong type of salmon.

Unless salmon fishing, a net on a kayak only serves as something to snag and catch wind. Has anyone come up with a way to meet the requirement that can be stowed inside an 8" hatch (I'm willing to my chances on "available for immediate use")?

Unless salmon fishing, a net on a kayak only serves as something to snag and catch wind. Has anyone come up with a way to meet the requirement that can be stowed inside an 8" hatch (I'm willing to my chances on "available for immediate use")?

This is what I started carrying last year.  It's expensive but it is actually great for c&r bass fishing inland.  It usually stays stowed, although I have tried it out in the ocean and it works the same there.  But I agree, we don't need nets by and large they just get in the way.  Except for salmon fishing.

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/19159/WindPaddle-Release-Right-Floating-Fish-Net.html

If the net bothers me, I usually just lay it down in the storage area.  However, I most of the time, I put it back right away into the rod holder, cuz I worry that I may not be able to reach it if I catch a fish

If you have an extra bungee cord, you can loosely bungee the bottom of the net to the handle.  A fish weight will take care of righting the net into the right position.

Unless salmon fishing, a net on a kayak only serves as something to snag and catch wind. Has anyone come up with a way to meet the requirement that can be stowed inside an 8" hatch (I'm willing to my chances on "available for immediate use")?

This is what I started carrying last year.  It's expensive but it is actually great for c&r bass fishing inland.  It usually stays stowed, although I have tried it out in the ocean and it works the same there.  But I agree, we don't need nets by and large they just get in the way.  Except for salmon fishing.

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/19159/WindPaddle-Release-Right-Floating-Fish-Net.html

That looks great, but kinda pricey...

That looks great, but kinda pricey...
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I keep a mesh, drawstring laundry bag in my center hatch as my "back up net." The opening is about 24" in diameter.  It meets the letter of the law.  Its main purpose is to keep me in compliance in case I lose my net in the water or I forget to bring one with me.

I believe I picked it up at either Walmart or Target for under $5.

I keep a mesh, drawstring laundry bag in my center hatch as my "back up net." The opening is about 24" in diameter.  It meets the letter of the law.  Its main purpose is to keep me in compliance in case I lose my net in the water or I forget to bring one with me.

I believe I picked it up at either Walmart or Target for under $5.

I was thinking of something like that, but adding a springy wire so that it'll actually hold a shape when open, and it'll still fold up small enough to get in the hatch (kind of like some car sunscreens I've seen, if that makes any sense...).

I was thinking of something like that, but adding a springy wire so that it'll actually hold a shape when open, and it'll still fold up small enough to get in the hatch (kind of like some car sunscreens I've seen, if that makes any sense...).

Someone posted a link once to a net exactly like you described, but it was way overpriced.  I thought about a putting in a stainless wire ring as well... but ultimately decided that I'd likely never use the net anyway and it's better to KISS, so why bother 

This topic has come up before. I think the feeling was that as long as you had a nearby kayak fishing partner with a net you were OK.
 It says, "in possession or available for immediate use to assist in landing undersize fish of species having minimum size limits; That OR would qualify for a shared net among a cluster of kayak fishermen. I've been out many times when not every kayaker in the group  has had an 18" net. I have never heard of a kayak fisherman in California being sited for not having a net.

The part about," in landing undersize fish of species having minimum size limits. So if you only have some of the many rockfish species etc, with no size limit onboard then would you also be in the clear? Same principle as fishing with two rods for Halibut when it's obvious rockfish are also down there,

This topic has come up before. I think the feeling was that as long as you had a nearby kayak fishing partner with a net you were OK.
 It says, "in possession or available for immediate use to assist in landing undersize fish of species having minimum size limits; That OR would qualify for a shared net among a cluster of kayak fishermen. I've been out many times when not every kayaker in the group  has had an 18" net. I have never heard of a kayak fisherman in California being sited for not having a net.

Yes, the question was asked previously but there was no mention in the answer regarding minimum measurement at the narrowest point.

This topic has come up before. I think the feeling was that as long as you had a nearby kayak fishing partner with a net you were OK.
 It says, "in possession or available for immediate use to assist in landing undersize fish of species having minimum size limits; That OR would qualify for a shared net among a cluster of kayak fishermen.

I believe this is correct but I wouldn't want to be the guinea pig to try it out without confirmation from DFW

I've been out many times when not every kayaker in the group  has had an 18" net. I have never heard of a kayak fisherman in California being sited for not having a net.

It has happened and it costs $701.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=72046.0

The part about," in landing undersize fish of species having minimum size limits. So if you only have some of the many rockfish species etc, with no size limit onboard then would you also be in the clear? Same principle as fishing with two rods for Halibut when it's obvious rockfish are also down there,

No, you would not be in the clear and it is not the same principle.  The part about minimum size limits is just tautology - it is the explanation for the law, not part of the law.  It shouldn't be there because its dumb, but it is what it is.  It is worried about incidental catch as well as if you are targeting fish with a size limit.

When you are fishing for CA halibut in the same area where rockfish are found and you are fishing two rods, if you do not have any rockfish on board you are fine.  But you still need a net.  You just release them if you incidentally catch them.  The two are definitely different conceptually.