Ocean Finfish Landing Net Size Requirement

I made a collapsible net that stows easily inside the hull. The rim is just copper wire, so it's fairly floppy. I have no idea whether a grumpy warden would consider it acceptable, but sometimes it is the only net I carry.





What do you think the chances are we could get this law changed? Like dtizz was saying, using a conventional net is almost never the best way to release a fish.

But why would you net (and probably injure / damage the slime coat) on an undersized saltwater fish? Unhook in the water and go on fishing.

Exactly.  Stupid rule.

But why would you net (and probably injure / damage the slime coat) on an undersized saltwater fish? Unhook in the water and go on fishing.

Exactly.  Stupid rule.

I think we can all get behind this. It's dumb dumb dumb.

There were some really slick-looking folding nets that were given as prizes during the last tournament at Anchor Bay, the one that got blown out. They were essentially triangular, so I don't know how "diameter" would apply. Mike L, "Wingshooter" came up with them. Anybody remember the name of those?

I think these are the ones Mike reps:

http://www.egos2slider.com/S2_landing_nets.html

They've been actively enforcing the net rule on kayakers along the SLO to SB area pretty aggressively...based on the stories on cckf and other websites down there.

The whole thing is stupid and contradictary. They want you to carry a net in case you encounter undersize fish...but you really shouldn't net undersize salmon/halibut/striper/lingcod/wsb/others. And the part about the minimum gap being 18" is total bs too. How was that # determined? An oval shaped net that's 18x14 works just as well as a round 18" net, if not better.

That's the first time I've seen the Egos2slider nets.  They are kind of spendy but seem really nice   

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")?

From 2008. See post #16

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=14677.msg138534#msg138534

But why would you net (and probably injure / damage the slime coat) on an undersized saltwater fish? Unhook in the water and go on fishing.

Exactly.  Stupid rule.

I think we can all get behind this. It's dumb dumb dumb.

Yes, exactly.

That's the first time I've seen the Egos2slider nets.  They are kind of spendy but seem really nice   

Mine shredded on it's first use.  I netted a very very hot low 20s lbs ocean salmon with it.  I landed the fish but the net was done for the day and I had to repair it.  I've only used it inland since then.  High concept and I like it, but not for hot salmon in the ocean.  There are better, less expensive nets for that.

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 don't see how another kayaker's net would be available for "immediate use" unless you were rafted together. And although there are some clever ideas in this thread, I suspect that if a warden bothers to ask to see a net, he'd expect you to have a real net. Something that was designed to simply skirt the rules might just piss him off, which can't be a good thing.

I think these are the ones Mike reps:

http://www.egos2slider.com/S2_landing_nets.html

Thanks, Eric. I looked at the website and the minimum dimension was 17", so they don't meet the standard. Back to my "net a Blue Whale if you hook one" extendable cheapo. I've had it since the 1970's, so it can't be too bad.

I think these are the ones Mike reps:

http://www.egos2slider.com/S2_landing_nets.html

Thanks, Eric. I looked at the website and the minimum dimension was 17", so they don't meet the standard. Back to my "net a Blue Whale if you hook one" extendable cheapo. I've had it since the 1970's, so it can't be too bad.

The large size is 19x21 or 22x23.

I made a collapsible net that stows easily inside the hull. The rim is just copper wire, so it's fairly floppy. I have no idea whether a grumpy warden would consider it acceptable, but sometimes it is the only net I carry.





What do you think the chances are we could get this law changed? Like dtizz was saying, using a conventional net is almost never the best way to release a fish.

I like this. It looks like a great place for some pool noodle scraps!


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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

So tell us more about your ocean experiences with this net. Do you think it contain/control a salmon or Hali?  Interestingly, these seem very much like a collapsible & floating version of a cheapo crab ring, which I have considered trying out for this very purpose (they are very big and nice and deep).


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