Halibut

August 11, 2022

Question: Is it legal to gaff a California halibut as long as it's longer than the 22-inch minimum size limit? I'm curious about this for boating and shore fishing.

Answer: Yes, you may gaff legal-sized halibut. Gaffs may be used to land most species that are equal to or greater than the minimum size limit, per California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, section 28.65(d). Gaffs are not allowed for the take of species that have a defined, allowed method of take or have a prohibition on snagging. Examples include, but are not limited to, sturgeon and striped bass. Section 28.65(d) also specifies that a landing net with an opening diameter of 18 inches or greater must be aboard when fishing from a boat or floating device in ocean waters.

For additional information see CDFW’s fact sheet on handling short halibut (https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=146633&inline).

Gaffs are not allowed for the take of ... sturgeon and striped bass.

Why can't a gaff be used to land a striped bass?

Gaffs are not allowed for the take of ... sturgeon and striped bass.

Why can't a gaff be used to land a striped bass?

Specifically for the ocean:

My understanding is that you can use a gaff to assist in landing a striped bass that has been legally hooked.  You can’t free gaff one. You can’t retain a foul hooked striper.

If you look at the sturgeon regs it specifically says you can’t gaff them. §27.90(d).  The striper regs don’t say any such thing.

Gaffs are not allowed for the take of ... sturgeon and striped bass.

Why can't a gaff be used to land a striped bass?

Specifically for the ocean:

My understanding is that you can use a gaff to assist in landing a striped bass that has been legally hooked.  You can’t free gaff one. You can’t retain a foul hooked striper.

If you look at the sturgeon regs it specifically says you can’t gaff them. §27.90(d).  The striper regs don’t say any such thing.

you cant even have a gaff on board when targeting sturgeon iirc

Gaffs are not allowed for the take of ... sturgeon and striped bass.

Why can't a gaff be used to land a striped bass?

Specifically for the ocean:

My understanding is that you can use a gaff to assist in landing a striped bass that has been legally hooked.  You can’t free gaff one. You can’t retain a foul hooked striper.

If you look at the sturgeon regs it specifically says you can’t gaff them. §27.90(d).  The striper regs don’t say any such thing.

you cant even have a gaff on board when targeting sturgeon iirc

I don't see that anywhere in the regs.  At least in the ocean, it should be fine.  In inland waters you can't possess a gaff anywhere except the main stem sacramento below the deschutes bridge in Anderson.  If you are targeting sturgeon in the main stem sacramento you have to be downstream of butte city anyway which is 100 miles or so downstream of Anderson.  I don't see any prohibition against possession of a gaff while sturgeon fishing on the main stem sacramento below Butte City.  You definitely can't use it on a sturgeon though.

I still don't understand why stripers are specifically mentioned. The answer says

"Gaffs are not allowed for the take of species that have a defined, allowed method of take or have a prohibition on snagging."

Which half of this ("defined, allowed method of take" or "prohibition on snagging") would be violated if you gaff a striper, assuming that you are fishing water where it is legal to have a gaff in possession? And why wouldn't the same rules as for stripers apply to other species like, say, salmon? Is there not a "defined, allowed method of take" and a "prohibition on snagging" salmon?

I still don't understand why stripers are specifically mentioned. The answer says

"Gaffs are not allowed for the take of species that have a defined, allowed method of take or have a prohibition on snagging."

Which half of this ("defined, allowed method of take" or "prohibition on snagging") would be violated if you gaff a striper, assuming that you are fishing water where it is legal to have a gaff in possession? And why wouldn't the same rules as for stripers apply to other species like, say, salmon? Is there not a "defined, allowed method of take" and a "prohibition on snagging" salmon?

Because Carrie is human.  She says that examples include but are not limited to, and didn’t try to list them all.  I’m still pretty sure she’s talking about free gaffing, and no you can’t free gaff a salmon in the ocean.  You must take salmon by angling.

Sometimes I can still hear her trying to say “integral part of take”.  I think that this might be one of those times.