Gaff or Net? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

herbo · 08-16-2010, 05:59 PM

Hey Guys! One quick question. I know you need a net when fishing on a kayak, but if you have a gaff can you leave the net at home? or do you need both? can't find a DFG rule book on this..... Thanks

H

ryan111 · 08-16-2010, 06:51 PM

Use a gaff

dmrides · 08-16-2010, 07:22 PM

To quote the Kid and many others, "Gaff and release."

But seriously, I have never taken or really needed a net, the only time I could envision one being useful is when releasing halibuts. But the wrong net can permanently damage or even kill them and you can fairly easily land and safely release them with your hands or one of those boca grip things.

Not that I know much, but that's just my $0.01

LakersFan · 08-16-2010, 08:19 PM

Page 51 of the 2010-2011 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations (28.65.d) states, "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."

Link to regulations: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pdfs/oceanfish2010.pdf

This is why so many guys carry a net even though they rarely use it. Some store it inside the kayak just to comply.

GregAndrew · 08-16-2010, 09:37 PM

It is one of those laws that you would only be written up for by an officer that you had already pissed off. But, for $20 you can get a collapsible net that can easily be stored below deck out of the way. If you ever do any fresh water fishing, remember not to take the Gaff.

Whizz Bang · 08-17-2010, 03:52 PM

Gaff only, I know ALOT of the LJ regulars and none that I know carry a net. Take a cue from the guys lucky enough to be able to fish LJ 2-3+ times a week and save yourself the room. I have been checked by DFG a couple times sans net and it was never even discussed (my inability to hook up was, however, a conversation focal point

).

dorado50 · 08-19-2010, 10:58 AM

Take the net! Not only can you catch fish with it you can use it to catch butterflies while soaking bait! Kill two birds with one net...no seriously forget the net.

-scallywag- · 08-19-2010, 11:41 AM

you really don't NEED either but the gaff is the most desirable....a net is the last thing on my list of things to bring.

JUST GRAB'UM like whitedog does!!!!!!

herbo · 08-20-2010, 12:53 AM

Thanx everyone, a wealth of information for sure.....

H

08-16-2010, 05:59 PM	#1
herbo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Canyon Country, Ca. Posts: 116	Gaff or Net? Hey Guys! One quick question. I know you need a net when fishing on a kayak, but if you have a gaff can you leave the net at home? or do you need both? can't find a DFG rule book on this..... ThanksH __________________ mellow yellow malibu eXtreme

08-17-2010, 03:52 PM	#6
Whizz Bang Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 396	What??? Gaff only, I know ALOT of the LJ regulars and none that I know carry a net. Take a cue from the guys lucky enough to be able to fish LJ 2-3+ times a week and save yourself the room. I have been checked by DFG a couple times sans net and it was never even discussed (my inability to hook up was, however, a conversation focal point).

08-20-2010, 12:53 AM	#9
herbo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Canyon Country, Ca. Posts: 116	Thanx everyone, a wealth of information for sure.....H __________________ mellow yellow malibu eXtreme

08-16-2010, 06:51 PM	#2
ryan111 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: la jolla CA Posts: 146	Use a gaff

08-16-2010, 07:22 PM	#3
dmrides Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Point Loma Posts: 584	To quote the Kid and many others, "Gaff and release." But seriously, I have never taken or really needed a net, the only time I could envision one being useful is when releasing halibuts. But the wrong net can permanently damage or even kill them and you can fairly easily land and safely release them with your hands or one of those boca grip things. Not that I know much, but that's just my $0.01

08-16-2010, 08:19 PM	#4
LakersFan Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 92	Page 51 of the 2010-2011 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations (28.65.d) states, "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." Link to regulations: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pdfs/oceanfish2010.pdf This is why so many guys carry a net even though they rarely use it. Some store it inside the kayak just to comply.

08-16-2010, 09:37 PM	#5
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	It is one of those laws that you would only be written up for by an officer that you had already pissed off. But, for $20 you can get a collapsible net that can easily be stored below deck out of the way. If you ever do any fresh water fishing, remember not to take the Gaff.

08-19-2010, 10:58 AM	#7
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	Take the net! Not only can you catch fish with it you can use it to catch butterflies while soaking bait! Kill two birds with one net...no seriously forget the net.

08-19-2010, 11:41 AM	#8
-scallywag- Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: on the road... Posts: 598	you really don't NEED either but the gaff is the most desirable....a net is the last thing on my list of things to bring. JUST GRAB'UM like whitedog does!!!!!!