Shouldn't Pier/Shore Anglers Be Required To Carry Nets?

[The Happy Wanderer]

Hey, all. I know you have to have a net aboard a boat (see below), but no such rule exists for pier and shore fisherfolk. This has become an issue in recent years when I fish on piers. I always carry a net because it makes common sense to me. Big conventional net for the shore; standard crab ring for the pier. Yet, too often in my view, I am the only one on a given pier who has a crab ring. I am expected to yield this when someone is fighting a fish. Sometimes people do not even bother to ask. It is arrogant and I do not stand for it.

It's one thing when a newbie needs help. But I see the same people targeting large fish--squid baiters with big poles going after sharks or bat rays--and they never bring any landing device. Ever. Given their gear, it is obvious they can afford a net. But the attitude is, gimme gimme gimme. It's a sentiment that has me avoiding piers altogether more and more these days. Who needs the aggravation?

So...does anyone else think it's high time to require anglers be responsible for their catches? I know, more rules are the last thing we need, and this poor benighted republic is sadly combative and fractious and polarized. But we've seen what happens when people are trusted to rely on the better angels of their nature. Chaos.

Peace, and a good World Kindness Day to one and all.


Under Gear Restrictions, General 28.65 (d)

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.

 

[Mahigeer]

I don't get the part of having a net for shore fishing, but I agree for pier fishing. Cast-a-nets are not allowed in Southern California for fishing, but for landing fish from shore? Not sure. By shore, do you mean jetty?

Some may carry a pier gaff, but not good idea to gaff a fish that will be released.

When at the Mole I carry a telescopic net. If I see some one could use it I help them, but I do not let them have it. They are too costly to repair. I broke it myself twice.

 

[The Happy Wanderer]

I mean bank or shore. Jetty, too. I keep forgetting that most of Southern California saltwater fishing is pier or beach, but even so, yes, a net for any kind of fishing. How else do you bring a fish in?

I am opposed to gaffs, period. I'm pretty good at determining a legal size, but the margin of error is still too great. Can't safely release a gaffed fish

Cast nets do not apply to this topic.

I hear you on lending an expensive net! I don't like lending any nets because people forget to return them, or when they get a slimy bat ray, neglect to rinse them. I have been caught (pun intended) without my net while fighting a fish on a pier because someone took it .

 

[Ken Jones]

Good question. I think anyone who fishes regularly, and especially those targeting the bigger species (anything from halibut to sharks/rays and sturgeon), should have a net. However, it would be hard to require a net for the newbies and casual fishermen, those that maybe only go fishing a couple of times a year.

I also agree on pier gaffs and haven't used one for years. The one exception would be those targeting large sharks and rays but even there only if they intend to keep the shark or ray. Fish that are gaffed are usually going to die even if returned to the water.

 

[Mahigeer]

I use a pier gaff as a rescue tool. At the Mole, for snagging the kelp to recover lures. Last trip, I almost rescued my special clips.

I still don't get how a net would be useful on the beach. I use the surf action to land the fish.

I remember seeing pictures of some piers in other states that carried nets for anglers to use. I think one has to pay to fish those piers.

 

[Brock Norris]

Hi everyone. I always have a hoop net with me when fishing the piers,but making it a law would be pointless ,who would enforce it .constantly seeing undersize fish kept no enforcement at all.Education helps for some others just don't care. But its a thought possibly worth considering.

 

[Fishman Fishman]

Hey, all. I know you have to have a net aboard a boat (see below), but no such rule exists for pier and shore fisherfolk. This has become an issue in recent years when I fish on piers. I always carry a net because it makes common sense to me. Big conventional net for the shore; standard crab ring for the pier. Yet, too often in my view, I am the only one on a given pier who has a crab ring. I am expected to yield this when someone is fighting a fish. Sometimes people do not even bother to ask. It is arrogant and I do not stand for it.

It's one thing when a newbie needs help. But I see the same people targeting large fish--squid baiters with big poles going after sharks or bat rays--and they never bring any landing device. Ever. Given their gear, it is obvious they can afford a net. But the attitude is, gimme gimme gimme. It's a sentiment that has me avoiding piers altogether more and more these days. Who needs the aggravation?

So...does anyone else think it's high time to require anglers be responsible for their catches? I know, more rules are the last thing we need, and this poor benighted republic is sadly combative and fractious and polarized. But we've seen what happens when people are trusted to rely on the better angels of their nature. Chaos.

Peace, and a good World Kindness Day to one and all.


Under Gear Restrictions, General 28.65 (d)

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.

Interesting question. I carry hoop net and help other fisherman land fish with it. It builds goodwill and comraderie on the pier. I'm not keen on a law requiring fisherman to have one with them.

Good luck on the pier!

 

[BayFisher]

Thats just the society today I think. People expect things all the time and feel so entitled. I am for the rule, but enforcement will be tough. I always have a crab ring if I a pier fishing for hali, striper or shark/rays and will lend it to someone in need. I get it though, its kind of annoying.