Landing Net Required???

Hello Folks,

I tried to search this in this forum, but came up dry.

I was wondering if I need to have a landing net on my tube or kayak while fishing?

Somewhere? I remember reading it was required by law. I can't seem to find anything now.

Thursday I aborted my tubing trip because I forgot my PFD. That one, I know is a must.

Anybody have some insight?

Thanks,
Manuel

I don't think it is law to have a landing net as far as I know. Must guys have one to handle the bigger fish and it makes it a little safer if you have one with you for the bigger catches. But I don't think that it is a law again I could be wrong, lets see what others have to say.

Ive never heard of that law n I never carry a net. Ive need a net sometimes but dont think its a law. An pfd is not a biggie in my eyes ive never had one with me an been floatin for over 8 + yrs. But its all on how it makes you feel.

I've actually heard the opposite,that it is required to land fish on any type of floating vessel no matter if its a boat or a float tube,I personally learned my lesson by losing a nice fish from my tube for not carrying a net.

if your goin to use a net i heard u dont net halis cus it can cause damage to there tails and iv only used a pfd my first time out in the salt and i havent used it since

I know from boats, yak landing net are required but not sure they are from tubes

Yes they are required by law!!! Sometimes if I don't bring a net i will sweat it a little! You don't wanna run into a DFG officer on a bad day. You gotta have a net!

Check out Promar Ahi nets! Love 'em,..

wow did not know about the net

ya me either what about pfd u no about that

See that I learned something also, as for PDF's ya they are required and pushed only in certain places.

I cant find the landing net law any were.

Weird, we have been stopped by the DFG a couple of times, and was never asked, nor told we need to have a net..Also, Lok, can you cite the DFG regs on that one..? I'm to lazy to search..

Anyways, I always LIP my fish..

I remember hearing something about this as well, I carry a net only for halibut because you cant lip'em, I got one of those rubber mesh safe release nets just for the purpose.

I'm too lazy to find the regs but cause where I read it...8 years ago on another tubing website not kayaks there's 3 things you need float tubing: a whistle, PFD and net! DFG rarely will enforce this, but I'm telling you one day some tuber will run into this problem,..

The net requirement is a salt water thing.

From 28.65 of the Ocean regs.

d) No gaff hook shall be used to take or assist in landing any finfish shorter than the
minimum size limit. For the purpose of this section a gaff hook is any hook with or without a
handle used to assist in landing fish or to take fish in such a manner that the fish does not take
the hook voluntarily in its mouth. 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.

Individual lakes can have their own requirements but there is no CA law that I can find that requires float tubes to have them.

This is the only thing I've ever found on the PDF requirement on Float Tubes.

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Float Tubes — A float tube is typically a nylon-encased rubber inner tube/tubes, or a
hard plastic tube, with a built-in seat through which the operator’s legs dangle in the
water below. Some have small gear storage spaces. A non-motorized float tube is
propelled by the use of swim fins, while a motorized one is propelled by an electric or
hand-pump motor, often with the additional aid of swim fins to steer and help propel.
Motorized float tubes are required to carry proper life jackets; non-motorized float
tubes are not.

That is obviously a saltwater scenario from what I can find,(requiring a landing net) but if I
have even the remote possibility
of wrestling a muskie or an alligator gar or even a northern pike up between my legs, thrashing and tossing
a crankbait with multiple treble hooks
sticking out of it's toothy mouth within inches of my family jewels, I'd
feel like an idiot without a net. As far as a PFD, especially if you are wearing waders I want want one along just in case. This is just common sense. I am a strong swimmer but have you ever tried to swim in waders?? Or have you ever had a muscle spasm or just a common cramp while in the water, much less a heart attack or a dizzy spell or WHATEVER?? Safety first is my cup of tea no matter what the law says at the time. As always, just my humble opinion and I'm 55 and I haven't drown yet. I've sure read about a TON of drownings though, haven't you??

Thanks for the references Bugger.

Just the info I needed.

Manuel

bugger wrote:Individual lakes can have their own requirements but there is no CA law that I can find that requires float tubes to have them.

This is the only thing I've ever found on the PDF requirement on Float Tubes.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Float Tubes — A float tube is typically a nylon-encased rubber inner tube/tubes, or a
hard plastic tube, with a built-in seat through which the operator’s legs dangle in the
water below. Some have small gear storage spaces. A non-motorized float tube is
propelled by the use of swim fins, while a motorized one is propelled by an electric or
hand-pump motor, often with the additional aid of swim fins to steer and help propel.
Motorized float tubes are required to carry proper life jackets; non-motorized float
tubes are not.

very interesting.

Regarless of the law I have taken to carrying a net after having seen posts on various other forums where on very rare occasions ( but occasions none the less ) tubers had the misfortune of getting a bladder on their tube "quilled" by spiney type fish while fighting them in close. Floating devices with no air leaks work best for me.