May 14, 2009

Question:We mainly fish near shore in the North-Central designated waters, but also fish in the San Francisco Bay and Delta areas. Can you please let me know when, where and under what circumstances a gaff can and cannot be used to boat our fish? Thank you. (Mike S.)

Answer: used in the landing of any finfish shorter than their minimum size limit (Section 28.65 [d]). Remember that you’re required to have a landing net aboard when fishing from a boat or other floating device to assist in landing any fish that may be smaller than the minimum size limit for that species. These nets must be on the boat or immediately available and have an opening size of not less than 18 inches in diameter.

In inland waters you may not use or even possess a gaff while on the water or within 100 yards of any river, stream, lake or reservoir (Section 2.09), except under certain conditions on the Sacramento River (see Section 2.06).
http://californiaoutdoors.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php Gaff hooks cannot be
(For the purpose of this section, a gaff hook is defined as 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.)