How Do You Do Yours?

[alanw]

I've always wondered about using a game clip on a fish that has been gaffed but not yet landed on the boat...


28.65. GENERAL. Except as provided in this article, fin fish may be taken only on hook and line or by hand.
28.65 (d) states when a gaff can not be used, so it is assumed a gaff can be used otherwise to take fish.
28.95 states when a spear or harpoon can be used, so it is assumed they cannot be used otherwise to take fish.

There is no exception to Take (kill) a fish using a "Fish Billy" to club it, or using a knife to stab or to cut gills, although these methods are generally used after a fish is landed. All I could find on the subject is http://californiaoutdoorsqas.com/tag/halibut/ which seems to be only an opinion that these two methods are legal.

Similarly, there is no exception for use of a game clip to Take a fish although it seems common among kayak anglers here, but there aren't any special rules that apply to kayak fishing. Using a game clip to secure your catch after it has been taken (landed, killed) isn't an issue. The issue is using it as part of actually taking a fish, when there is no exception for it or anything like its use.

I know everyone that does this will argue that it's legal, but what part of the code makes it legal?

[King Saba]

Pretty much do the same thing except I like to fish on my left side. It's just more comfortable, and I don't have to rotate my torso so much.

[PapaDave]

Pretty much the same, except on the left side and I don't try to chase it down. I've found the if the fish takes off to the side I raise the rudder and hold the pole straight out to the front of the kayak so the fish will turn the kayak towards it. I find this to be easier than trying to steer.

[jruiz]

Overhanded and with the other hand I do a blooming flower motion....oh you mean fighting a fish. Pretty much the same but the preference is to my left side, but I move the fish to the right side when I see color. Gaff, game clip, stringer, unhook, bleed, club, and sometimes I brain the fish.

[Denis_Ruso]

Now that you mention it, landing fish in a hobie sounds way easier.

I usually have to tire the fish out, until its doing circles on the left side, bring it to about a foot below the water, keep tension on the line, loosen the drag a tad bit, grab my gaff with my left hand and pull the fish within 6"-0" of the surface and sink the gaff directly into its eyeball.

[Iceman]

I never clear the lines, I thrive on chaos this usually culminates into that other line draping over the line just ahead of the tip top as I wait for it get sucked in and wound onto the reel..........but so far that has never happened.

Always fight the fish on the left side and gaff with the left hand. Choke up on the rod with the right to get fish in range. YT I always try to lead em in a circle and stick em as they come from under the boat, head shot or the gill area, maybe belly if in a panic......same for the rare opportunity to stick a tuna. WSB, easy gaff usually belly to not put a big hole in the prime meat. halibut in the shoulder to hopefully stun them.

[Iceman]

LOL that vid cracked me up. Sometimes that fish's destiny is preordained to become dinner no matter what.