[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?