What would you do?

[Zed]

Question: ...Is a kage legal to use as a gaff on a kayak?

Answer: The kage would not be considered a gaff and thus not be legal to use as a gaff from a kayak. A gaff 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” (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 28.65(d)).

A kage would be considered spearfishing gear and subject to the diving and spearfishing regulations (CCR Title 14, section 28.90). Under these regulations, you would be required to be floating or swimming in the water to use this device to take fin fish, other than those listed in this section.

It can also be considered a spear or harpoon, in which case (under CCR Title 14, section 28.95) if you were not in the water but on a kayak, boat or on the shoreline, it can only be used to take skates, rays and sharks (except white sharks). And the device can’t even be possessed on a boat when swordfish or marlin have been taken.

Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at CalOutdoors@wildlife.ca.gov.

So, if I want to use a kage, I'll need to hop in the water real quick to stick the fish, then climb back aboard.

[jorluivil]

Originally Posted by Zed

Question: ...Is a kage legal to use as a gaff on a kayak?

Answer: The kage would not be considered a gaff and thus not be legal to use as a gaff from a kayak. A gaff 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” (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 28.65(d)).

A kage would be considered spearfishing gear and subject to the diving and spearfishing regulations (CCR Title 14, section 28.90). Under these regulations, you would be required to be floating or swimming in the water to use this device to take fin fish, other than those listed in this section.

It can also be considered a spear or harpoon, in which case (under CCR Title 14, section 28.95) if you were not in the water but on a kayak, boat or on the shoreline, it can only be used to take skates, rays and sharks (except white sharks). And the device can’t even be possessed on a boat when swordfish or marlin have been taken.

Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at CalOutdoors@wildlife.ca.gov.

So, if I want to use a kage, I'll need to hop in the water real quick to stick the fish, then climb back aboard.

Yes, jump in the water, spike, or Kage the fish, climb back into kayak.

Pretty simple if you ask me

[Dingokevin]

i have had DFW stop me on the water for a license check and gear. With my kage sticking out of my crate and they did not say anything about it.

[chris138]

Wasn't there a guy who was selling hand made kage on here?

Watching the rob yuen videos it looks like he destroys those things and they come back all bent up on big fish. Maybe a disposable model would be ideal

[jorluivil]

I would compare a Kage to a car that has dark tinted windows. When/if you're pulled over by a police officer for a moving violation chances are your attitude will determine whether or not you'll be cited for the window tint, the same goes for the Kage when the DFG pulls up and ask you for your fishing license.

[YakDout]

Originally Posted by Zed

So, if I want to use a kage, I'll need to hop in the water real quick to stick the fish, then climb back aboard.

Sounds easy enough