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

[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

[YakDout]

Maybe he will give you a fix it ticket...

[jorluivil]

Originally Posted by YakDout

Maybe he will give you a fix it ticket...

Fix it ticket or not, everyone knows that when you deal with law enforcement your attitude will determine whether you'll walk away with a warning or with a citation.

[wiredantz]

not only your attitude, but the DFG attitude. The officer could just be in a pissed off mood for whatever reason

[MrPukaShell]

Instead of a Kage why not use one of these. You swing it down on the fish. What do you think?
https://www.landbigfish.com/Pucci/Pu...-Hand-Gaff.cfm

[YakDout]

Originally Posted by MrPukaShell

Instead of a Kage why not use one of these. You swing it down on the fish. What do you think?

https://www.landbigfish.com/Pucci/Pu...-Hand-Gaff.cfm

Good point, its got a hook on it.

[alanw]

You probably won't get a citation for simply having a kage because they are legal for sharks rays and skates (and pacific halibut). You can get cited for using one on any other fish.

[wiredantz]

Originally Posted by alanw

You won't get a citation for simply having a kage because they are legal for sharks rays and skates. You can get cited for using one on any other fish.

so what you are saying is that someone who gets paid alot of money came out with a law that is very hard to enforce...

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