New Cast Net Regs for 2004?

[Fishaholic29]

Was just talking to a buddy of mine, and he said he had heard about a need for a license to throw a cast net. I find it hard to believe, unless you are using it to sell bait or profit somehow. He had no other specifics. I did a few searches online, but couldn't get the most updated 2004 regs. Has anyone else heard of this yet?

[Red_Cherokee]

I have not heard of this. Hope it's not true.

[Guatemala Dave]

What he may have refered to is a loop hole in last years freshwater regulations which would allow you to throw a 4' radius cast net without a freshwater fishing lisence because of the wording. This may have been corrected but I Just jumped over to the Freshwater regulations for 2004 and I couldn't find any changes which would correct this.

The 2004 marine commercial regulations are not posted yet and I haven't bought my bait lisences yet so I don't know what changes could be in the works there. I do know you do have to have a commercial bait net lisence to sell any type of bait caught in marine waters. Hopefully someone will post changes or a link to changes shortly.

[In Depth]

All PA fishing licences only cover hook and line angling, thus a cast net is exempt.

As it is written throwing a net isn't considered fishing in the recreational constraints of a freshwater fishing licence.

Of course this could change with a stroke of a pen but i have heard nothing yet that would change the current law.

[ 01-06-2004, 12:34 AM: Message edited by: In Depth ]

[MargaritaVille]

In Depth,
A fresh water license does allow the use of a scoop net no larger than 24" round to be used for bait fish.

These work great for herring. The tressel that I mentioned to you before is a perfect example of a good spot.

[In Depth]

J
You are correct and i apoligise for leaving that part of the equation out.

I was reffering only to castnets because thats how i understood the question.

Scoop nets are a slightly different animal .

Are you sure that a rec fishing lic is needed for a scoop net? I'm not 100% sure on that one .

Oh and i havent forgoten about that tressel

[ 01-06-2004, 10:41 PM: Message edited by: In Depth ]

[In Depth]

Dave ,

How ya been guy, it's been too long .

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!

[BLUEFINN]

2004 Bait Fish Regulations
1.umbrella net No grater than 3.5 square feet
2.Dip Net Not more than 24"in dia,may be used only for alwife or blueback herring.
3. Cast Net No grater than 8'in dia,may be used only in streams that are not trout stocked or in special regulation trout areas(may not be used in lakes)
Taken from page 7 NJF&W Regulations 2004
Note any person with a valid fishing lic or those entitled to fish without a lic may take baitfish in fresh waters,Possession limit is one days limit regardless of the intent to use these fish.

[ 01-05-2004, 11:52 PM: Message edited by: BLUEFINN ]

[eelball]

The fresh water license is needed because it is considered fresh water in most herring dip area's.
The power lines in Mayslanding is the dividing line for that area. Once you cross them you need a freshwater license for all fishing, inclding striper.

[ 01-06-2004, 09:09 AM: Message edited by: eelball ]

[Guatemala Dave]

Actually in 2003 because fishing is defined ad "with Hook and Line" you did not need a lisence to dip net or cast net Herring. I did not see any change in this wording, but I'm sure someone who is completely in the know could shed light on this page. You would think it would be a great way to get laws and changes out to the public.

Anyway i am very interested in seeing exactly what the rule changes are as implicated by Margaritaville in another connected post on Herring. I'll be going to Nacote Creek to get lisences this week and hope they can answer questions, at least before I but the lisences and rig the required equiptment. Hopefully I'll be able to sell some Herring this spring.

At least I do have a good Maryland connection. They aren't cheap but they are legal. Remember if we let out commercial fishermen catch bait they might not feel like they are missing out on selling stripers.

[eelball]

GD,
I'm 100% possitive that a freshwater license is required for dipping and castnetting.