San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Hey Everyone,

I’ve been doing some research on live bait traps for saltwater. Does anyone know if it’s illegal to use these out in the bay or surf to catch small bait fish ? If not do you have any recommendations?

Thanks!

Sadly they are illegal. Only dipnets allowed and they have to be a certain size.

I saw online and wanted to get clarification that fish traps are ok as-long as it’s 3ft or less in diameter.

I hope your just wording it wrong because like I said any trap, meaning any kind of cage style trap is highly illegal to use. You say trap and I naturally assume a freshwater style crawfish or minnow trap lol. Dip nets however perfectly legal as long as it's 36" or smaller in diameter... Also your gonna have allot easier of a time in the bay, pretty much impossible to do in the surf. Basically pull up to any public dock, lower to the water the better. Set your net down maybe a foot below the surface and start chumming bread or anything over the net. Pretty easy to figure out from there. Earlier in the season at my work we were chumming them up with Parmesan cheese packets and throwing them in our mini bait receiver haha.

Maybe I am but you’re most likely correct. I’m still pretty new to the game so I’m still asking for educational purposes. This is what I was thinking about and envisioning.

https://www.amazon.com/Noa-Store-Fishin ... 2b66b7f5ac

Freshwater:
From the 4.05. BAIT FISH CAPTURE METHODS.
(a) Approved bait fish may be taken only by hand, with a dip net not exceeding 36 inches in greatest dimension, excluding handle, or with traps not over three feet in greatest dimension. Such bait fish may not be purchased, bartered, sold, transferred or
traded; or transported alive from the location where taken. Any other species taken shall be returned to the water immediately. Traps need not be closely attended. Dip net use: A dip net must be hand held, and the motion of a dip net shall be caused only by the physical effort of the operator. A dip net may not be moved through the water by any mechanical force or motorized device.

Saltwater:
28.75. BAITED TRAPS FOR SHINER SURFPERCH, PACIFIC STAGHORN SCULPIN
AND LONGJAW MUD SUCKERS. In San Francisco and San Pablo bays and their saltwater
tributaries, and in the open ocean and the contiguous bays of Mendocino, Sonoma and
Marin counties, traps not over three feet in greatest dimension may be used to take shiner surfperch, Pacific staghorn sculpin and longjaw mudsuckers. Any other species taken shall be returned to the water immediately.
28.80. DIP NETS AND HAWAIIAN TYPE THROW NETS. Dip nets of any size and baited
hoop nets not greater than 36 inches in diameter may be used to take herring, Pacific staghorn sculpin, shiner surfperch, surf smelt, topsmelt, anchovies, shrimp and squid. Hawaiian type throw nets may be used north of Point Conception to take such species.

So...
Legal in the "open ocean," but only for catching three specific species...two of which mostly live in bays. Better off going with Roncador's suggested hoop nets for smelt, anchovies, etc.

Thank you !!! Hopefully that clears it up for some others as well.