Am I reading this Herring Reg. correctly?

[weregel]

Might have too much time on my hands waiting for ice out but this one has been bothering me.

By "dip net" is the regulation identifying something like a landing net? Therefore limiting the landing net you can use with a Stoolie to an opening size to either 14" or 13", about 1 square foot but at the same time allowing a 4' x 4' scap/lift net with a 16 square foot target?!?!

Taking of anadromous river herring with personal use nets
1- No person shall take anadromous river herring with a net within Hudson River Tributaries and Embayments.
2- No person shall take anadromous river herring from the Hudson River:

• with more than one net when taking with a scap or dip net;
• with a dip net exceeding 14 inches in diameter if it is round form or exceeding 13 inches by 13 inches if it is square form;
• with a scap, or lift, net exceeding 16 square feet;
• with a seine net exceeding 36 square feet; or
• with a cast net exceeding 10 feet in diameter.

Last year I used the only "dip net" I could find that met the reg. as I read it. I have a couple 13" hoop "dip" nets normally used for blue crabbing down in De./Md. They have extending handles that go from 4' to 8'. You slide them under the crab clinging to a chicken neck on a string. They generally drop off into the net just as they get to the surface.

But using a stoolie from a rocky shore to bring the bait over a 13" net is a challenge. It is doable and not too bad during the heavy run but there were times when I relied on Sabiki rigs and I'm not ashamed to say the charity of "strangers" from time to time.

A full sized 4' x 4' Scap/Lift is not really ideal in the broken rocky area I'm usually in. If I am reading this correctly, should I be building maybe a 2' x 2' Scap/Lift that would be more manageable from the shore. That would quadruple the target area.

Or am I simply all wet with my reading? No one, and I mean NO ONE! that I saw was struggling with this small a net using Stoolie/Dip Net in the areas I fished last year. Most simply used their landing nets, as long as the mesh was small enough.

[grampy06]

I believe your reading it corectly

[bassinbrian]

By "dip net" is the regulation identifying something like a landing net? Therefore limiting the landing net you can use with a Stoolie to an opening size to either 14" or 13", about 1 square foot but at the same time allowing a 4' x 4' scap/lift net with a 16 square foot target?!?!

If you want to use a larger dip net you can purchase a Marine Permit Certificate for $1.00. You have to send in a catch report every season or they will not renew the permit.

I have been doing this for many years now. I use a big landing net/stoolie method.


BB

[gunner1]

I know it DOES seem odd but yes if you use a scap net it can be 4'x4' but for any dip net over 13" you need a permit for it. That's the reason I got my scapping license a few years ago. Sometimes it can be easier as one person doing all the work to use the smaller net, although getting the herring right where you need me hem can be more difficult. I just bought a new landing g next this year that should be ideal. It has a large opening, small rubber coated mesh with a deep net and a handle that'll extend to eight feet. Between that and my regular scap net I should be good to go!

[StriperG]

Do you need a scapping license to scap even if you're a recreational fisherman, or only if you're commercial?

[weregel]

Bassinbrian & Gunner1 .... Thanks for the information.

StriperG, for personal use you can use a 4' x 4' scap net (not bad), or a (very small) 14" or 13" (depending on shape) dip net on your free Marine Registry.

As Bassinbrian and Gunner1 pointed out, to use a larger net, up to 10' x 10' you need the Marine Permit. For a new permit they want a picture a dollar and you need to send in a monthly "Catch and Effort" report. Then they allow you to use "commercial" gear.

"Permit Type: Scoop, Dip, Scap ‐ up to 10 feet square Permit Fee $1_____"

BUT, it also seems that you cannot use your "commercial" gear from 6:00 am Friday thru 6:00 pm Saturday during the Striper/Herring season.

Anyone know if the report has to be filed snail mail or is there an electronic filing method?

Link to the River Herring Management page with the Marine Permit stuff toward the bottom.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/76525.html

Link to the application pdf........
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/regions_pdf/marineperap.pdf

[gunner1]

Originally Posted by weregel

Bassinbrian & Gunner1 .... Thanks for the information.

StriperG, for personal use you can use a 4' x 4' scap net (not bad), or a (very small) 14" or 13" (depending on shape) dip net on your free Marine Registry.

As Bassinbrian and Gunner1 pointed out, to use a larger net, up to 10' x 10' you need the Marine Permit. For a new permit they want a picture a dollar and you need to send in a monthly "Catch and Effort" report. Then they allow you to use "commercial" gear.

"Permit Type: Scoop, Dip, Scap ‐ up to 10 feet square Permit Fee $1_____"

BUT, it also seems that you cannot use your "commercial" gear from 6:00 am Friday thru 6:00 pm Saturday during the Striper/Herring season.

Anyone know if the report has to be filed snail mail or is there an electronic filing method?

Link to the River Herring Management page with the Marine Permit stuff toward the bottom.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/76525.html

Link to the application pdf........
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/regions_pdf/marineperap.pdf

I mail mine in every year by snail mail. As of last year they started sending multiple sheets to fill out because they want them mailed at the end of each month I believe- regardless of if you caught any or not.

[bassinbrian]

I mail mine in every year by snail mail. As of last year they started sending multiple sheets to fill out because they want them mailed at the end of each month I believe- regardless of if you caught any or not.

Yup ^^ ... It used to be end of season but as of last year they now want info mailed back by the 15th of following month. I wish they did it electronically but no, have to mail it in.

I have been doing the net thing for years and Never been asked to see permit once. I just know the one year i decide not to renew it, i'll get checked ... Not worth a fine when permit is only ONE dollar.