They are $9.00 for the year, from January to December.
Buy online or in person from hundreds of VDGIF license agents
located around the state. Although the license shows a 300' gill net
in length, regulations state max
length for recreational use is 110'.
* Any law or regulation applying to the setting or fishing of commercial gill
nets shall also apply to gill nets when set or fished for recreational purposes
[4 VAC 20-670-30].
* In areas located upriver of lines defined in 4 VAC 20-430-45: recreational
gill nets may not exceed 110 feet in length; both ends of a recerational gill
net must be marked by a floating buoy of at least 3 ½" in diameter and floats
and buoys of the gill net must be painted blaze or flourescent orange; and must
be removed from the water no longet than 1 hour after being set [4 VAC
20-430-45].
* Buoys of any gill net used for recreational purposes must be marked with
the licensee's last 4 numbers of his/her social security number or driver's
license number (at least 1"high), preceded by the letter "R" [4 VAC 20-670-40].
* Any person licensed to use a recreational gill net must stay within 100
yards of their net when it is overboard [4 VAC
20-670-30].
Some of the catfishermen use a 2" Mesh x 4" Stretch but that net is illegal January- March.
* From January 1 through March 25, it is unlawful to set or fish gill nets with stretched mesh size between 3 3/4" and 6" within the restricted areas described below, except that during February any legally licensed fisherman may set or fish gill nets with stretched mesh size from 5" to 6" within the restricted areas described below. From March 26 through June 15, it is unlawful to set or fish gill nets with stretched mesh size greater than 6" within the restricted areas described below except as described by 4 VAC 20-252-135.
James River: Upstream of a line connecting Willoughby Spit and Old Point Comfort
**Note**
The above point is at
the mouth of the James and the
Chesapeake Bay Map
VDGIF biologist Bob Greenlee said "All the information I have at this point indicates that the 100-pound mark is within reach, Greenlee, who manages the James' catfish fishery.
The James is a highly productive system, and as long as the forage -- primarily gizzard shad -- holds out we will continue to see the size structure for blue cat catches expand upward, possibly topping the 100-pound mark this year or next."
As the popularity of gills nets increase rapidly there are some concerns that the bait fish (Shad) my be depleted at a point that regulations could be implemented, that is if any reports indicate a sharp decrease in the Shad population. Respecting the gill net and its ability to catch large amounts of bait should be on our minds, because sooner or later there will be more shad in the net than you can use. At that time you are wasting valuable fishing time clearing the net and trying to find other fisherman to take the unneeded shad.
So especially us that are "just-learning" please respect the net and do your best not to waste. While we enjoy the great fishing we have and the freedoms, we need to make sure we take care of our fishery. Most everyone is releasing the catfish unharmed and thus securing the fishing for years to come. Lets work together to make sure we take care of our bait too, in order to secure our continued freedom to use a gill net.
Report Form The above link is the form provided by VMRC for the annual report.
4VAC20-670-50. Reporting requirements. Any person using recreational gear, other than recreational fish cast net, recreational fish dip net or recreational eel pot, described in 4 VAC 20-670-20 shall report annually, on forms provided by the commission, the weight and species harvested, location of harvest, days fished, and amount of gear used.
Now please remember to get your Gill Net License. They are $9.00 for the year, from January to December.
Note:
Gill Net License
can now be purchased through the DGIF,they are $9.00 for the year, from January to December.
Buy online or in person from hundreds of DGIF license agents
located around the state.
Notice: Gill Net License News
from DGIF:
All the saltwater licenses presented in our purchasing
systems are VMRC license and DGIF provides the service of selling them
as an agent. A link below to VMRC showing "What's New"
showing the six recreational license that
DGIF is now selling for them through our system. Customers can contact
us at 866-721-6911 for replacements or corrections on any of the
licenses we sell.
DGIF's system is completely automated, customers purchasing via DGIF will be able to
purchase the VMRC's 2010 license on 01/01/2010. 3 ways in which to purchase licenses through DGIF,
link below: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/licenses/
For further assistance, contact DGIF at 866-721-6911.
July
2, 2009: Six Virginia Marine Resources Commission licenses for
recreational use of some commercial fishing gear now will be available
for purchase through the Virginia Department of Game and Inland
Fisheries' easy-to-use online or over-the-phone license sales system.
Available for purchase for recreational use will be licenses for fish
cast net, fish dip net, crab trotline, 300-foot gill net, eel pots and
a crab pot license that allows up to five pots to be set
recreationally. These licenses now can be purchased online at Licenses,
by calling 1-866-721-6911 (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
except holidays) or in person from hundreds of DGIF license agents
located around the state. Licenses are also sold by some clerks of the
Circuit Court, or through mail order. The licenses will continue to be
sold by VMRC licensing agents as well.
Exit 53 off I 95
Dance's Sporting Goods
570 Southpark Blvd
Colonial Heights, VA
(804) 526-8399
If you need further assistance from VMRC, contact them at 757-247-2265 and they
will be happy to assist you.
For most catfisherman that are fishing for the trophy size blue catfish use 12-14 inch shad.
These pics are me in action with the smaller floats on the other net that is 2 x 4" stretch....I have 4 flat floats on that net. Yep that's a huge tub I have... most guys use a 5 gallon bucket....the tub makes it a little easier....these were taken at Trespass Pit first choice on the Photo....the 5 gallon bucket in front of the cooler has my cutting board in it that fits over the bucket....I have a bunch of wash clothes I keep on the boat...when cutting up my shad I have a wash cloth wet and folded in half on top of the cutting board and place the shad on top of it....then after cutting up each shad I just lean out on the water and rinse out the wash cloth...that keeps the mess down a little....those were 12-14" shad in the cooler:
In reviewing my records I find before day break and the last 2 hours of outgoing tide is the very best time to catch bait but not always able to catch that combination. My understanding shad will be deeper after sun rise. During the day, it's much easier to catch bait the last 2 hours of outgoing tide, on high tide the bait is scattered.
The easiest way to catch the shad is with a gill net.
Many of the catfishermen order the gill net fromThe Fish Net company
Stock number is: LGM-6617 Price for 6' x 50' was less than $65 plus shipping.
Mono 6' X 50' long.... 1-3/4" Mesh 3 1/2" Stretch.... 3/8" Float Rope.... Leaded Core Bottom Rope
Many of the guys are now going to the 100 feet length , don't have a Stock number
for that, but
call Lee @ 800-256-5256. for info...
Don't forget to order a couple of those
large bullet floats below.
Also you have to order your floats separate. I forgot the stock # for my floats. Virginia regulations require that you use at least a 3.5 diameter float on each end of the net and painted a florescent/reflective orange.
Also remember Virginia regulations require the last 4 numbers of his/her social security number or driver's license number (at least 1"high), preceded by the letter "R" on each end float.
Note: I am now using an orange in color (much better than painting), 5-1/2" diameter x 14" long bullet floats I purchased from The Fish Net Company. The reason being I have heard of guys loosing the gill net by getting in deeper water or a catching large fish in the net. Of course with the larger floats on each end it's a little added insurance that the net will stay afloat in these situations.
Eastern Marine Outlet also sells an orange, 5" diameter x 11" long bullet float made for Crab Pots.
You will also notice I have a looped knot at the end of the float rope so I can hook the loop when retrieving the net. The loop needs to be larger just to make it easier and I also had to add the 1/2" flat washers since the holes were so large in the center of the floats. The washers keeps the knot from pulling through. Some guys just use their landing nets to grab the float also.
Here is a video off of YouTube that has Tim Hagan in it. He's a guide on the Potomac River and Catfish Nation President
This video shows a gill net already out and being taken back in after soaking for a while. Some people will get confused about the floats across the top of the net. Some nets have the floats and some nets have a float line rather than a float every 12-18 inches.
Both have advantages and disadvantages. I use the net with out the floats across the top and that's what Fishnet sells that I have listed. 2 advantages is it takes less room in a bucket or tub and you can adjust the floats on each end by adding an extension to the float line so the net can be used in deeper water if the bait fish are deep rather than shallow. With floats across the top every 12-18 inches that would be unpractical to try.
The one advantage of the net with floats would be less chance of a large fish taking the net under.
One thing I might mention I also put the shad in a 5 gallon bucket lined with a 30 gallon trash bag as they come out the net. When I have enough shad I just pick up the bag and place in the cooler on ice. That keeps the shad off the melting ice and water and also makes it much easier to clean the cooler.
Some of the catfishermen use a 2" Mesh x 4" Stretch but that net is illegal January- March.
SEASON AND TIME RESTRICTIONS
* From January 1 through March 25, it is unlawful to set or fish gill nets with stretched mesh size between 3 3/4" and 6" within the restricted areas described below, except that during February any legally licensed fisherman may set or fish gill nets with stretched mesh size from 5" to 6" within the restricted areas described below. From March 26 through June 15, it is unlawful to set or fish gill nets with stretched mesh size greater than 6" within the restricted areas described below except as described by 4 VAC 20-252-135.
James River: Upstream of a line connecting Willoughby Spit and Old Point Comfort
**Note**
The above point is at the mouth of
the James and the Chesapeake Map
Report Form
The above link is the form provided by VMRC for the annual report.
4VAC20-670-50. Reporting requirements. Any person using recreational gear, other than recreational fish cast net, recreational fish dip net or recreational eel pot, described in 4 VAC 20-670-20 shall report annually, on forms provided by the commission, the weight and species harvested, location of harvest, days fished, and amount of gear used.
Most use 5 lb weights on the bottom of each end of the net to hold it in place....while looking for eyebolts and hardware to make the weights for each end at Walmart....I run across 5 lb Neoprene incased hand weights for I'm thinking $5 ea which worked great. Just remember the bottom of the net has the lead line and the lead line will be smaller in diameter.
Note:
On the 100' gill net I'm
using 10 lb mushroom anchors
on each end..
I just wrapped a rope around the middle section about 4 times and tied a knot with about 2 feet left over....then tied a a looped knot on the other end.
I tied a looped knot in the weighted net line and ran the shackle through both loops. So now if I need to take the weight off.....no problem.
Ok here's where the user of the net has to use discretion in the time the net is in the water or the term used "soak". Many times a guide will let a net soak 15 - 20 minutes, but you have to remember he may have 2, 3, or even 4 clients, sometimes a second boat for the day. When putting out the net, a mouth of some creek right off of A flat can be a good place. Just start dropping it around 4 to 5 feet of water then back your boat up straight. When you drop off your other end hold the LEAD line & the float rope some what tight Then drop the LEAD LINE then pull the float rope tight, taking rest of the slack out. At this point a suggestion is made to hold on to the float line/rope.....then you can feel when the shad are hitting. When the net is pulled in try to position the boat so that the current is pushing the boat away from the net, therefore keeping the boat a safe distance away as not to get the net tangled in the boat.
If you don't hold on to the float rope....watch for the float rope jumping then go pull it in. Don't let it soak over 5-10 minutes before checking.....when shad are thick 5 minutes could be long enough. If you feel the shad hitting the net as you let it out.....you may need to pull it back in as soon as you have it out. Regulations state you must stay with in 100 yards of the net if you do decide not to hold on to the float rope.
Another caution......that you must keep in mind .....is the gill net is set up basically for shallow water from the above illustration...most of the floats will not keep the net a float with 5 pound weights on each end ....if you get in much over 12 feet of water depending on how the weights were attached. But to save confussion the net will float if no weights were added....the weights keep the net in place and also I have found many times the shad are on or near the bottom.
One thing the guys were telling me was don't be afraid to stretch the net and also if I use a fish pick it helps. It may be a good idea to use gloves when handling shad in the gillnet while you are learning. The first time my hand's got pricked pretty bad. A fish pick helps BIG TIME in getting them out. The Fish Net company has them for about 3 bucks - they're really just a hook with a handle to help you get hold of the net and pull it off.
It is a bit of a problem getting them out of a 4" net. On the smaller ones shad you can just grab them by the head (stick you thumb in the gill for grip) and pull the through the net head first. The bigger shad often have to be backed out which is where the pick helps.
Thought I would mention this...we had a guy from this area that was fishing the James a couple of years ago. He was using a gill net and just had it laying on the deck of the boat as he let it out. His feet got tangled up in it and pulled him off the boat. He could not get his feet loose in the water and if his fishing buddy wasn't with him that day he would have drowned. This was in the winter and they were close to the truck to change clothes.
With that in mind I would think using some type of a container to let the net out....would be a wise and safe thing to do...instead of having it loose.
Another report a couple of years ago , a catfisherman got tangled in his anchor rope during the winter months as he was throwing out the anchor, got him off balance, and in the water he went. He was able to get back in the boat quick. Luckily he didn't have his cell phone on him but in the boat and was near the ramp. He lived in the area and his wife met him at the ramp with dry clothes.
.
Two more incidents this summer where experienced fisherman fell out the boat leaning over to far trying to land a fish in the net. One of these guys had been fishing for over 20 years and never fell out of the boat and was a good swimmer. He was able to get back in the boat in a couple minutes. However on the other overboard fisherman that was just below Jordan Point, rescue had to be called. The current swept him away and it was several hours before getting back to the boat...good thing it was summer time.
With
that said, things can happen, Safety
First....
Safety First -- Winter Months Catfishing from a boat --
An Average of less
than 15 minutes to get out of the 32°
Water If you fall in....
...
Catfishing is year round enjoyment but prime time are the winter months, especially from the end of November through February. Catfish are in their winter pattern and many times found stacked in deep holes. During this time of the year hypothermia is a concern and should be given much thought for fisherman's safety.
The weather can be frigid with the air and water temperature dropping and always the wind chill factor to consider.
Wind may be another factor as far as staying dry, depending on the type of boat and water. On the James with areas of big water at Hopewell and downriver it's very important to know what the wind is doing. Some boats have more spray than others and you don't want to be wet.
Although there are heavy insulated coveralls and coats on the market most recommend to dress in layers. The basic thermal undergarments are a good start, as they will also wick moisture from the skin. Polypropylene is the thickest thermal material available. Staying dry is top priority in cold weather, pure cotton will retain moisture. Several poly blend sweat shirts and jeans for the next layers and top it off with a layer of water resistant clothing such as Gore-tech. On those extremely cold and windy days I will also use a PVC rain coat before putting on the top layer....this always keeps my chest and shoulders warm in extreme conditions.
As far as head gear, a
large percentage of body heat is lost through your head and a ball cap is not enough in winter months. A silk balaclava is what I use. It's thin so I can have layers on my head also. The second layer I use a wool beanie and sometimes wear a cap over both. If it's extremely cold or traveling the river in the boat I will protect my lungs by pulling the balaclava up over my mouth.
Often mittens are recommended as they offer more warmth than gloves because your fingers can touch each other and give off more heat. Always keep spare gloves on board. It's easy to get the gloves wet before thinking.
When choosing a boot it needs to be waterproof and insulated and one that has good traction, don't want to slip and fall out the boat. Another thing to look for is thick-soled boots to help keep your feet warm. Pick a size that will allow for thick socks. Keep your feet warm and dry, feet are the first to loose feeling in the cold.
Your survival may depend on a PFD in cold water, weather it be the vest or inflating type, if falling out of the boat.
Try to find somewhere on the boat to carry a spare set of clothes and shoes.
Back to Top
SEASON AND TIME RESTRICTIONS
Also you have to order your floats separate. I forgot the stock # for my floats. Virginia regulations require that you use at least a 3.5 diameter float on each end of the net and painted a florescent/reflective orange.
![[image]](picts/fshpk.jpg)