Ok, I was not sure about Alabama, but I did have a gentleman mention something about it in Florida when I was throwing a net for bait one time. I could not remember exactly what he said and the particulars, I just wanted to point out the need for folks to check the regs regarding licenses etc. since it is still considered fishing even though not using a rod and line. would hate to see someone get a ticket or fine.

I never have, but it reminds me of a story...

One night Mrs. Irish and I were eating at Uncle Ernie's. We were having a couple of cocktails and waiting on our dinner when we noticed two boys ride up on their bicycles up to the piers out from the restaurant. They had masks, fins and a couple of homemade Hawaiian slings with 3 pronged gigs on the ends. In just a minute, they were diving all in the water spear fishing under those piers around the boats just having a time of it.

They must have some pretty cool parents just to let them roam like we used to when we were kids.

We went out and talked to them and show us the fish they were spearing. We asked what they had for dinner and they didn't know, so we bought them both a shrimp basket and a couple of cokes. The waitress brought them out the go boxes about the time our dinner came out.

Good kids. Made me wish I was 12 years old again.

I still throw one when we are at St. George Island. On an outgoing tide you can wade a few hundred yards in the bay and net all the mullet you care to eat. I have surf fished at Fort Myers beach and netted bait fish when wadding out to cast. If any of y'all haven't been on Florida's gulf coast South of Tampa you should. Way better opportunities to enjoy surf fishing with a better catch selection down there in my opinion. Beautiful area it is.

It’s not size you need to worry about. There are only certain fish you are allowed to catch and keep with a net. I saw a boy with some sheep heads get a ticket from “ Fish and Feathers”

Throwed one all my life..never on the beach..canals an everwhere else to catch bait..but never on the beach

I throw nets off the piers. I've seined many a five gallon bucket of medium to jumbo sized white shrimp off the beaches though.