Sturgeon catches for AOTY

"(g) Special North Coast District Sturgeon Closure (Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity and Siskiyou
cos.). It is unlawful to take any sturgeon in the North Coast District at any time."

But I can fish for one if I have a punch card.  My question is, if there's no take (no slot limit...) then what makes this different than other catch and release fisheries like salmon in the Eel River?  I should be able to catch and release a 9' sturgeon and use it for AOTY.  Right?

Thoughts?

Nope
Catch and Release means it's OK to fish for and catch just illegal to keep.
No take means you can't fish for them

Ah...  Thanks, Mike.

I guess this leads me to my next complaint:  I gotta go pretty far south to get sturgeon or stripers!   

Oh well, that's why I like the prizes for biggest of species...   

Yep no take = no fishing.

Abking looks like you are going to have to make a trip from the holy land down to the slums of the bay area at least once 

Am I clear also, that if a fish is not legal to keep where it is caught, that it cannot be registered for AOTY?

For instance it's legal to fish for steelhead in the Russian River, but illegal to keep a native fish.  Does this mean, then, that native steelhead in the RR may not be registered for AOTY points?

?

C&R is OK. If it is legal to FISH for it according to the DFG then it is legal to register for AOTY points. Basically no take is the same as fishing out of season, you can't even be out there trying.

I would agree with Bill's interpretation entirely.  Aw ild fish in an open river is fine. A wild fish in a closed river, not ok.

Ab-I drove up there MANY times in pursuit of AOTY...it goes both directions!  Mendo is 2 hours from Loleta...we all drive that far for certain species.  You can win without a sturgeon.

It also wouldn’t be good for AOTY because it has to be caught in NorCal.  By the time you landed a 9 footer on a kayak, it would have pulled you to Alaska.

From what I heard there were a couple of dino's caught in Humboldt Bay last August or so - I may still have the opportunity to legally score sturgy points up here in salt...

You're right Sean, but two hours?  I'm not driving with you!     it's 2.5 for us sane folk!   

it's 2.5 for us sane folk

Abking, you might have to get used to driving this far...since you have mentioned before that you support the MLPA, if and when they close some some of your best fishing locations, you might be making these longer drives just to go fishing or Ab diving

And in truth, I hope they (MLPA) don't, cause you've got some really nice fishing holes

And in truth, I hope they (MLPA) don't, cause you've got some really nice fishing holes

that YOU and I are gonna check this year on OUR "ROAD TRIP TO AB Kings PLACE"  got it work-out with your new boss already brudah!    didn'tItellyou?

or go to Colusa and get one....aBIG ONE FOR SURE! (whichIamthinkBoutdoing)
 

FisHunter,

Did you just imply Road Trip to AbKings Lair?

Lions and Salmon and Bears.

If this happens I'm not going but want pictures and full reports.

AbKing,

I am pleasantly tired of inviting NCKA folks to sometimes camp on my acre.   Maybe they think I am trying to entice them for some ulterior motives.   Bet on it.

FisHunter,

Did you just imply Road Trip to AbKings Lair?

Lions and Salmon and Bears.

If this happens I'm not going but want pictures and full reports.

AbKing,

I am pleasantly tired of inviting NCKA folks to sometimes camp on my acre.   Maybe they think I am trying to entice them for some ulterior motives.   Bet on it.

I didn't mean his home...just that area of coast line.   

and PLEASE don't tire of being nice HS!  weneedmorelikeyou

I am pleasantly tired of inviting NCKA folks to sometimes camp on my acre.

I get that way alot, Matt, but it's led to several great hookups.     Keep extending the invitations, and don't get discouraged. 

AbKing and FisHunter;

Thank you, really, for the encouragement
weneedmorelikeyou is a good word to hear.

I just like people a lot, and sometimes I just wonder if I might seem too gregarious so people might think I have some ulterior motives, like a weird creepy internet guy.  And I do:  I like to kayak and fish with all ages and sexes, regardless of anything.  My ulterior motive is to just see the smiles and to try to get some decent pictures.

You are always invited.   -Matt

PS:  One of my fishing goals this year is to someday meet and kayakfish with Mooch.