NorCal Kayak Anglers

General => Fish Talk => Fish ID sub-forum => Topic started by: Sin Coast on June 16, 2009, 10:42:25 PM

Title: Rockfish ID Photo: GOPHER Rockfish
Post by: Sin Coast on June 16, 2009, 10:42:25 PM

My own personal tribute to the greatly under-appreciated gopher rockfish. Feel welcome to add to this thread--a Tribute to the Gopher Rockfish.

(http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/Sin_Coast/Shelter%20Cove%2009/P5140533.jpg)


(http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/Sin_Coast/kayak%20rockfish/PICT0118.jpg)


(http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/Sin_Coast/kayak%20rockfish/PICT0162.jpg)


(http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/Sin_Coast/kayak%20rockfish/PICT0175.jpg)
A real trophy.


(http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/Sin_Coast/kayak%20rockfish/PICT0202.jpg)
This one tried to impregnate me!


(http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/Sin_Coast/kayak%20rockfish/P6120673.jpg)
Last but not least. A DOUBLE of gophers on a halibut rig. Truly a feat of skill.

Title: Re: Rockfish ID Photo: GOPHER Rockfish
Post by: Fisherman X on June 17, 2009, 07:22:41 AM

Nice! Some folks disparage the "lowly" Gopher rockfish, but I have not had better tasting fish tacos than from a stringer of fresh Gophers - I love 'em!!!  :smt007

Title: Re: Rockfish ID Photo: GOPHER Rockfish
Post by: & on June 17, 2009, 10:27:57 AM

Calling Northern Boy.... :smt005

Title: Re: Rockfish ID Photo: GOPHER Rockfish
Post by: Sledge on June 17, 2009, 02:25:32 PM

last yr OC...don't know how to post pics yet...so might be and attachment... :smt003

Title: Re: Rockfish ID Photo: GOPHER Rockfish
Post by: Northern Boy on June 17, 2009, 03:30:22 PM

At last, some recognition for the humble Gopher. Body of a rockfish, heart of a Lion.  The Gopher is the only rockfish I've hooked on a jig that was bigger than the fish itself.

My own personal tribute (note to those not familar with the rockfish; the fish below is not a gopher. If you catch one of these at Ft Ross, you should probably call Al Gore, it would be all the evidence he needs)

(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/NB32/P5020384.jpg)

Gophers are often confused with Copper rockfish. So much so that I'm not 100% sure this is a Gopher or a Copper, tho' if forced to choose, I'm gonna say Gopher 'cos it fought like the Kraken.

(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/NB32/P5150330.jpg)

My only other gopher of 2009
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/NB32/P5300336.jpg)

My first ever stringer of Gophers. Happy, happy days.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e374/NB32/FortRossJune212998010.jpg)

Title: Re: Rockfish ID Photo: GOPHER Rockfish
Post by: Sledge on June 17, 2009, 03:40:10 PM

 :smt005 Northern Boy U Rule!

Title: Re: Rockfish ID Photo: GOPHER Rockfish
Post by: bwodun on June 17, 2009, 08:27:59 PM

ok i am confused, i thought these were coppers, is gopher just a nickname, either way they are fun when they hit the line

Title: Re: Rockfish ID Photo: GOPHER Rockfish
Post by: Tote on June 17, 2009, 09:51:45 PM

I just look for the Sh!t on my kayak to tell if it is a gopher or not.

Title: Re: Rockfish ID Photo: GOPHER Rockfish
Post by: Northern Boy on June 17, 2009, 10:52:09 PM

Quote from: bwodun on June 17, 2009, 08:27:59 PM

ok i am confused, i thought these were coppers, is gopher just a nickname, either way they are fun when they hit the line

No, Coppers (Sebastes caurinus) and Gophers (Sebastes carnatus) are different species. They're pretty tough to tell apart at first and even now I sometimes have problems, especially of the gopher is big (like in the pic above).

Gophers are genetically identical to Black-and-Yellows (Sebastes chrysomelas) although they're obviously a different color and, in my experience, Gophers get bigger and are in deeper water than Black-and-Yellows. Speciation in action perhaps.

Title: Re: Rockfish ID Photo: GOPHER Rockfish
Post by: Sin Coast on June 18, 2009, 09:05:22 AM

Yeah, it's hard to see the difference between coppers and gophers sometimes. Coppers will generally have taller dorsal fins w/some white blotches (and they're more orange-ish). Whereas the gophers don't have any white, a shorter dorsal fin, and dull pink blotches. And, well, gophers max out at 12 inches while coppers can exceed 10lbs! (the record is much smaller but a legit 10lber was caught during a RF sampling trip inside Pt Lobos last fall)
An easy way to remember is: gopers = pink+brown
                                        coppers = orange + white
The rockies in Sledge's pics are probably coppers. And the first fish in NB's post is probably a copper too.

Title: Re: Rockfish ID Photo: GOPHER Rockfish
Post by: Sledge on June 18, 2009, 09:34:45 AM

Quote from: Sin Coast on June 18, 2009, 09:05:22 AM

An easy way to remember is: gopers = pink+brown
                                        coppers = orange + white
The rockies in Sledge's pics are probably coppers. And the first fish in NB's post is probably a copper too.

ahh, nice to know that the coppers are the larger, I didn't!...I was catching some toads out there...a little reef mile out...no ff, would drift for hours till I found it and when i did...Wham,Bam,BAMB :smt044 :smt044 :smt044...little fishies better be scared cuz my eagle 350 s/map gps is showing up tomorrow...gonna do the prep with the noodle today... :smt003

Great info thx Sin... :smt004

Title: Re: Rockfish ID Photo: GOPHER Rockfish
Post by: stuppid on July 08, 2009, 09:34:15 AM

The gopher rockfish is the most delicious rockfish in the ocean.  I always keep a few early on.