2024 Groundfish Regulation Change Summary (Approved on 3/26/2024)

Fish and Game Commission adopted the proposed in-season groundfish regulation change during the teleconference meeting on March 26, 2024
 
This is only a partial victory, and we will continue to seek an exception for the Non-Motorized Vessels to provide us equal access time as power boaters.  Thank you to all workgroup members and other supporters.

​You can watch the meeting video recording: https://cal-span.org/meeting/cfg_20240326/

This change must go through the California and Federal administration process and is expected to be effective in early April 2024.  Make sure you verify that the season is officially open prior to going fishing in Apri.

1. Season structure (See Table 1 for the summary)

In the Northern, Mendocino, San Francisco, and the Central-North of 36° N latitude GMAs, the season structure is proposed as:
• closed January through March;
• open seaward of the 50-fathom boundary line for shelf rockfish, slope rockfish, and lingcod in April, October, and December; and
• open shoreward of the newly-established 20-fathom boundary line in May through September, and November.

In the Central-South of 36° N latitude and Southern GMAs, the season structure is proposed as:
• closed January through March;
• open in all depths April through June;
• open shoreward of the 50-fathom boundary line July through September; and
• open seaward of the 50-fathom boundary line for shelf rockfish, slope rockfish, and lingcod October through December.​

Downloadable Files

20-Fathom Boundary Line off California: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Groundfish#287201301-20-fm-line

• 20fa GPX file - Download and import to your fish finder
  20fa-dfg-track https://fe8d0049-436b-45ce-aebe-f95064da1bb8.filesusr.com/ugd/da58b5_6987c4e5f11e450b9af90109b67bf6af.gpx?dn=20fa-dfg-track.gpx
  
  50fa GPX file - Download and import to your fish finder 50fa RCA Line GPX https://fe8d0049-436b-45ce-aebe-f95064da1bb8.filesusr.com/ugd/da58b5_65b1bf19c0d1457aa7a9d07153954350.gpx?dn=50%20Fathom%20RCA%20Line.gpx
  
  50fa GPX file (Navionics) - Download and import to Navionics App.
  https://fe8d0049-436b-45ce-aebe-f95064da1bb8.filesusr.com/ugd/da58b5_584022fec9fa43009d264fc46147c618.gpx?dn=50fa_gpx_file-Navionics.gpx

2. Descending Devices: No person shall take or possess any federal groundfish as defined in Section 1.91 and all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos from any boat or other floating device in ocean waters without having a descending device in possession and available for immediate use to assist in releasing rockfish to the depth of capture.

​Three major descending devices are currently available for purchase, and I want to share what I know of them.  Some people use homemade ones, too.

​ SFD™ (Shelton Fish Descender™)

It is low-cost and simple to use

I attached a large snap swivel to attach the weight

User instruction: https://www.sheltonproducts.com/SFD.html

Purchasing options:
https://www.sheltonproducts.com/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C7UJYB2/?coliid=ID1N08HIMJUZ6&colid=2IP2SHYUKL6Z5&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it
eBay

 

SeaQualizer Descending Device

More advanced options to preset release depth (Shallow - 30'-50'-70', Standard - 50'-100'-150', Deep - 100'-200'-300')
Recommend the Shallow model

User instruction: https://seaqualizer.com/technology/

Purchasing options:
https://seaqualizer.com/product/seaqualizer-descending-device/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R2BLV3Z/?coliid=I1YJYBRWPNZKC2&colid=2IP2SHYUKL6Z5&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Fishsaverpro Descender

User instruction: https://fishsaverpro.com/how-to-use-guide/

Purchasing options:
https://fishsaverpro.myshopify.com/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083NN7Z2K/?coliid=IDRPRRN6CQ87Y&colid=2IP2SHYUKL6Z5&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

​3. Quillback no take – 0 Bag limit

Quillback Identification Flyer: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=197176&inline

 4. Vermilion limit reduction to 2-sub bag limit in all areas except Northern Groundfish Management Area, which has a 4-sub bag limit.

​Visit the Non-Motorized Vessel Petition Website for additional information: https://paul95255.wixsite.com/non-motorized-vessel

Full Revised Proposed Regulatory Language - March 22, 2024: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=221409&inline

Staff Summary for March 26, 2024, FGC Meeting-Recreational Fishing Regulations for Federal Groundfish: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=221407&inline

Wow!  Thanks for the great info Paul 

Thank you!🙏

So there shutting down all of October and then re-open for November hmmm kinda like the old abalone diving rules where July was closed. Interesting.

thank you Paul

Did they say anything about Copper?

Did they say anything about Copper?

No, I didn't hear any.
I don't think there will be any changes for Copper.

Paul

Thanks for the update Paul
and thank you for all the work you put into this

May 1 is my new christmas

Thanks for the update Paul
and thank you for all the work you put into this

May 1 is my new christmas

You guys are very welcome. 
Lately, I have been watching many rockfishing-related videos to prepare for the season opener.
I can't wait to try some new techniques and jigs.

Paul

Thanks for the info!

SFD looks super-simple. But, are we really supposed to use a descending device, even if fish are caught in relatively shallow water? I usually fish for for bigger game, and generally barbless. I've released vast numbers of RF bycatch, and it's always no-touch--just grab the hook and shake. It seems to me that a descending device will have a lot more chance of harming the fish than what I do, with no possible benefit, at least in shallow(ish) water.

Thanks for the info!

SFD looks super-simple. But, are we really supposed to use a descending device, even if fish are caught in relatively shallow water? I usually fish for for bigger game, and generally barbless. I've released vast numbers of RF bycatch, and it's always no-touch--just grab the hook and shake. It seems to me that a descending device will have a lot more chance of harming the fish than what I do, with no possible benefit, at least in shallow(ish) water.

No I'm sure if it goes down easy like you said a few shakes and it goes , that's the best way anyway. As far as harming effect if its bad enough its lingcod/shark bait.
Can you imagine the look on that lingcod when it sees a large fish being shaken as you yank on the descending device. LOL heck it might be worth putting a lure on above the descending device and leave it there after you yank the other fish off eh? never know.

Thanks for the info!

SFD looks super-simple. But, are we really supposed to use a descending device, even if fish are caught in relatively shallow water? I usually fish for for bigger game, and generally barbless. I've released vast numbers of RF bycatch, and it's always no-touch--just grab the hook and shake. It seems to me that a descending device will have a lot more chance of harming the fish than what I do, with no possible benefit, at least in shallow(ish) water.

 
No I'm sure if it goes down easy like you said a few shakes and it goes , that's the best way anyway. As far as harming effect if its bad enough its lingcod/shark bait.
Can you imagine the look on that lingcod when it sees a large fish being shaken as you yank on the descending device. LOL heck it might be worth putting a lure on above the descending device and leave it there after you yank the other fish off eh? never know.

This will work with smaller fish.

Thanks for the info!

SFD looks super-simple. But, are we really supposed to use a descending device, even if fish are caught in relatively shallow water? I usually fish for for bigger game, and generally barbless. I've released vast numbers of RF bycatch, and it's always no-touch--just grab the hook and shake. It seems to me that a descending device will have a lot more chance of harming the fish than what I do, with no possible benefit, at least in shallow(ish) water.

 
No I'm sure if it goes down easy like you said a few shakes and it goes , that's the best way anyway. As far as harming effect if its bad enough its lingcod/shark bait.
Can you imagine the look on that lingcod when it sees a large fish being shaken as you yank on the descending device. LOL heck it might be worth putting a lure on above the descending device and leave it there after you yank the other fish off eh? never know.

This will work with smaller fish.

I don't think that will work if the fish has barotrauma.  You wont be able to send a bloated fish down with only a couple of ounces, you need something over 6oz and more is better/easier to descend.

Thanks for the info!

SFD looks super-simple. But, are we really supposed to use a descending device, even if fish are caught in relatively shallow water? I usually fish for for bigger game, and generally barbless. I've released vast numbers of RF bycatch, and it's always no-touch--just grab the hook and shake. It seems to me that a descending device will have a lot more chance of harming the fish than what I do, with no possible benefit, at least in shallow(ish) water.

 
No I'm sure if it goes down easy like you said a few shakes and it goes , that's the best way anyway. As far as harming effect if its bad enough its lingcod/shark bait.
Can you imagine the look on that lingcod when it sees a large fish being shaken as you yank on the descending device. LOL heck it might be worth putting a lure on above the descending device and leave it there after you yank the other fish off eh? never know.

This will work with smaller fish.

I don't think that will work if the fish has barotrauma.  You wont be able to send a bloated fish down with only a couple of ounces, you need something over 6oz and more is better/easier to descend.

I attached a large Snap Swivel to adding additional weights simpler.

Paul

Thank you Paul, the information you gave is great, I'll have to digest it. This will be new for me as last year we just fished off a boat. looking forward to a kayak adventure. I'll review the past post and look for the GPS points, I may have some questions to post, thanks again for your work on this, R.