SMCA vs SMR Pebble Beach

Hello,

I have been looking at the regulation quidelines on SMCAs and SMRs at pebble beach.  Below is a link to the map i have been using  http://www.dfg.ca.gov/m/MPA/Map.  The SMCA takes up the entire SWS cove (highlighted in blue).  The SMR is highlighted in red off the coast.  My questions is are we able to fish the cove where it is SMCA.  I apologize for the newb question, in the past i have fished mostly from rivers and lakes.

Pebble beach SMCA:
Boundary: This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

36° 33.65' N. lat. 121° 57.10' W. long.;
36° 31.70' N. lat. 121° 56.30' W. long.; and
36° 31.70' N. lat. 121° 55.55' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited except:

    The recreational take of finfish is allowed.
    The commercial take of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) and bull kelp (Nereocystis spp.) by hand is allowed under the following conditions:
        Any individual kelp harvester with a valid permit issued pursuant to Section 165 may take no more than 44 tons of kelp from the portion of Administrative Kelp Bed 219 within the Carmel Bay State Marine Conservation Area in any calendar month.
        Duplicate landing records must be kept on board the harvest vessel in accordance with the requirements of Section 165.

Carmel Pinnacles SMR:

Boundary: This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed:

36° 33.65' N. lat. 121° 57.60' W. long.;
36° 33.65' N. lat. 121° 58.50' W. long.;
36° 33.10' N. lat. 121° 58.50' W. long.;
36° 33.10' N. lat. 121° 57.60' W. long.; and
36° 33.65' N. lat. 121° 57.60' W. long.

Permitted/Prohibited Uses: Take of all living marine resources is prohibited.


this is a better site:

https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/MPAs/Network/Central-California#27248554-carmel-bay-state-marine-conservation-area

Usually SMR = An MPA designation that prohibits damage or take of all marine resources (living, geologic, or cultural) including recreational and commercial take

Usually SMCA = An MPA designation that may allow some recreational and/or commercial take of marine resources (restrictions vary)

and to answer your question yes you can fish inside the cove. just don't take seaweed and you will be fine

Yep, that SMCA is all good for fishies. Just no invert take...so if diving can't take scallops or crabs or GPO until North of pescadero point and outside the SMCA.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Thanks for your help!  If i am reading that correctly then as long as i stay within the bay i should be safe to go after rockfish and ling cod.  Does anyone have any tips on where to paddle from launch to get to a good area?  I have read that if you head north from the pier that there are better reefs then the soutside.  I was able to purchase the radio and other essentials to be safe.  The fishfinder will have to wait until later when i have the proper funds to purchase.  Therefore, any tips will help!  I have been told that if i find kelp then i have found rock structure.  Is that generally the case?

Thank you for your help

Zach

Yep, that SMCA is all good for fishies. Just no invert take...so if diving can't take scallops or crabs or GPO until North of pescadero point and outside the SMCA.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Thanks for the clarification Jim!

Yes, I would advise heading towards the offshore island/boiler rock that is by Pescadero Pt. And maybe work around the point to the NW if it's calm enough. Remember that once you get outside the cove and beyond the offshore island, you are at the mercy of wind & swells...compared to inside the protection of the cove. So I almost always go straight out there and fish until it gets too windy/rough...then come back inside the cove to calmer water.

On the attached map (which will self destruct in 30 minutes), I would follow the path of the red line. Note it goes around the south side of bird shit rock. And fish near the blue circles in 40-100FOW. And remember, if you really need to catch a fish, the best technique is probably a whole squid/herring/sardine (that's what I sometimes revert to if the fish aren't biting the standard swimbait or iron jig). 

The kelp is unavoidable at SWS. I would suggest you find an open pocket inside the kelp and tie-off to the up-drift side of the opening...then just toss your lure/bait into the open pocket and start jigging. Tying up will result in less snags, especially if you don't have a fishfinder yet. Pay special attention to the angle of the kelp strands as they lay on the surface...that'll tell you which direction the drift is going...that helps avoid snags too. I can't go tomorrow but I bet you will find someone there to tag along with...most people there are friendly and will oblige if you tell them you're new and want to learn...and that you have all the proper safety gear!

Great advice PK!!

I would add that if it feels too rough in your blue circles, try fishing inside the cove, or on the outside of the birdshit rocks...better than not fishing at all...I've caught and shot nice fish all over there.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I recommend using bait right now.  The water visibility is incredible and it seems like the fish aren't hitting my jig or swim bait like they usually do.  The other day I switched to herring and started nailing fish but before that, nothing. 

Josh

Great advice here. I'm not much of a bait guy. Matter of fact I've used it once this year. Swimbaits and irons are you you really need, in my opinion. As Jim mentioned you can catch fish anywhere around the point and beyond. Weather permitting. Keep in mind that this weekend is going to be kinda roly poly. Good luck and be safe!

Swells look big, but 13-14s apart.But very little wind. Shouldn't be too bad I don't think?