Rockfish

I am a bit torn on this one the regs state you can not target, harass, catch etc... any fish that is out of season.  I don't think anyone would think that after salmon closes we should go out and try to catch and release any salmon or rockcod for that matter. Sure you might catch a ling during some December RC fishing but pulling it out of the water and weighing it crosses the line I think.

So I am making a ruling on the field, no lings after the closure. Next year I will make this more clear in the rules.

Technically, you need to immediately release it unharmed. I suppose a picky warden could cite you for measuring a fish that has a closed season i.e no size at all acceptable so why are you measuring and risking the fish? Who knows? I have known people busted on fly stream from barbless hooks regs with mashed down barbs that still drew out one filament from a cotton ball when passed in and out of it--cited for a barbed hook. It is unfair but it depends on the warden. Of course an accidental catch is an accidental catch and if they spot you form shore or a boat far off and then come down on you, the fish is long gone so...no intent, no evidence, no crime   Of course the other guys on the board won't believe you either with no proof

Okay.  It'll just be a good story if it happens........