fishing regulations: multiple lines and rockfish

Seems fairly simple to me.  Just like if I catch a RF while trying to sabiki up bait.  It's a species limitation, so unless that sabiki only had 2 hooks, you cant keep them.  Species regs say you can only fish with one rod, and you have two out...not legal!  And if your in a tournament like GS6 with multiple species, multiple regs, you have to think about what fish to catch in what order.  If you slay a slamon early on in the day, now you have to use barbless hooks for the rest of the day and only one rod. 

Or, you can lasso their tails like Alain does!

This rule is pretty basic:  if you fish with multiple lines in the water you can ONLY keep fish that it's legal to fish multiple lines with.  It's not UNTIL you catch another species and THEN pull up your other lines.  It's DO NOT EVER keep a one-line fish if you have more than one line in the water when you catch it.

I'm not new to saltwater fishing, and maybe if you are and you think you got the OK from DFG on this then you need to question whether you properly explained the situation to someone who is actually an authority on it.

If I saw someone fishing multiple lines and keeping one-line fish in my tournament I'd DQ them on the spot.  Not trying to be a D#$k, just trying to be clear that this is a big no no.   

I'm not trying to be a jerk here, but I do want to know what the regulations require. I'm willing to be convinced that I've got this all wrong, but it's going to take a lot more than I've seen so far.

I explained the situation to the DFG person I talked to, exactly as it's described above. It seemed she'd heard this question a lot of times before. I asked it again, mentioning that it seemed a controversial issue in some circles, and I really wanted to be sure I got it correct. So, the person discussed it with her supervisor, and then mentioned that the only issue is that all lines must meet the rockfish regulations. That is, if you catch a rockfish on, say, a 3-hook (or more) sabiki, you'd have to return it, regardless. Of course, that makes sense.

So, if a phone call to the DFG is not going to get me an answer that people trust, what will? Let me know, and I'll do it.

Its not as black and white as you think.  A standard term you should familiarize yourself with is "up to the interpretation of the responding warden."  The desk agents aren't always gonna be the best source of info.  You should talk to the warden patrolling the area you want to fish.  They will be the ones interpreting. 

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If you are fishing with multiple rods/lines, then you have to release the rock fish.

You probably did not talk to a warden, DFG is made up of the biology dept and the law enforcement dept.  The biologists and clerical staff may have some knowledge, but I would ask a warden for interpretation of the law.

She explained it correctly but not very in depth, likely into the context it was presented.  You can legally catch the rockfish with multiple lines but you can not keep the rockfish.  If you possess a legally taken rockfish on board, then you need to be following the rockfish requirements as to depth/number of hooks/and number of lines even when targeting other species.  Same as salmon and barbless hooks.

If you caught the rockfish with multiple lines deployed, it would be "by catch" as it is not the intended species for your fishing method and would need to be released.

It would be the same as catching a rockfish in over 120 feet of water, it would need to be released.  You would not keep it and THEN be regulated to 120 feet.  The number of lines is the same thing, a regulation and if you catch a species for which that regulation is in effect, then the "by catch" would need to be released.  Catching the rockfish is legal, keeping the rockfish is not.

How would this be different than fishing with multiple lines, but having the two hook restrictions in place?  Illegal is illegal, not pick and choose the law you want to follow.  Believe what you want, it is your ticket.  Trust me, if you keep the rockfish you will get one!

So, if a phone call to the DFG is not going to get me an answer that people trust, what will? Let me know, and I'll do it.

Previous posters have mentioned what the regulations are. I'd love to troll 4 rods with barbless hooks until I land a salmon and then switch to one rod. Too bad that could potentially be an expensive fish.