rockfish deeper?

I see some good reports on coastside for deeper water (150+).

Think the fishing is good in the deeper stuff while the shallow has not got going yet?

If I get a day with low wind, I'd consider paddling way way out from bean hollow, out
where I fished with Alan Tani that day.

J

How far out will it be (1 mile or 2 miles)? Please mark GPS for BH beach before heading out. The cove is easy to miss when foggy. This happened to me yesterday. Good luck!

Party boats out of HMB have been fishing near the depth limit 150-175. I was finding quality fish up north in the 80-100 depth.

I was getting more rockfish trolling 125-150 ft at SWS than I was in 50-90.   

two friends of mine, one a 6-pack skipper and the other a commercial fisherman, both like to fish the 175 foot line.  they use whole squid, double hook rigs and 1 pound weights.  at that depth, it is the weight that sets the hook, not you.  it can be very productive.  ling cod can be released from that depth and survive, but not rockfish.  those are the two main issues with deep water rockcod. 

oh, and spectra is your friend.

sounds like if you don't mind doing a lot of filetting of potentially smaller fish to
get a shot a good fish or two, and want to fill the freezer, this could be a plan.

I used a 10.5 oz chrome Salas PL-68 there last year for three good ones and no
small ones around that 160 to 170 foot mark with you Alan.

it's not real compelling for me as long as I can have entertainment and catch
enough fish for a dinner which has been the case so far with shallow water
santa cruz, but I might just need a change of pace before the near-shore
fishing around pigeon point gets better.

J

Generally rough seas cause the nearshore rockfish to lay low, possibly so the surge doesn't blow them away from their homes or something.  This is less of an issue in deeper water so the fishing is less weather dependant.  It's been a crappy year on the coast so far.

  It's been a crappy year on the coast so far.

Amen to that brother!!
I am keeping my fingers crossed for the MBF at Bodega.