limits of rockfish

So,

I am trying to get it all figured out for Friday.

Please let me know if this interpretation is correct to your knowledge.

10 rockfish total of the RCG complex
Lings and Cabezon count in this total such that 8 reds, 1 ling and 1 cabezon is a limit.

No length limit on rockfish, and 24" and 15" on lingcod and cabezon respectively.

Here is the one rule I am not sure I understand.  As I read it, you cannot fish deeper than 20 fathoms (120 feet) deep.  Is this right?  120 isn't that deep.....

MolBasser

Looks like you've just about got it.  Don't forget the 1 @ 12" for greenling and the 2 @ 10" limit on Bocaccio and the no retention of  cowcods, canaries and yelloweyes.

Here's a good summary from the DFG website on recreational bottom fishing by region.  Most of us are in the North-Central or South-Central region which seem to have the same regulations.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/bfregs2005.html

Brian

You can only have 1 boccacio this year.


I'm pretty sure.

MolBasser

10 rockfish total of the RCG complex
Lings and Cabezon count in this total such that 8 reds, 1 ling and 1 cabezon is a limit.

WRONG  ... The RCG Complex does not include lings which means you can keep 2 lings over 24" in addition to 10 "RCG" fish.

BTW... "RCG" stands for "Rockfish, Cabezon, and Greenling"

Thanks.  My bad.  I am reading the regs right now.

Complicated bit of stuff.

Am I right on the 120 feet or less though?

MolBasser

from stuart

Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 12:08 pm    Post subject:    

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Here's the official word from the DFG (I was 99.95% sure, so I sent an email):

Section 1.91(b) of Title 14, California Code of Regulations (found on page 19 of the 2005 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet) states:

"RCG Complex means all species of rockfish (genus Sebastes), cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus), and kelp and rock greenlings (genus Hexagrammos)."

So, while it's true that lingcod are members of the greenling family (Hexagrammidae), they are not members of the genus Hexagrammos, and are not included in the RCG Complex aggregate limit of 10 fish. You could legally possess 10 RCG species (9 rockfish and 1 cabezon, 9 rockfish and 1 greenling, or 8 rockfish, 1 cabezon and 1 greenling) and 2 lingcod.

Good luck.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Edgar W. Roberts III
Marine Biologist
California Department of Fish and Game
4665 Lampson Ave Suite C
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
562.342.7199 Office
562.342.7139 Fax
310.291.8862 Cell
[email protected]

Right, no deeper than 120' in this area of the coast.  For kayakers this isn't much of a concern.  I've been way out off pescadero and only in 70'.  At fort ross I've been to about 100', ect.  Only place I've been over 120 in the ocean is moss landing.

Might not sound like much, but jigging on the bottom that far down requires heavy jigs/gear and a LOOOOONG time reeling in your catches.

100' is not that much.

I've long lined in san diego bay (drifting an entire spool out with a fishtrap type bait) and THAT is some serious reeling.

Just wanted to be sure.

Thanks.

MolBasser

The reason for the 120' rule is that 120' + depths are covered by the feds and they have a moratorium on RCG in there waters.

At least I think that is why  

Works fine for me.

You can do almost anything at 100'.  It really opens up the variety of baits.  I can work 3/4oz baits at 100' if the current isn't ripping.  In fact, after carefully considering several posts, I am putting spectra on my inshore rod to help with working light baits.

MolBasser

I think the state/federal boundary is defined in terms of distance from shore, not depth.  Otherwise racoon straight would be federal waters!  Deep rockfish is simply closed so they don't die of barotrauma.

Like I said, it's no big deal.  You'd have to paddle over miles of perfectly good fishing to get out that far.  That rule mainly affects some offshore seamounts, and deeper reefs that are mostly out of our range anyway.  Vermillion rockfish are the largest we can regularly nab, and they bite well in 45-60ft.  Deeper I seem to catch more lings, but fewer rockfish.

Fishing to 120 offers plenty of good opportunites, without as much work.
But once again, with regards to the size of your jig, it all depends on the current, wind, etc.