2024 Groundfish Regulation Change Summary (Approved on 3/26/2024)

Thank you Paul, the information you gave is great, I'll have to digest it. This will be new for me as last year we just fished off a boat. looking forward to a kayak adventure. I'll review the past post and look for the GPS points, I may have some questions to post, thanks again for your work on this, R.

Hi Ron

We should chase some rockfish and halibut together, this season.

Paul

I picked up one of these descenders from Amazon. Makes it easy to release them at the right depths. Just set the depth you want them to be released at and then drop it down.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DMKCF76/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

I picked up one of these descenders from Amazon. Makes it easy to release them at the right depths. Just set the depth you want them to be released at and then drop it down.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DMKCF76/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Dang that’s nice.  I have one of those grippers.  Mod life?  I wonder if there are any government funds to subsidize that purchase.

I picked up one of these descenders from Amazon. Makes it easy to release them at the right depths. Just set the depth you want them to be released at and then drop it down.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DMKCF76/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Dang that’s nice.  I have one of those grippers.  Mod life?  I wonder if there are any government funds to subsidize that purchase.

Hi Eddie

I know that CDFW distributed descenders for free previously, and I discussed with CDFW staff to get some for our group, but they stated that they don't have any funding for the program.
Hopefully, we can get some later.

Paul

I really like this design, although you have to BIY: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/recompression/docs/FishGrip_HowToMake.pdf
(Thanks to 3$j in: https://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=89347.30)


The videos on its usage just looks like what i'm imagining doing on my kayak:




I have some thin poly-rope and I want to mount it on a spindle or some way I can just clip the rockfish and then descend it by dropping overboard

Thanks Al!  I love it, especially the weight.  My hesitation is mandatorily adding up to 32oz of lead to my platform for an unverified life expectancy of said released species.   

I think I'm gonna make device - I have some fairly heavy duty stainless wire just looking for a purpose.  I found this one recently, seems like a good evolution of the Shelton device:

https://www.amazon.com/SeaQualizer-SeaYaLater-Descending-Device/dp/B0CFVXM47Z

I might try to emulate this, but if I feel I can't get the angle/slide right, I will probably just make something similar to the Shelton. 

Thanks Al!  I love it, especially the weight.  My hesitation is mandatorily adding up to 32oz of lead to my platform for an unverified life expectancy of said released species.   

Carrying around extra gear is gonna be a pain.  Especially getting a couple extra pounds to the bottom and back quickly and with minimal hassle.  I hate clutter on my kayak, especially in the ocean. 

I have a pretty stiff Ugly Stik that will see fish release duty.  Currently has a round baitcast reel on it, might get upgraded to a conventional reel if I can find a cheap lefty model. 

Thanks Al!  I love it, especially the weight.  My hesitation is mandatorily adding up to 32oz of lead to my platform for an unverified life expectancy of said released species.   

What do you mean by unverified?  There is plenty of science to back up the survival rates.

-Allen

Thanks Al!  I love it, especially the weight.  My hesitation is mandatorily adding up to 32oz of lead to my platform for an unverified life expectancy of said released species.   

I've descended even a 20"+ Yellow Eye on 10oz. It took a bit to get him started but once they go down about 10 feet they seem to be able to keep going. That was in only about 60' of water though, so maybe that helped. I think Coppers and maybe Quillbacks go down easier. I plan on having only 12 oz on my Shelton and if that doesn't work then I could add another 10. I cannot see 32oz ever being needed. Maybe for a huge YE in 50 fathom plus? 50 fathom plus is where the survival of barotrauma seems suspect anyway.

Ya agree about the clutter on the kayak for sure
Im going to use a heavy Duty 2ft old fishing rod n reel and a 12oz weight. I can usually get the fish to go back down on its own so its not going to be that bad. Plus I do believe if the fish is in fair shape these will help with survival rates.

Fellas. If you really care about the well-being of a big YE or other rockfish you want to release, please pack the extra lead. I know that packing extra lead is a PITA, but you'll get used to it. It really sucks when you're trying to descend a big old rockfish and you don't have enough lead with you to do it.

I'm speaking from experience. Pulling up YEs from 100 ft. I learned this lesson the hard way, and I felt real shitty about it. Bring five pounds, and you won't have to worry about floaters. Do it for the fish, and for your fishery. If not, these nearshore rockfish seasons could be taken away again due to noncompliance with the regulations.

Fellas. If you really care about the well-being of a big YE or other rockfish you want to release, please pack the extra lead. I know that packing extra lead is a PITA, but you'll get used to it. It really sucks when you're trying to descend a big old rockfish and you don't have enough lead with you to do it.

I'm speaking from experience. Pulling up YEs from 100 ft. I learned this lesson the hard way, and I felt real shitty about it. Bring five pounds, and you won't have to worry about floaters. Do it for the fish, and for your fishery. If not, these nearshore rockfish seasons could be taken away again due to noncompliance with the regulations.

+1000

-Allen

I'm gonna carry plenty of lead, just gonna gripe about it, haha. 

Alrighty then…5lbs. It is…

Anyone who surf launches needs to take caution when carrying 5lb balls.