Fish Descender

They should definitely define what is "immediate" IMHO.

I agree with Pat that it should be enforced in the >50fa seasons.  However also, I believe that immediate use is to be used immediatly, and that means that I stop what i'm doing and use it.  Doesn't specifically mean that I have to have it rigged, but as Alex said it's going to be debatable on the in possession vs immediate use definition.  I've not been rockfishing yet this year, so I've not had one rigged for use, but it's there in my box ready to be used. But when I do, i'll have it rigged on a handline ready to be used.

Yes. It almost seems as officer discretion. Definitely want to speak to senior dfw officer here in Monterey bay. Met him before but forgot to get his card. I knew the previous main officer who has now retired. I know I am butchering his last name. Puchanelli?  Very nice guy. Always responded to my questions.

This seems like an enforcement nightmare, as I suspected it would.  The law is vague to allow officer interpretation, and leeway in the court if it comes to it. 

I'd much rather a black and white law. Have a specific device, rigged a certain way, used in a certain manner, and stored in a certain state so as to be 100% clear it meets the requirement. Anything else just turns into a shit show and uncertainty.

For the record, I also do not keep it rigged on a pole. I carry two poles all the time, but usually rigged with different baits/lures. Just a snap swivel away from rigging my descending device, and I keep it on deck and ready. 

I have not been checked yet - only been out for rockfish twice this season.

Thanks for the info. I always bring a second rod. I'll clip a descender on it before I head out.

Al

Hope to see ya this year, Al. I have a site at Doran for the crab opener. Hopefully opens on schedule. 

my descender is quick connect, and I have it pre-set to release the the proper depth, it sits in the pocket of my life preserver, and I get it on the line and fish in about 15 seconds then back to the bottom of the deep blue.  I don't plan to pre-rig anything, and, honestly, I can more quickly attach this to my existing line, than I can turn around, grab a new rod...

good info tho' thanks for sharing, and good conversation.

If they did, I would respond that it would not be safe in a kayak.  Since I have already attached the weight, I could argue that it is ready for immediate use.

This seems like an enforcement nightmare

Exactly, Paul.  No good fisherman or kayaker is going to have either lead swinging around or lead attached to an extended line stored on deck or in the tank well - talk about a hazard!  This issue reminds me of how both the CDFW and the USCG have checked me on the ocean or the bay in the past, and I've had to explain to them that their 10 to 15 minute license and tackle check is going to take me way off course based on wind and current (tide in the bay).  They would say things like "oh, we never thought of that".  I tell them that we're not just floating around the ocean and heading back to port from wherever we end up.  Rather, I tell them, we are specifically planning and working to counteract the wind and current at all times.  The agencies have some things to learn about kayaks and other non-motorized vessels on the oceans and bays.

I have my descender rigged to a 2# ball in my box, and I can get it on a rod very quickly - just like I do with a new pre-rigged trolling setup.

Let's all keep trying to educate the powers that be on this.

I bring an extra rod with a Shelton Descender rigged inline above my dropper-loop rig. I’ll bring a 1lb cannonball or a huge swimbait and have it stashed in the side-pocket ready to attach & descend. Been doing this for about 15 years, still using the same descenders. After buying 100 to hand out at the not-tournament I sorta organized in Big Sur.