2009 rockfish opener

I'm in for the rf opener at Shelter Cove! We should aim to start on the Friday tho', since it will probably be closed by the Sunday.

ironically hilarious - hopefully not true!   

Jeff, it sounds like some people will make the trek to The Cove for the May 15 opener. But it probably isn't the best place to hit the salt for the first time (I can't remember if you fished the salt last year). In which case, you should consider fishing the relatively-safer waters of Monterey Bay before charging The Cove. The season opens on May 1 down here so you'd have 15 days to practice surf launching/landing, etc.

BTW--the rockfish seasons are all over the map this year.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/bfregs2009.asp

-North region is open May 15--Sept 15
-North-Central region is open May 15--Aug 15 (WTF?!)
-Pt Arena region is open June 13--Oct 31 (double WTFx2)
-South-Central regions are open May 1--Nov 15
-Southern region is open May 1--Dec 31

We're as definite as it's possible to be in the current climate.

May 15; Shelter Cove!

Jeff, it sounds like some people will make the trek to The Cove for the May 15 opener. But it probably isn't the best place to hit the salt for the first time (I can't remember if you fished the salt last year). In which case, you should consider fishing the relatively-safer waters of Monterey Bay before charging The Cove. The season opens on May 1 down here so you'd have 15 days to practice surf launching/landing, etc.

BTW--the rockfish seasons are all over the map this year.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/bfregs2009.asp

-North region is open May 15--Sept 15
-North-Central region is open May 15--Aug 15 (WTF?!)
-Pt Arena region is open June 13--Oct 31 (double WTFx2)
-South-Central regions are open May 1--Nov 15
-Southern region is open May 1--Dec 31

PK's no doubt giving good information and advice here.  I'm bummed though - I thought I read in the regs that the north was open on May 1...?  Anyway, if it's open 5/15 then I'm in.  Can't wait.   

I guess when I Googled "DFG Regulations" and drilled into "2008-2009 Ocean Sportfishing Regulations" I thought I was getting good info...  wrong!   

So can someone please give me the link to the real current regulations?   

So can someone please give me the link to the real current regulations?   

One stop shopping for all your California ocean sportfishing regulations

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/fishing_map.asp

Here's what you need: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/bfregs2009.asp
Rockfish Season Trifecta?
May 1 Big Sur
May 15 The Cove
June 13 Bean
It c/b like a tourney circuit....virtual MBF or something.

well its a long drive but my wife and I are going to fish Santa barbara for the opener on march 1st and maybe try our luck hoop netting lobsters before the season closes lucky for us my inlaws live down there so we will have a nice place to sleep and somewhere to clean fish

Thanks for the info.  What a crock these seasons have become...

I plan to be at the fort April 1st for diving and Shelter Cove for May 15th. What I lack in diving/fishing ability I make up for with outrageous fireside stories/claims.

I'm starting a Gimme Shelter III hookup - this is getting serious!   

One stop shopping for all your California ocean sportfishing regulations

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/fishing_map.asp

That is actually very helpful and straightforward.

Here's what you need: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/bfregs2009.asp
Rockfish Season Trifecta?
May 1 Big Sur
May 15 The Cove
June 13 Bean
It c/b like a tourney circuit....virtual MBF or something.

lets start it even earlier and make a trip to So cal...
March 1st for rockfish and April 1 for the lings

I have to check the calendar

Any one down for a Big Sur trip May 1st. Limekiln will be out of the question still. So we will have to launch somewhere else.