Fort Point 9/2/09

Got in the water around 10:30 am - sunny, calm and clear water. Made a few short drifts in front of the pier with no luck so I moved out under the Gate. I was offering frozen anchovy as bait, trying to keep the thing moving in the right direction to give them some life. Folks were catching some sardines off the pier (i think, a little far to see), but my fly rig was not exciting any of them into my bait tube. A couple was hand lining for perch right under the Gate with single, weighted flys. If you are into perch, they were killing it, putting those little suckers into a large bait tank to keep 'em live - i believe for human consumption. They must have caught 100 of them in the hour or so i watched from my yack. I drifted around the rocks at the South Gate and got a few exciting snags that turned out to be just snags. It was difficult to get set back up with the heavy serge, a lot of paddling. As the tide slacked, I went outside the Gate about 1/2 mile where I saw a boater getting some good drifts in over sand. I saw them land something that looked like a small croaker, but I couldn't tell for sure. I used the energy i had left to get back into the bay and called it around 2 pm. Even though the day was fowled by my skunk, it was nice to get some sun and not have to deal with the cold.

They must have caught 100 of them in the hour or so i watched from my yack.

Why didn't you cal CalTip--Perch have a limit. I'll bet they plan on selling them--that's commercial fishing. And taking over the limit or out o season--that's poaching. It's stuff like that that causes all to be tainted with the same brush--not you, them.

they looked to be commercial like ...

they looked to be commercial like ..

Still call for a few reasons: 1) it should be checked, 2) it will keep wardens employed and we need them, and 3) any fines help the budget challenges. No reason to make the judgment yourself or get involved--let DFG handle it. It they are legit, they are legit.

BTW, I've been checked twice at San Luis--I catch so many somedays that someone must have thought I might be keeping them I guess--might be hard to see the release from a distance. I thank the wardens for checking and tell them I appreciate the tough job they have and what they are doing. Yes, I know some wardens are a pain, but, just like cops and firemen--most are not and truly care about what they are doing.

I guess it just didn't cross my mind that someone would poach perch with such an elaborate setup. Seems to be a lot of security around the bridge, cameras and people everywhere, not a place I would think to break the law - but they could have been doing wrong. You're right, I agree that as fishermen we should work together to preserve our resources.  I'll work on my suspicious eye.

Seems to be a lot of security around the bridge, cameras and people everywhere, not a place I would think to break the law

You'd be surprised just how bold some are. In addition, there are new arrivals who come from places where there are no limits or protection (which ironically is why they came here as their fisheries are collapsing due to over fishing) and have no idea we have them here (or will try a con on DFG about that anyway). Just a few people taking a boat load of Perch might seem small, but you don't know how often they do that nor should you worry. that's what the regs are for--they are calculated to manage the fishery and Cal does it well. Let the regs work--help them work. No harm, no foul--if they are proper they'll be fine.

You seem dedicated, interested and willing to be a part of the solution. I think you would be good at it. I know DFG could use more guys like you ... and they're hiring! http://www.dfg.ca.gov/jobs/vacancies/

Good detailed report, itsonice. Hope you get a nice butt or one of those seabass they been getting outside the Gate next time.

You seem dedicated, interested and willing to be a part of the solution. I think you would be good at it.

Yeah, I am passionate about fishing and our fisheries. Pardon my boldness, but I think we all need to be or we'll lose our access to them and eventually them as well. The MLPA zones are an example of the trend against recreational fishing. Every time some poacher acts and succeeds, those advocating the elimination of fishing gain another talking point and example of just how wanton and greedy we fishers are and why we need to be stopped. If we do nothing then we are aiding our enemy by giving them ammunition against us. This is a major battle and we fishers are, for now, losing. As for employment, I don't think they'll be hiring many people my age and I have a day job that provides for my family quite well (usually--start my next contract on the 14th).

"Price of freedom is enternal vigilance" --Alexander Pope (I think).

Wardens can't be everywhere--it is up to us to help or we risking losing our privilege to fish in the aftermath. I know it's tempting to think it's someone else's problem to deal with, but apathy never solved a problem and never will.

Oh and BTW, they aren't hiring many, no wardens, and not around here: http://jobs.spb.ca.gov/wvpos/search_p.cfm?dept=FISH%20AND%20GAME,%20DEPARTMENT%20OF&sort=title1,%20releasedate%20desc&CFID=6002661&CFTOKEN=28346157

Maybe dropping a dime on any activity you see that might be illegal is an inexpensive way to do your part? Just think about it even if you decide I am wrong. Please just consider it.

Sounds like you had a nice day OTW.  Thank you for the report.

Yea, and nice report and thanks for posting. Sorry, I apologize. I get a little worked up over poaching because we are taking their heat from the environmentalists--one of them does more damage than 100 of us.

around mcavoys harbor we take matters into are own hands when it comes to poachers! no lie

Surfing Marmot comes back to the board with a loaded cannon!  WTG!   

Nice report, ICEMAN.  Good luck out there, and we'll all assume you were in possession of your license this time out.   

  Thanks for the great detailed report, and pictures to share?  Taking on the surge at the Golden gate take some muy grande huevos, you pass the test to have my back when the fighting starts! 

Taking on the surge at the Golden gate take some muy grande huevos,

He does indeed though I need to mention there is a big eddy along the shore there that will save you if you ever get caught being pulled out. It has saved many a tired sea kayaker from an even longer paddle back in. Furthermore, if you play it right you'll be in the middle of the eddy casting into the moving water where the action is.