Canary Rockfish

Do you guys catch canary rockfish nearshore much? I understand they are protected, and even though I release most rockies, I want to be sure I know what I am catching. I often get reddish colored rockfish (definitely not vermillions)...could they be coppers or canaries?
 Thanks,
 Andrew

We definitely run into canaries occasionally.  We also got into a spot of yellow eyes at Stillwater this year.  There are lots of good pics on the site of the various species.

There were 2 caught last weekend at Fort Ross from 70-80 feet of water.  One by me and one off Kiel's kayak ... within minutes of each other.  There must have been a small concentration of them at that spot.

-Allen

There were a couple caught at Elk as well,  check out the pix from the tourney

Jim

I caught one at elk and I was surprised how different it looked from a vermillion.  After seeing one it is very easy to tell apart.  I would recommend printing out the flier from the dfg website and laminating it. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/canary_id.pdf  I like having it for piece of mind and also in case you get checked by a law enforcement person who is not familiar with he distinguishing characteristics[/quote]

Here's a canary that I caught and released at Still Water North - I was at about 60 to 70 ft. if I remember correctly....


here's a yellow eye - caught and released in the same area


this one: starry or a rosy?????

Joel,

I was a bit skeptical at first that you would catch a starry rockfish within the depth regulations but I see that you were smart enough to put your depth finder in the photo as well.   Of course you could have always paddled into 113 ft of water to take the picture.  

Either way, I'm jealous.  The yellow eye and starry are two fish I don't have on my life list yet.

Brian

yep - I was pretty close to 120. Unfortunately the starry was attacked by a seagull as soon as I released it    (I'm sure it still would have never made it back with the eyes popping out of the socket) The funny thing is that there was a party boat that was "parked" clearly past the 120 mark....I'm pretty sure they were rockfishing.

I too release most of my small rockfish, but not if I think I've broken them.  Just curious why you realeased the starry, Joel?  
I had a HOT LING spot that was like 112 feet........... While reeling them in I kept drifting further down the wall.  I figured I was best off to just not work that area.........
Pat

Just curious why you realeased the starry, Joel?

I was not sure at the time if it was legal to keep    It was small anyway. At least the sea gull got a free meal. ...the circle of life  

Yep, Joel.  I know that feeling............