GS Regulations Question

What are they? 

No seriously! 

Can I two pole until I land a rockfish or some other species?  Are there any ocean reqs we should all know about?  I will be honest I am a complete and utter newb when it comes to the big pond.

I will be crawling the Ocean Sport Fishing Reg book tonight and bringing it with me to consult, but if anyone has a quick paragraph summation that would be cool.

I really want to understand the "two pole" situation or is it just easier to just use one as to not worry about quirky regs?

If you 2 pole it, you cannot retain rockfish or other species that have a single pole regulation.

-Allen

So is it you can two pole until you retain a rockfish or is it if you are "targeting" rockfish you can not 2 pole? 

Sorry for the seemingly, and probably realistically, idiotic questions but I hate not knowing or second guessing my own interpretations considering the fines.  I would never knowingly break any reg, but jeesh if people who don't want to break rules have a hard time ensuring they are in compliance, it says a helluva lot about how the regs are written.

I think the regulations are pretty clear.  You can use as many rods and hooks as you want on the ocean, but if you catch a salmon or rockfish they have alternate gear restrictions that apply.

Questions are good. Why would you want two poles in the water if your new to the ocean? One is gonna be enough. Bring an extra in case the first one malfunctions.

I think the only species you might target at Shelter Cove that would permit two rods is California Halibut.  If you catch rockfish, lingcod, salmon or Pacific halibut while fishing two rods you will have to release the fish, and you'll be in danger of getting a ticket because those are the species that are being targeted mostly down there. 

I don't think the regs are so tough that people can generalize excuses for non-compliance - look at the answers you've already gotten so quickly here.  Just fish with one rod at a time and you'll be good.  As a matter of fact, if you want  my strategy, fish one rod with barbless hooks and you'll be able to keep whatever you catch.   

As a matter of fact, if you want  my strategy, fish one rod with barbless hooks and you'll be able to keep whatever you catch.   

Thank you everyone for the comments.  My thoughts were to toss out a dead shad near bottom depth and jig a different pole, but it sounds like that may lead to trouble so I'll just stick with one pole in the water so that I don't have to worry about releasing depending on what I catch.

Eric, in the quote above you recommend barbless.  Can you give me a quick few lines about what species require barbless for keep?

As I mentioned in the OP, I'll be going over the book tonight again after reading the comments here to make sure i have a good understanding of the applicable regs.  Thanks for the help everyone!

I think the only species you might target at Shelter Cove that would permit two rods is California Halibut.  If you catch rockfish, lingcod, salmon or Pacific halibut while fishing two rods you will have to release the fish, and you'll be in danger of getting a ticket because those are the species that are being targeted mostly down there. 

Umm ... is that true for Pacific Halibut?  Where in the regs?

-Allen

As a matter of fact, if you want  my strategy, fish one rod with barbless hooks and you'll be able to keep whatever you catch.   

Thank you everyone for the comments.  My thoughts were to toss out a dead shad near bottom depth and jig a different pole, but it sounds like that may lead to trouble so I'll just stick with one pole in the water so that I don't have to worry about releasing depending on what I catch.

Eric, in the quote above you recommend barbless.  Can you give me a quick few lines about what species require barbless for keep?

As I mentioned in the OP, I'll be going over the book tonight again after reading the comments here to make sure i have a good understanding of the applicable regs.  Thanks for the help everyone!

Salmon is the only one I know of which required a barbless while trolling in the ocean.

I think the only species you might target at Shelter Cove that would permit two rods is California Halibut.  If you catch rockfish, lingcod, salmon or Pacific halibut while fishing two rods you will have to release the fish, and you'll be in danger of getting a ticket because those are the species that are being targeted mostly down there. 

Umm ... is that true for Pacific Halibut?  Where in the regs?

-Allen

I have to agree with Allen. While they 'might' be federal groundfish managed, I can't find anywhere in the regs that say one rod for them.  Its a polepole situation.

-Brian G

I admit I'm not sure about Pacific Halibut, but fishing that deep with lots of weight with two rods from a yak would be unadvisable.

The barbless are for the salmon - it's the least common denominator, and it's most anglers' prize target, so don't blow your chance of keeping one by having barbed hooks down there!

Rockfish & lingcod = 1 rod w/2 hooks max. And max depth of 120ft.
Salmon = 1 rod w/barbless hooks. They must be barbless circle hooks if mooching/drifting with bait (non-trolling).

Other stuff to consider:
If you catch a RF/ling or salmon while using 2 rods, it must be released and it doesn't count for the tourney.
If you keep a RF/ling, you can only target salmon [or anything else] in water shallower than 120ft.
If you keep a salmon, you can only target RF/lings with barbless hooks (barbless circle hooks if using bait and both hooks must be within 5 inches of each other).

If I end up getting a salmon accidentally he is going free...after a quick photo op hopefully!

Is that wrong??

I really would rather spend my day fishing with my RF tackle in a way that I know how to fish...I don't own any barbless hooks, flashers, apexs, deep sixes or none of that stuff and am still not sure what mooching is!

 

May sound silly I know, but that's kinda the way I am feeling right now...

I have nothing but huge respect for the folks who target salmon and get out after them....just think for the amount of time I am gonna be hook and line fishing up there I would prefer to target the RCG and Lings?

Curious to hear what you all think...

 

Sincerely,

Jim

If you catch rockfish, lingcod, salmon or Pacific halibut while fishing two rods you will have to release the fish, and you'll be in danger of getting a ticket because those are the species that are being targeted mostly down there. 

Personally I'll take that chance. Technically your running the same risk while fishing in a river where ESA listed species are running. When fishing the ocean I often run multiple rigs. If asked what I'm fishing for my answer is "fish". I believe the regs are strict enough and am not willing to give up any rights.

assuming you bag a salmon (on the correct gear). Paddle in, drop it off, and head back out for RF.....I was thinking of moving spot to spot with Salmon gear in the water. Making sure to remove the barbed or non circle tackle from your rods when dong so.