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Topic: What live fish can I use for bait in the ocean?  (Read 1877 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Dawson308

  • Guest
Are there any restrictions on what species of fish I can use for live bait in the ocean?  For example: If I catch a small greenling or rockfish can I use it for bait?  I have had people tell me this is illegal but I looked in the regs and all I could find under live bait restrictions is that talipia may not be used for bait in ocean waters.
             Thanks,
                         Travis


ChuckE

  • Global Moderator
  • Location: San Leandro, CA
  • Date Registered: Dec 2004
  • Posts: 4434
Somebody... please correct me if I'm wrong.... but as long as you're within your legal size and bag limits for the type of rockfish you're catching and using as bait then you should be okay.

For example, as long as the greenlings you're using are over the 12" minimum and you have no more than a total of 10 rockfish on your boat, you should be good.

Some guys might frown on you using baby rockfish as bait, but to each his own.  I do know that if you send a small rockfish down as bait, you're likely to catch a big ling.  I've seen it many times.
Winner - 2023 ARW Halibut Derby "King of the Wall"
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2nd Place - 2012 Alameda Rockwall Halibut Derby
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polepole

  • Administrator
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  • Kayak Fishing Magazine
  • Location: San Jose, CA
  • Date Registered: Dec 2004
  • Posts: 13201
I think Chuck is correct.  I believe if you use it as bait, it does count against your limit.  Sandabs also have their place as bait.

-Allen


Dawson308

  • Guest
AH, thanks guys!  Im acctually gunna be fishin from shore this weekend and I would like to try to catch some large rockfish or cabezon.  I sure hope I dont hook a big ling though.  :smt003   Usually I catch a lot of small crap and want to go big, so I was thinkin of goin with a bigazz hook and a whole squid or small live fish.    
           Travis


 

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