Monterey Bay Kelp Beds 10/06

Fished the kelp beds in Monterey this past Sunday. Caught couple nice grass rockfish jigging a 2oz. Point Wilson dart. Saw a bunch of Otters and Sea lions. Great weather, great day.

Nice work man! Did you add or make that feathered hook? Great idea if so.

Probably saw you out there on Sunday.  My husband and I were fishing off the Aquarium most of the morning.  We also caught some decent size rock fish.  The weather and the swell couldn't have been better.

Nice work man! Did you add or make that feathered hook? Great idea if so.

nice feather teaser, congrats

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Well done. Nice photo too!

NotaSeal

I figured that area was off limits over there behind the aquarium. No Sanctuary there???   Where do launch at??...... with minimal tourists!!!

Eric

From the two yellow cans to Lovers Point is off limits. You can fish for fin fish all along the kelp beds off Cannery Row. You can also fish past Lovers Point. Heard there are some good ling that direction.

Saw a couple guys fishing past the cans. Was wondering if it was ok from kayaks, but everything I found says no. Not sure how often F&G make stops there.

We've been launching at MBK but we tried out San Carlos Beach on Sunday. Great place to launch if the swell isn't too high. You can also launch from the Marina there.

Thanks all! I switched out the treble hook and added a split ring and a Cabela's Deceiver fly. I launched from Monterey Bay Kayak Del Monte Beach. I like the tourists, sea life and other fisherman.  I'm sure there are more secluded areas, but I rent the kayak and have to stay within set boundaries. The sanctuary starts from the Aquarium and beyond. So anywhere from the pier to the Aquarium is fine for fishing. I'll try fishing closer to the Aquarium next time.

Here's a link to the Monterey peninsula reserves (via the MLPA).
Red = no fishing. Blue = recreational hook & line fishing is allowed.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pdfs/mpamaps/montereypeninsula.pdf

Thx Sin coast n Cookb17. Can't wait to get my own kayak so I can fish farther side of lover's point.

Nice job!!

Those are Kelp Rockfish, not grassys though...grassy's have stockier heads and fleshier pectoral fins.

You can see examples of kelpies here:

http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/speciesleaders/list_by_species/14

And grassys here:

http://doty.norcalkayakanglers.com/speciesleaders/list_by_species/13

When in doubt look at the first arch of the gill rakers..if long and thin, they are kelpies and if short and stubby they are grassys...

Thanks for the report and look forward to more in the future!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Really BigJim... I was just joking to my friend yesterday that you need to be a marine biologist to be able to tell the difference. Thx for the correction. I have a lot to learn. I also mistaken-ed a black and yellow for a china cod.

Really BigJim... I was just joking to my friend yesterday that you need to be a marine biologist to be able to tell the difference. Thx for the correction. I have a lot to learn. I also mistaken-ed a black and yellow for a china cod.

LOL. I hear ya...it can be really confusing....that's one of the reasons I really enjoy participating in DOTY, it has really helped out with my fish ID skills between kelpy/grassy, blue/black, black and yellow/gopher/china etc...

Next time you pull one up, check the rakers...it is a real obvious difference....

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Is there someplace local that we can puchase the chart you snapped a photo of?  The little rule book doesn't work on the water and doesn't really show realistic photos.

Is there someplace local that we can puchase the chart you snapped a photo of?  The little rule book doesn't work on the water and doesn't really show realistic photos.

Hhhmmm....not sure. One of our members works for DFG and has come to several events and given away these wall posters and smaller laminated charts as well....lemme look around and see if I can find where you can get them.

 

Sincerely,

Jim