What is this flat fish>????

Hit up SC, Capitola, MBK, and Moss looking for butts this past weekend caught a few of these guys.  What species you think???
Eric

looks like a sand sole, first few dorsal rays are free

Looks like a member of the Soleidae family to me. 

I caught one in SC a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was a big sand dab....

looks like good eating to me

lingcod bait

Thanks for input.

I released them all, but better safe than sorry. but would of loved at least one to try!!!!dammit

Its all good

Eric

looks like a sand sole, first few dorsal rays are free

+1.  Those first few "free" dorsal fin rays are the telltale of a sand sole, coupled with the relatively straight lateral line that nixes it from being a halibut.

And matanaska is right, they're great eating!

And matanaska is right, they're great eating!
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Dammit x2!

I believe that for flatfish, you're okay to keep them as long as they aren't halibut.  Halibuts have size limits and are identified by the defined arch in the lateral line near the pec fin.  All other flatfish are good to go with no size limitations.

If I'm wrong, someone please clarify, but reviewing the regs again... seems right, right?

nice choice fish! should of kept them/great eating fish. But i understand no flat fish is worth the fine

Pacific ha

I believe that for flatfish, you're okay to keep them as long as they aren't halibut.  Halibuts have size limits and are identified by the defined arch in the lateral line near the pec fin.  All other flatfish are good to go with no size limitations.

If I'm wrong, someone please clarify, but reviewing the regs again... seems right, right?

Pacific halibut have no minimum or maximum length to take, but only 1 per limit.  Also the season is May till October 31st and for 2014 its closed in August.

There are some flatfish that are managed under the federal groundfish laws and have depth restrictions as well as bag restrictions, but most of the time your good to keep most flatfish.

nice choice fish! should of kept them/great eating fish. But i understand no flat fish is worth the fine

I know I would have thrown that overboard. Afraid to take the chance.

Those little feelers by its head (front of dorsal fin) mean it's a sole. Which means you can keep & eat it..and they're hella tasty.
Can't keep petrale sole unless it's rockfish season but that is probably a sand sole.
Or lingcod bait for a 30lber! hahaha

Those little feelers by its head (front of dorsal fin) mean it's a sole. Which means you can keep & eat it..and they're hella tasty.
Can't keep petrale sole unless it's rockfish season but that is probably a sand sole.
Or lingcod bait for a 30lber! hahaha

Not sure there are 30lb Ling in SCH!!!!!! Some one prove me wrong, maybe up the north coast!!!! =) 

Thanks for all the info so now I know dammit! haha! I didnt' even see the Feelers till looking at the picture, I snapped a pic and realesed it in a matter of seconds!