Black Sea Bass!!! (non kayak)

Pat and I were down in San Diego for the weekend without kayaks when the "itch" hit.  We didn't have kayaks, or tackle, or licenses with us, so Pat checked with her brother who clued us that the Yellowtail had been running out at the Coronado Islands.  Sounded good, so  I reserved a couple of spots on a party boat out of Point Loma for Yesterday.

We rented tackle and boarded the boat for a 3 hour ride out to (actually past) the Coronados.  Soaked greenbacks for an hour or so for not much, so the Captain decided to head back to the Islands.  An hour later, we're fishing again.  A couple of Yellowtail and some Bonito found their way into the burlap sacks, but I'm getting nothing, so I decided to tie on a Dorado-colored Salas jig and yo-yo off the bottom. 

About 20 minutes into this, I dropped the jig to the rocks in about 80 feet of water one more time and started ripping it back up and WHUMP, and  I'm wondering what happened.    It felt like I'd caught the bottom, but I was nine cranks up, so that can't be it.  I didn't have long to think about it, though, because as I'm heaving back on the rod, the line starts ripping off that antique, rental Jig Master.  FISH ON! 

The fish takes me up and down the deck three times before I finally get him near the boat.  Finally, just as he comes to color, I hear one of the deckhands yell "Black Sea Bass!" two gaffs drop and 5 seconds later, the fish is on the deck.  I'm in shock, because I'm thinking what one of the other anglers verbalize:  "Black Sea Bass is illegal!"  But, instant relief when the deckhand reminds us "No, man - this is Mexico!"

Someone with a 50 lb. scale broke it trying to weigh the fish on the boat, and I wouldn't let the crew clean it till we got back to port so I could put it on a certified scale.  Came in at 60.6 pounds.  Not big as BSB go, but as I doubt I'll ever catch another "keeper" it's a lifetime fish as far as I'm concerned.   

I ended the day with one more fish, a bonito, and Pat kept a nice Yellowtail.  The freezer is looking pretty cramped at the moment!

We didn't have a camera with us, so the first pic below was taken with a cell phone and emailed to me.  The second was taken back at the landing by a guy who swore he didn't really drink all 14 of the beers he was charged for!   

Wow   WTG, Randy!

That is a huge fish!   Now, no more bad talk about jigmasters, hear?

Allen

Wow   WTG, Randy!

That is a huge fish!   Now, no more bad talk about jigmasters, hear?

Allen

Bad talk?  No way.  Jigmasters are my new favorite reel.  In fact, I think I'll just mosey over to Ebay right now...


Randy

It's amazing that Mexico would not even protect their black seabass population. The tourist dollars are good, but if their fishery collapses as we are hearing right now, the tourists will not come in the future.
Nice fish by the way.

Nice catch!  As Randy story pointed out, the deck hands will often gaff your fish before you can say no.

-Brian G

Leony -

 I was surprised as well.  I checked the regs when I got back and found that the bag limit in Mexico is 10 fish per day, of which not more than five may be of a single species EXCEPT no more than 2 Dorado or 1 billfish may be taken.  Also, the 2 Dorado count the same as 5 of another species, as does the 1 billfish.  So, a limit might look like:

5 Yellowtail and 5 Bonito or
5 Bonito and 5 Ocean Whitefish or
1 Marlin and 3 Bonito and 2 Yellowtail or
1 Marlin and 2 Dorado

So it seems the Mexican Government is serious about protecting their fishery.  Perhaps BSB have no limit beyond the 5 of a single species because they're not considered endangered there?  Perhaps because they're warm water fish and more numerous in Mexican waters?

Yesterday is the first time I've fished in Mexico.  There are some Baja veterans on the list who may be able to add to our understanding.

Randy

 I was starting to get worried about you guys. Should've known better. I think everyone, willing to do what you have to do to get out to them, should get to take one. I love that area  your talking about and used to catch WSB there. Congrats and way to put the trip to good use. Randall  PS I'd say 12 beers is about right!

Nice...Very Nice...

Just imagine trying to land one of those monsters on a kayak

Fish taco's for months!

When is the BBQ? 

Nice "Fish-of-a-lifetime" Randy  I recall someone (in one of the local party boats) catching the same 60 pounder in the Bay (it was released).

Nice fish!

I have a buddy that caught a 12#er in the San Diego Bay on his float tube!

Black seabass are rebounding nicely, I don't think taking one is that big of a deal.

MolBasser

Sweeeet!

 Randy, That had to be good for the Jackpot. If so that even helped take the sting out of the cost. You gotta love it when a plan comes together. Randall

wow! i loved the coronado islands when i went with a few people on a 17 ft whaler. we did spearfishing at pukey point and in the middle grounds. also hit some sandy spots for halibut.

as far as i know the only fish i have heard of that is protected is the totoaba. it looks like a wsb with an orange mouth.

i saw black seabass at the 5 minute kelp beds by the coronados and they were massive. i didnt have the right gear to spear one but i think i would have taken one had i had the right setup. they were real easy to approach too. they were BIG.

john

Very nice fish, Randy. I don't think you need to be concerend.

I think the Mexican Government has given significant thought about the conservation of the fishery--I've seen a few documentarys on the people involved in the sea of Cortez for instance. It is a delicate balance between supporting a tourism industry for poor fisherman and others there versus protecting the fishery and habitat. I have the impression they are scientific and rigorous in their management and I am not worried theylet the fishery collapse. Enjoy it.

I have the impression they are scientific and rigorous in their management and I am not worried theylet the fishery collapse. Enjoy it.

I have the impression that there is a serious lack of enforcement, but we digress.

Nice catch Randy!!

-Allen