Poking Around for Monkeyface Eels

February 26, 2009

Question: I was just reviewing the state hook and line sport fishing records for California nearshore fishes and discovered that I have caught several monkeyface eels and grass rockfish in excess of the records listed. I caught these while poke poling though and wonder if you can tell me if it is an acceptable fishing method to qualify? If not, where can I find the guidelines so I can get my name into the annals of history?

Also, have there been any studies to suggest that eating them is unsafe? My girlfriend looks at me like I’m insane when I bring them home for dinner, but even she has to admit I have perfected various methods of cooking them, (including a kickin’ eel gumbo!). I would love to find out if these slimy bottom-dwellers are a high-risk type of fish to be eating once a month. (Jason S.)

Answer: Despite their eel-like appearance and little simian-looking face, monkeyface eels (or monkeyface pricklebacks) are not in the eel family. They occupy crevices, secluded holes and rocky pool areas between the high and low tide lines along rocky areas of the coast. A monkeyface prickleback caught by poke-poling would be eligible for the state sport record. The procedures for submitting your catch for record consideration can be found on the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pdfs/anglingprocedures.pdf.

By the way, poke poling is a legitimate method of fishing with a long history in California. Poke polers typically rig up a long bamboo pole with a short wire leader and attach a small hook on the end. Bait usually consists of shrimp, squid, mussels, clams, marine worms or fish. Then, by just poking the offering into crevices or cracks in the rocks or tide pools, especially at low tide, the poke poler waits for the fish to bite.

Like other fish species (e.g. lingcod, cabezon, greenlings, rockfish) that live in these rocky reefs, monkeyface pricklebacks tend to lurk and ambush interesting dinner possibilities that come their way. And it doesn’t take much for bait waved under their noses to trigger a pounce for the offered snack. Once the monkeyface grabs the baited hook, the poke poler lifts it out of its secluded hole, slips it into a bucket, goody bag or onto a stinger, and keeps on poking about for another bite from within the dark holes and pools of the rocky seashore.

To my knowledge, no one has looked at the levels of contamination in this species. I would advise you to follow the general sport fish consumption guidelines found in the back of the sport fishing regulations booklet or check the Web site of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment at www.oehha.ca.gov/fish.html for their recommendations.

Caught some fish poke poling yesterday including a monkeyface prickleback.

I heard a rumor that you don't need a license to poke pole. I'm guessing it is confusion with not needing a license on jetties where one might do the poke poling.