Does rock fish have a prefered eating time?

Hi All,

I'm still a rookie when it comes to fishing in the ocean so here I have a question for the pro-fisherman.
I remember when I use to fish the delta, the best time to catch fish was early in the morning or in the evening right before sunset,  I wonder if it is the same thing for ocean fish ? does the time really matters??

~ramon~

I don't think they have a time period per-se, it is more a factor of tide and some would say moon phase. Heavy tidal flows and/or swell seem to kill a bite no matter when you fish. As BrainG and Jmairey prove you can catch RF anytime of the day. Most of us like to hit it early so we can get in as much fishing before the wind picks up (generally the later the time of the day the stronger the wind) and so we can get home and keep the WAF meter from hitting empty.  If I can get fishing and yard work done in one day I am doing pretty well WAF wise!

I have never really noticed a significant change in their habits...UNTIL this weekend at Bean Hollow.  The fishing was just plain dead until about 9:30 or so and then it started picking up.  I glanced at the tide book a while ago, and if I remember right, that was the beginning of the incoming tide.  It could have been that we just found the spot with fish, but I lean towards thinking the change in tide made the difference.

i think that the main thing that keeps rf from biting is surge and an abundance of baitfish. i do some spearfishing and have observed that when there is surge they hole up and stay put. they dont like to come out when there is surge or rough swell in shallow. if you are fishing deep in swell its generally ok still.

if there is tons of baitfish like anchovies and you fish shallow, prepare for disappointment too because a lot of times the rf will have been stuffed with anchovies unless you catch them before or long after the presence of baitfish runs.

low pressure over the ocean also seems to put them away.

when in doubt, bring a speargun and go after them if they arent biting the hooks; )

john

Of all the environmental forcing, I'd say that tide is probably the most important for rockfish, at least those rockfish we target from kayaks.

However, having also fished from jetties, I've found that rockfishing is pretty slow during the day but picks up just shortly after dark.  It seems that these rockfish (mostly black rockfish) come out from hiding at this time and start a pretty decent surface bite (btw, this is loads of fun on a fly rod or ultrlight).  I have not tried kayak fishing in the ocean at night to test whether schools of blues and blacks show this crepuscular/nocturnal feeding behavior in deeper waters.

Brian

Crepuscular?   Hah!  I learned a new word today.

-Allen

I thought that word described "old lady skin."

Allen

generally I'll have breakfast at about 6:30, lunch near noon and an early dinner if possible.  You?

 

generally I'll have breakfast at about 6:30, lunch near noon and an early dinner if possible.  You?

f'ing good one dude.   

 

Last Saturday I went to BH for some rock fish. Got there 5:45 am with extra lures, my new toy ( FF ) and frozen squids thinking early fisherman gets the fish, but for my surprise I didn't get ANY,CERO,NADA...

Ho well, I'm sure wont be the last time this happen to me, I had a good time anyways...

Eric B, I was going to invite you, but noticed you had planed to go sunday... maybe next time..

I was wondering about something similar...  How long after you catch a fish does another fish take it's place?  I imagine good holes are a premium and there's a waiting list...  and the biggest fish get that way because they have the prime real estate...  but also don't they migrate?

seems like since the migrations are yearly it could take a whole year.

but often there is more than one halibut in a hole, so this one would be hard to figure out.

I was wondering about something similar...  How long after you catch a fish does another fish take it's place?  I imagine good holes are a premium and there's a waiting list...  and the biggest fish get that way because they have the prime real estate...  but also don't they migrate?

for ling cod i have found lings replacing previous ling tenants within a year's time. something about the size, direction and exits of a hole as well as the view from the entrance is important for ling cod. they like to have a good view of passers by from what i have seen.

mark your spots!

There's no doubt in my mind that the tide has everything to do with timing the bite. Too many times I have been nailing them and then they just shut off like a tap. Also had the opposite happen. Usually when the tide is providing a good drift, the catchings' better. I also believe you show your bait to more fish when there's a good drift, and I'm sure there is more food passing by. Hense a better bite. Can't guarentee bite just because the tides moving, but I've never had a good bite when it's not moving... Rock fish are structure oriented fish that generally wait for food to pass by rather than forage and wander. Lings especially tend to ambush their prey.