Wednesday, April 11, 2018

So who likes good news? First, this:
Recreational Canary Rockfish Bag Limit Increases Effective April 14

rockfish
Canary Rockfish 
photo by V. Okimura, courtesy WDFW
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announces a statewide increase to the recreational canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) daily limit within the Rockfish, Cabezon and Greenling (RCG) bag limit. The sub-bag limit for canary rockfish will increase from one fish to two fish within the RCG daily bag limit of 10 fish, effective Saturday, April 14, 2018.
Limited retention of canary rockfish in California's recreational fishery began last year as a result of the stock being declared rebuilt. Because retention of canary rockfish had been prohibited in recreational fisheries off California for more than a decade, a one fish daily sub-bag limit was implemented as a matter of precaution. Catches were monitored weekly to ensure harvest limits were not exceeded.
"We saw great fishing in 2017 and higher than expected effort for rockfish," said CDFW Environmental Scientist Joanna Grebel. "Despite this, catches of canary rockfish under a one fish bag limit were less than predicted. We are excited to be able to offer additional fishing opportunity in 2018."
Pursuant to California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 27.20(e), CDFW has the authority to make in-season modifications to the recreational fishery, including adjustments to bag and sub-bag limits.
CDFW encourages anglers to avoid known yelloweye rockfish hotspots when pursuing canary rockfish. Yelloweye rockfish cannot be retained and stringent annual limits on yelloweye rockfish bycatch mortality remain in effect for California's recreational groundfish fishery in 2018. Bycatch mortality of yelloweye rockfish is monitored during the fishing season and modifications to regulations could be made if mortality amounts reach annual limits.
For more information regarding groundfish regulations, management, stock status information, fish identification tools, and current catch trends, please visit the CDFW Marine Region Groundfish website

Then this on salmon:
Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco) : 

June 17-October 31. Open seven days per week. All salmon except coho may be retained, two salmon per day. Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total length. See gear restrictions and definitions. 

In 2019, season opens April 6 for all salmon except coho, two salmon per day. Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length; and the same gear restrictions as in 2018 .

Other good news includes a report of a 22 pound halibut caught last Friday in the rain off of Tom's Point (The hardcore angler is supposed to be sending a photo), the Dungeness crabbing in the bay doesn't completely suck and is fair or better outside, and the surfperch bite is still pretty good. Here's a perch report:"Water cleared up after the storm..perch were chomping non stop in the evening before the tide switch..Even caught a lil flattie. Cheers! Jeff Hunter"


   The flatty in question here looks like a sand sole which would make it a keeper and darned good eating..

7 comments:

Harvest Time said...

Hey man we're trying to work! How can we stay focused on our 9 to 5's with all this good news??

rokefin said...

Amen to that Unknown! Let the party begin! As usual I am still working on the boat but will be ready by first week of May - may room for me Willy!

All Goo Gones pay homage to Abfish;)

Its a great time of year and it is only going to get better!

Browndog said...

No abs this year, just fish! All googones pay homage to justfish :)

One more said...

There was an awesome WSB bite last weekend in SF bay!!!Fingers crossed next stop is Tomallas.

ab fish said...

I think it's a good plan for the googroins to take the year off its gonna be a scratch bite at best. Now 2019 should be a year to remember!!

rokefin said...

If we have the same salmon bite as last year I'll be more than happy.

Willy Vogler said...

I'd just like to thank the all the people working together at the PFMC to give us a chance to fish.