What's up? I hope you had a good Christmas or whatever solstice holiday you're in to. The days are getting longer now! No fimbulwinter for you! Hopefully not for me, either. Dungeness continue to be caught inside the bay and out, although getting out has been hard (read: impossible) for a bit with swells over 15 feet shutting down the mouth of the bay. For the next week the forecast doesn't look much better between the swell and the wind. It looks like the rockfish will be safe for a few months. We have a few more weeks of crabbing without the use of traps, at least that many, but the commercials haven't started dropping pots en masse yet, so if the weather gives us an unpredicted break it might be worth quick run to Salmon Creek. 

    Brad Stompe sent over a report from last Thursday. My apologies for the late post but there have been a few things going on and I get easily distracted. "Hey willie,

I was fishing out of Bodega on Thursday and heard the call from Coast Guard about the capsized boat.  Good on ya for stopping and helping that poor soul out.  I'm mostly fishing the coast in my Grady 228 these days, but still have my trusty 17' Montauk that I have spent many hours in off the Sonoma and Marin coast.  Fortunately I have yet to swamp it, but I always believed that it would float a little higher above the water line than what was shown in your pictures.  I'm curious to know what size Whaler that was and do you think the hull was already water logged.

That off shore wind was a challenge for us trying to get a straight up pull on our rings and hoops, but we did manage 3 limits of decent crabs and then scooted up to Ft. Ross Reef for a couple limits of medium rockfish (no lings damn it) before heading back to beat the minus tide at the boat ramp.

I always enjoy reading your reports and depend on them as a source of information for that area.  I wish you tight lines and a safe and productive new year.

Regards,

Brad Stompe

Battled ship grey Grady 228 "Mary Frances"" It was a 13 foot Whaler with a 50hp motor. Unsinkable and unrollable are two different things. 

     So the CDFW has spoken on the decision on traps and commercial crabbing. Official statement to follow, but the bottom line is that the commercial guys get to drop traps for Dungeness starting on December 28, statewide. From Gualala south, commercials can only use half of their pots. They can regulate that by the tags that are issued to each fisherman for their pots. Half of those tags, which are normally attached to the buoys, shall be onboard the boat. Non-tagged buoys and pots may not be fished. Us sporties get to stick with hoops for a while, as we aren't allowed to use traps, yet. Maybe later. Here's the official word: "

Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program Update -  December 22, 2022

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham has assessed entanglement risk under the Risk Assessment Mitigation Program (RAMP) and continued the temporary trap restriction for the recreational crab fishery in Fishing Zones 3-6 due to elevated entanglement risk. The commercial Dungeness crab fishery will open statewide on Dec. 31, 2022. Fishing Zones 3-6 (all areas south of the Sonoma/Mendocino county Line) will open under a 50 percent trap reduction on Dec. 31, 2022 at 12:01 a.m., with a 64-hour gear setting period to begin on Dec. 28, 2022 at 8:01 a.m. This trap reduction will help reduce risk of entanglement as humpback whales continue to migrate to winter breeding grounds. Commercial Dungeness crab vessels operating in Fishing Zones 3-6 must understand and comply with the restrictions by reviewing the CDFW Declaration. Any commercial Dungeness Crab vessel fishing in or transiting Fishing Zones 3-6, regardless of fishing location, is subject to the 50 percent reduction and must have at least half of their valid buoy tags for the current fishing season onboard and available for inspection by CDFW at all times until the trap reduction is lifted. Fishing Zones 1 and 2 (Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties) had been delayed due to poor meat quality results but recent tests indicate crab are ready for market. The fishery will open on Dec. 31, 2022 at 12:01 a.m., with a 64-hour gear setting period that will begin at 8:01 a.m. on Dec. 28, 2022. The full news release can be found at the CDFW News Room and for more information, please visit CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries Webpage.

"

   

    So, Gage and I launched at 8:30 this morning and headed out for some rockfishing. King tides made launching...... complicated, but we made it in. After crossing the bar we saw what looked like a guy in a tiny white boat between the TB buoy and the tip of Tomales Point, closer to the point. We were veering around him to avoid waking him when he started waving. We went over to him and as we approached we discovered that he was, in fact, sitting on the bottom of an overturned Whaler. His boat flipped as he was pulling his hoops when east wind-driven waves slopped over his stern and the boat rolled in seconds. He had time to grab his phone as the boat rolled over. He was chatting with the friendly folks at 911 when we pulled up. We discovered that dudes are heavier than the tuna we catch and are hard to pull over the gunnel. Also, no gaffs were used, for the record, which may have made it easier. We hauled him back in to the Landing, then ran back out and towed in the boat. Floating boats tow way better than overturned ones, it seems. Upside-down boat tow like boat-sized Rapalas. Thank goodness that the tide was still coming in. With the crazy high tide we couldn't pull the boat out, but we were able to drop it in the shallows with some help from Cameron and the Marin County Fire Department. After the tide dropped the boat got flipped upright and trailered. Gage and I continued out for limits of small rockfish and keeper lings by a bit after noon. The east wind made fishing a bit complicated but the fish still bit, just not as well as one would hope. They fried up well. Yum. 

     So, you may ask, what's going on in fishing and crabbing in Dillon Beach? Good question. While this past month has had some of the best fishing weather of the year (if you like flat water and little wind) the choices of fish to catch are minimal and get worse after December. Next year's rules are: "

Media Contacts: Caroline McKnight, CDFW Marine Region, (831) 277-7683 Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352

New Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations Coming in the New Year Changes to recreational fishing seasons, depth limits and bag limits for a variety of groundfish species will be implemented in 2023. The new regulations were adopted by the Pacific Fishery Management Council in June 2022 and the California Fish and Game Commission in November 2022 and are expected to take effect on or around Jan. 1, 2023. As in previous years, the boat-based fishery for most groundfish species will be closed statewide beginning Jan. 1, while spear divers and shore-based anglers will continue to have year-round fishing opportunities for groundfish. For groundfish including Rockfish, Cabezon and Greenling (RCG) as well as lingcod, the boat-based seasons will bring a mix of increased and reduced fishing opportunities, depending on the species. Unlike prior years, all Groundfish Management Areas will have a portion of the season when ‘all-depth’ fishing is allowed and anglers are not subject to the Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) depth constraints. This allows new fishing opportunities for deeper-water shelf and slope rockfish, which are most abundant in areas that have been previously closed to recreational groundfish fishing. The following is a summary of the new boat-based regulations for RCG species and lingcod in each management area: Southern Management Area between 34°27' N. latitude (Point Conception) and the U.S./Mexico border: For nearshore rockfish, cabezon and greenlings: closed Jan. 1 through March 31, open at all depths April 1 through Sept. 15, closed Sept. 16 through Dec. 31. For all other rockfish (shelf and slope species) and lingcod: closed Jan. 1 through March 31, open at all depths April 1 through Sept. 15. From Sept. 16 through Dec. 31, take of shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod is open seaward of the 50 fathom RCA line. Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom RCA line. Additional regulations still apply within the Cowcod Conservation Areas.  Central Management Area between 37°11' N. latitude (Pigeon Point) and 34°27' N. latitude (Point Conception): For nearshore rockfish, cabezon and greenlings: closed Jan. 1 through April 30, open at all depths May 1 through Sept. 30, closed Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. For all other rockfish (shelf and slope species) and lingcod: closed Jan. 1 through April 30, open at all depths May 1 through Sept. 30. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, take of shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod is open seaward of the 50 fathom RCA line. Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom RCA line. San Francisco Management Area between 38°57.5' N. latitude (Point Arena) and 37°11' N. latitude (Pigeon Point): For nearshore rockfish, cabezon and greenlings: closed Jan. 1 through July 15, open at all depths July 16 through Dec. 31. For all other rockfish (shelf and slope species) and lingcod: closed Jan. 1 through May 14. From May 15 through July 15, take of shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod is open seaward of the 50 fathom RCA line. Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom RCA line. From July 16 through Dec. 31, open at all depths. Mendocino Management Area between 40°10' N. latitude (near Cape Mendocino) and 38°57.5' N. latitude (Point Arena): For nearshore rockfish, cabezon and greenlings: closed Jan. 1 through July 15, open at all depths July 16 through Dec. 31. For all other rockfish (shelf and slope species) and lingcod: closed Jan. 1 through May 14. From May 15 through July 15, take of shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod is open seaward of the 50 fathom RCA line. Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom RCA line. From July 16 through Dec. 31, open at all depths. Northern Management Area between the California/Oregon state line and 40°10' N. latitude (near Cape Mendocino): For rockfish, cabezon, greenlings and lingcod: closed Jan. 1 through May 14, open at all depths May 15 through Oct. 15, closed Oct. 16 through Dec. 31. Anglers will need to identify rockfish species they catch, and beginning in 2023, be able to determine if the fish is categorized as a nearshore, shelf or slope rockfish species, as different seasons and depths apply to each category depending on the Groundfish Management Area and month. The RCG bag limit will remain at 10 fish in combination of rockfish, cabezon and greenlings, with sub-bag limits of not more than four vermilion rockfish, one copper rockfish and one quillback rockfish. Take and possession of cowcod, yelloweye and bronzespotted rockfish will remain prohibited. The new groundfish regulations are a significant departure from the fishing seasons and depth limits that anglers are accustomed to and are necessary due to scientific information suggesting that copper rockfish and quillback rockfish populations are in severe decline. The season structures for each management area were developed in consultation with fishing industry representatives, non-governmental organizations and state, federal and tribal governments, and were designed to provide the greatest amount of groundfish fishing time and opportunity to anglers throughout the year. “While recognizing there are concerns with copper and quillback rockfish that will reduce nearshore fishing time in the near-term, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is excited to offer recreational anglers new deeper-water and offshore bank and reef opportunities for groundfish that have been closed for more than two decades,” said CDFW Environmental Program Manager Marci Yaremko. “We look forward to seeing the diversity of healthy species come across the docks in the coming years as significant new fishing grounds will now be available to recreational angling.” There are also changes for several species that have been subject to boat-based closures in the past, which may offer new alternatives for boat-based anglers as early as January. They include: New year-round opportunities: ocean whitefish, California scorpionfish, leopard shark, soupfin shark, Dover sole, English sole, arrowtooth flounder, spiny dogfish, skates, ratfish, grenadiers, finescale codling, Pacific cod, Pacific whiting, sablefish and thornyheads will now be open year-round in all depths, statewide. Boat-based fishing for California sheephead, will be open from March 1 through Dec. 31, statewide. The bag limit, regardless of fishing mode, will decrease from five fish to two fish. To meet harvest goals, the recreational groundfish fishery is subject to in-season regulatory changes. Please stay informed by visiting CDFW’s summary of recreational groundfish fishing regulations webpage before fishing.

"  I bolded the part for us. Short form, no rockfishing until mid-May, and no rockfishing where you want to fish until mid-July. Deep-water rockfishing will open sooner and run the year, it just will cost more in gas and be more highly restricted by weather. But when you get there, have your filet knives sharpened. Booyah.

    In the crab department, it mostly sucks locally. Inside Tomales Bay has been hard; outside in the Outer bay not much better. Snarers have caught a few from shore but numbers aren't awesome. Not many limits but a few dinners were had. Sales of hotlinks and canned beans has been up. Salmon Creek and points north have been better. Not perfect, but people that crabbed there have been likelier to have crab to share. That may change soon. The recommendation to the CDFW is this: 

"Recreational Fishery: • Lift Crab Trap Prohibition and Issue a Fleet Advisory for Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 • Alternative Management Action for consideration by the Working Group is to continue the trap restriction until the next risk assessment (see Section C) The recreational Dungeness crab fishery is currently open statewide in all Fishing Zones (see CCR Title 14, section 29.80(e)), although use of traps is temporarily restricted in Fishing Zones 3-6. CDFW Marine Region’s preliminary recommendation is for the Director to lift the trap restriction in Fishing Zones 3-6 and issue a Fleet Advisory, with specific information on recent humpback whale sighting locations. The recommendation is that the recreational trap restriction be lifted on December 28, 2022, at 8:01am in Fishing Zones 3-6 and a Fleet Advisory issued. 

Commercial Fishery: • Season opener with Gear 50% Gear Reduction (trap reduction) and Fleet Advisory for Fishing Zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 • Alternative Management Action for consideration by the Working Group is to continue the season delay until the next risk assessment (see Section C) The commercial Dungeness crab fishery is currently delayed in all Fishing Zones due to crab meat quality or elevated entanglement risk. Fishing Zones 1 and 2 were evaluated during the November 21, 2022 risk assessment under RAMP and CDFW Marine Region staff’s final recommendation for the commercial fishery was to allow the season to open in these Fishing Zones due to reduced entanglement risk. However, the commercial fishery opener in Fishing Zones 1 and 2 was further delayed pursuant to Fish Page 3 of 5 and Game Code Section 8672.2 (due to quality testing results) until at least December 31, 2022. CDFW Marine Region’s preliminary recommendation is for the Director to open Fishing Zones 3-6 under a Gear Reduction of 50% of allotted traps by permit tier for each permitted vessel and issue a Fleet Advisory on December 31, 2022. Buoy tags issued pursuant to Fish and Game Code 8276.5 shall be reduced consistent with the Director’s declaration and all unused buoys tags shall be onboard the permitted vessel and made available for inspection by the department upon request, pursuant to Section 132.8 (e)(3) Title 14, CCR. Specific information on recent humpback whale sighting locations will be included in the Fleet Advisory. The 64-hour pre-soak would begin for the commercial fishery at 8:01am on December 28, 2022. " 

   So, this ain't the law, yet, but likely will be. When the guys that have been waiting to go crabbing to make money to pay for their lives finally get the opportunity to go, I'm guessing that they're gonna go, given the opportunity. So far, in two years (or less) of whale rules, the recommendations have been adopted as is. Really, no sense in having an advisory panel if you can't blame things on it later. That's what they're for. So, probably, traps will open on December 28. Probably. We should see an official proclamation tomorrow. Again, probably. I'll tell you tomorrow, probably.  

   Slow to okay crabbing in the bay continues, with slightly better numbers from the south end of the outer bay. Better numbers of crab for the few guys going to the far end of Ten Mile, and best results from Salmon Creek up to the Russian River. I caught four commercial-sized Dungeness in one pull with four rings yesterday in the outer bay. Between dropping and pulling I caught a limit of small but tasty blue and yellowtail rockfish and one lingcod out in front of Bird Rock. They weren't as big as I wanted but they sure tasted good. Big ones are for bragging, small ones are for eating. 

    Salmon returns have been disappointing. This bodes poorly for next year's salmon season. As I've mentioned before, the Golden State Salmon Association does good work advocating for salmon and salmon fishermen, and the salmon and salmon fishermen will need some advocating this year. Here's a couple of links: 

   There's a petition to sign to hopefully get salmon a bigger share of the river water. Water = salmon. https://goldenstatesalmon.org/easy-way-to-help-boost-salmon-and-you-can-help/   

    Bodies = political clout. Your name in their membership rolls gets them a little more pull in trying to secure more salmon. If you like salmon, join: https://goldenstatesalmon.org/join/

 

     Matt Kimura sent over this report last night: "Hey Willie,

I was crabbing off Carmet in 100’ doing pretty well until I found this guy in my trap.  She brought in two clam shells with eggs with her.  As delicious as she would have been, I released her.  Matt" It's probably good for her that she brought pictures of her children. I have eaten a bit of octopus and would likely be doing a lot of ethical algebra on this one. Luckily for her, a crab net is not a specifically legal method of take for octopus, so I would have let her go as well. With shaking hands. Shaky, moral and legal hands. It seems like there were more octopus caught this year than usual, usual being me hearing about less than one a year. I heard of several caught this year. What's that mean? As far as I can tell, it means there's more octopuses (octopi?) around.

     Crabbing is the same, not that good unless you're in a good spot, then, well, you know. That spot seems to be north of Bodega, but a few can still be found in the outer bay, and to a lesser extent, inside Tomales. The Tomales Bay bite has been better near Hog than near the mouth lately but neither is very good. A few guys are doing well but most of the rest of us are scratching out a few if we're lucky.

     On the fishing front, rockfish are biting well and will continue to bite well after the season closes at the end of the month. This is your last chance for shallow rockfish until the end of the month. After that the shallows won't be open until July 15. The lingcod are in the shallows now, 40 to 70 feet, so find some structure and you have a good shot at them with a swimbait. Even better shot with live bait (nothing looks more like a live fish than a live fish).

    The crab keep coming, but not many of them. The weather hasn't been the best, so most of the crabbing has been from the shore with varying success. By varying, I mean a few guys got some and the others were jealous. The boaters did a little better but had to work hard for them, trading gasoline for crab. With gas prices dropping the trade is getting slightly better. The guys going to the outer bay have been getting a few but it ain't great.

      The rockfish have been biting in the colder water. Clint hasn't been the only guy catching lingcod, just the only guy catching huge ones. Gage, Alec and I caught three keeper lingcod and two cabezon last Wednesday after trying for bluefin (for nada) earlier in the day. The biters were a welcome distraction. We  threw back twice as many shorties as we kept in the hour we fished at Tomales Point. They were liking the Pitbull swimbaits. 

   

 

     Sorry, Clint, I don't know your last name, but I'm not sorry that you caught this lingcod today. Actually, I'm sorry that I didn't catch it, so there is some sorry on my part. This ling weighed 28 pounds. That's a big ling. Yes, a small portion of this one was eggs, and we should all probably let those breeders go. But, I think a lot of rockfish and other small ocean critters would argue that a few less lingcod may not be the worst thing to happen to the earth. There's still a lot more lings out there and right now is their season for lovin'. Good on you, Clint, and don't read the comments that will inevitably follow. They're just jealous. The rockfish appreciate you. Heck, I do, too.

     So, when we may use traps? Not yet, it seems. I was going to copy-and-paste the report from CDFW but it's easier to, as Nancy Reagan said, just say no. Maybe as soon as December 31 in our area, but it depends on how long the food stays around for the whales to eat. Whales, like bluefin, are here for the eating, not the company, and will leave when the eating gets scarce. The 200+ pelicans eating anchovies in Tomales Bay a few days back seemed to indicate that the day the food runs out ain't today. Maybe soon, but not today. 

   The crab don't care about the company and can't move quick enough to follow the food, so we can look to them for a different opinion. Kind of unsurprisingly, their opinion seems to be, "meh". They are crabs. Crabbing results have been poor on average with a few folks doing okay. A pair of crabbers today limited inside the bay but, "We pulled the gear all day. All. Day." They pulled out around 4:30 and worked their rings, as they said, All. Day. That was a tired pair of dudes. That's about the best crab report, but I have two more. Three local gents (I use that term because appropriate nouns are considered improper) caught 28 Dungeness in the Outer Bay in three hours yesterday. The one guy that was tasked with the pulling looked worked over. But, to be fair, he didn't look all that good before they went out. One other report came from the snarers on the beach in front of the Boathouse. One guy said that he spent all of the daylight on Saturday snaring for nothing, then caught seven keeper Dungeness between 5:00 and 7:00 PM. Sunday was similar, but he caught a limit of ten after dark instead of seven. We all aren't him, so our mileage may vary, but I've heard that crab are nocturnal and are more active then. It may even be true.