Fishing the North Coast

from North Coast Journal 08-04-2022 Edition

by North Coast Journal

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Changes Coming to Sport Rockfi sh Regulations in 2023

By Kenny Priest

fi shing@northcoastjournal.com

In response to recent scientifi c information suggesting some nearshore groundfi sh species are in decline, signifi cant changes to California’s groundfi sh sport fi shing regulations are expected starting next year, according to a press release issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The upcoming changes were developed by the Pacifi c Fishery Management Council (PFMC) to reduce pressure on these stocks, resulting in shorter fi shing seasons in nearshore waters, but new opportunities in deeper water.

In 2022, nearshore groundfi sh fi shing season lengths ranged from eight to 10 months, but in 2023, they are expected to shrink to not more than fi ve-and-a-half months in all areas.

Within the 10-fi sh daily combined rockfi sh, cabezon and greenling bag limit, the sub-bag limits of one fi sh each for quillback and copper rockfi sh, and four fi sh for vermilion rockfi sh will continue in 2023. These sub-bag limits have been in e ect since January of 2022 and were necessary because new information in 2021 indicated severe declines in the populations of quillback and copper rockfi sh o California, and recreational vermilion rockfi sh catch continued to be greater than sustainable harvest limits.

While groundfi sh fi shing seasons will be shorter for nearshore waters and some bag limits are reduced, new opportunities to fi sh in deeper water beginning in 2023 will allow anglers to target healthy populations of shelf and slope rockfi sh in deeper waters, like schooling mid-water widow and yellowtail rockfi sh, or bottom-dwelling blackgill rockfi sh.

“Next year is expected to bring a momentous shift in the sport groundfi sh fi shery as all but one of the overfi shed shelf species that drove management decisions for the better part of the past two decades are now healthy,” said CDFW Environmental Program Manager Marci Yaremko.

To stay informed of in-season regulatory changes, call the Recreational Groundfi sh Hotline at (831) 649-2801 or visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/ Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Groundfi sh-Summary.

Tuna Update

Fort Bragg and Shelter Cove were the hot ports the last couple days. Bragg boats found the tuna as close as 20 miles o shore. Scores ranged from the high teens to the mid-30s. The fi sh are big, too, with a hefty number of 30-pounders coming over the rails. The cove boats had it better, having to travel only 10 to 12 miles to fi nd the right water and fi sh. The average score was about 30 per boat and mostly a nice grade of fi sh. A Dorado was also reportedly caught Monday.

The Oceans: Eureka

According to Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing, Monday’s salmon opener was a little on the slow side. “There were a handful of fi sh caught over a wide area, didn’t sound like anyone found schools of salmon,” said Klassen. “There were a few caught in the Table Blu area and down at the Eel River canyon, and a few up north. Just no big concentrations of fi sh. The water has warmed up north of the canyon, that could have something to do with it. We did fi nd some really good sign between False Cape and Centerville on our way back from the Cape and had a couple quick bites, but nothing stuck. The rockfi sh bite at the Cape is excellent right now, with a wide variety and a really good grade. The Pacifi c halibut bite is still going strong, with the best bite coming between the 50 and 54 lines in 200 to 220 feet of water.” Brookings Fishing Charters deckhand Eric Howard holds a vermilion and tiger rockfi sh caught July 30 at the Point St. George Reef Lighthouse near Crescent City. Photo courtesy of Andy Martin

Trinidad

“No big schools of salmon were located out of Trinidad on the opener,” said Curt Wilson of Wind Rose Charters. “There were a handful caught but they are defi nitely scattered. A few were caught south o the beach in 60 to 100 feet of water. The black rockfi sh bite is still excellent out front, but Sue-Meg (formerly Patrick’s Point) seems to be the best spot at the moment. A bunch of canary rockfi sh have shown up as well. The ling cod bite has been a bit tougher lately. Pacifi c halibut has slowed slightly but is still good for the boats putting in some time.”

Crescent City

According to Britt Carson of Crescent City’s Englund Marine, Monday’s salmon opener was very slow. “I only heard of a handful of fi sh caught but it was just one day,” said Carson. “Hopefully they are out there somewhere. The Pacifi c halibut bite has been on fi re this week. We’ve weighed in some big ones in the past few days, including some weighing 70 and 80 pounds. Most of the boats are targeting the halibut south of the South Reef. The rockfi sh action is steady, with limits coming easily. Lings are a little harder to come by. A few California halibut have been caught this week at South Beach.” Read the complete fi shing roundup at www.northcoastjournal.com. ● Kenny Priest (he/him) operates Fishing the North Coast, a fi shing guide service out of Humboldt specializing in salmon and steelhead. Find it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and www.fi shingthenorthcoast. com. For up-to-date fi shing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@fi shingthenorthcoast.com.