Rockfish count doubles

Saltwater: Rockfish opened on the first day of March after the annual two-month January-February closure. Despite the inclement weather and rough conditions on the water causing a two-to-three-day shutdown of the majority of the fleet and light angler loads on days they could get out, the count of rockfish more than doubled from that of the previous week’s total of 1,010, with 2,092 caught. Sand Bass counts dropped to less than a quarter of the fish caught, as the focus of the fleet fishing U.S. waters shifted from sandy flats to deeper reefs. Whitefish, generally caught along with rockfish, counts went up to a total of 430 from 94 the week previous as well. That’s quite an increase considering, due to the weather, the angler counts dropped by dozens.

Concerning rockfish, it is a good idea to check up on any changes to size limits, count limits and depth restrictions before heading out for the first run each season. Sportboats will inform passengers on rules and regs as needed, but for those who are heading out on private boats and kayaks, here are the changes for the RGC (rockfish, cabezon, and greenling) complex for the 2022 season:

Vermillion rockfish, a favorite for fried tacos and ceviche and commonly caught in the Southern Management Area from Point Conception to the U.S./Mexico border, has been decreased statewide from five fish per angler per day to four fish. Quillback rockfish has a new statewide limit of one fish per angler per day, and copper rockfish has likewise been reduced to one fish. Though the twenty fish bag limit for finfish with no more than ten of any species is still in place, only ten of those in the sack may be rockfish listed in the RCG complex, and, unless otherwise restricted, no more than five per species. The following is from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife explaining this season’s changes:

“New stock assessments conducted in 2021 for quillback and copper rockfish suggest severe population declines for these two species. Also, unsustainably high catches of vermilion rockfish have occurred each year since 2015,” said CDFW Environmental Program Manager Marci Yaremko. “For these reasons, new federal regulations were needed to implement reduced sport bag limits for these three species in 2022.”

Individual species limits are ‘sub bag limits’, and it is always important to identify exactly the species caught. For that reason, I always suggest boaters carry an identification guide to more easily confirm the species caught. As, for example concerning this year’s changes, copper rockfish and vermilion rockfish are close in appearance and are often confused, and a fine is much more expensive that a pound or so of filets, keeping a CDFW regulation booklet is also advised.

Both CDFW Southern Management regulation booklets and finfish species I.D. guides are available online, and those specific to Southern California and Baja fisheries can also be purchased at most local tackle shops and sportfishing landings. I.D. guides are detailed and usually laminated for ease of use and protection. Regulation booklets are pocket-sized, and, as with any other law enforcement concerning laws broken, California’s Fish and Wildlife officers are not easily swayed by excuses, so it is best to keep both at hand when fishing.

For boats making the run south of the border within one-day and 1.5 day range, yellowtail and bonito are biting sporadically between Ensenada and Colonet, allowing for a good mixed bag of surface and bottom biters. Before the weather blew in, the Pacific Voyager, out fishing Sunday February 27 on their 1.5-day with 16 anglers aboard reported 101 vermilion rockfish, 32 lingcod, and 27 yellowtail caught near Colonet. That is full limits of ten fish per angler in Mexican waters. The Tribute, in the same area on a 1.5 day run with 32 anglers aboard also reported full Mexican limits, with 139 vermilion rockfish, 62 rockfish, 52 whitefish, 43 lingcod, 21 bonito, 2 sheephead, and 1 sculpin hauled over the rail.

Freshwater: As springtime nears, largemouth bass will begin moving into spawning stage. Bass clubs throughout the area are gearing up for their annual tournament trail. Along with the trout plants and continued good fishing for those stockers, area lakes will start getting more traffic, so if planning on renting boats, getting to your favorite county lake early is important. If you would like to compete or be involved with any of the upcoming bass tournaments, or just go watch the weigh-ins, check out the San Diego Council of Bass Clubs for schedules and club information at: https://bit.ly/3Kczazg

Fish on!

Fish Plants: March 10 – Lake Poway, trout (1,500) March 11 – Santee Lakes, trout (1,500) March 12 – Lake Wolhford, trout (1,500)