New Recreational Groundfish Regulations For 2021

 The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announces that multiple changes to the recreational groundfish regulations will take effect in the new year.

CDFW worked closely with recreational stakeholders to develop the following changes, effective January 1, 2021. See CDFW’s summary of recreational groundfish regulations for Management Area boundary definitions.

• Elimination of sub-bag limits for black rockfish, canary rockfish and cabezon within the 10-fish Rockfish, Cabezon, Greenling (RCG) complex daily bag limit.
• A new sub-bag limit of five vermilion rockfish within the 10-fish RCG complex daily bag limit.
• The Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) boundary will increase to 30 fathoms (180 feet) in the Mendocino Management Area during the regular open season (May 1-October 31).
• The RCA boundary will increase to 50 fathoms (300 feet) in the San Francisco Management Area during the open season (April 1-December 31).
• The RCA boundary will increase to 100 fathoms (600 feet) in the Southern Management Area during the open season (March 1-December 31).
• For consistency with federal regulations, the legal method of take for California scorpionfish has been updated such that no more than two hooks and one line may be used when angling for this species.
• The ‘All Depth’ fishery in the Northern and Mendocino Management Areas will continue each November and December, unless modified by an in-season action.

The new regulations were adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission in mid-October and the Pacific Fishery Management Council in July. Anglers should check CDFW’s website for the current regulations before fishing for groundfish and are advised that regulations printed in the 2020-21 ocean regulations book will be out of date starting January 1, 2021.

The 30, 50 and 100 fathom depth contours are defined by straight lines connecting the waypoints as adopted in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50, Part 660, Subpart C.

Many of these changes were made in response to the outcomes of recent stock assessment science. Populations of yelloweye rockfish and cowcod, which were declared overfished in 2002 and 2000 respectively, are increasing faster than anticipated and the cowcod population was declared rebuilt based on the 2019 stock assessment.

“The good news for 2021 is groundfish populations are rebounding,” said CDFW Senior Environmental Scientist Caroline McKnight. “Of the eight stocks that were declared overfished in the early 2000s, all but one, yelloweye rockfish, has been declared rebuilt today. The improved status of these species allows fishery managers to recommend management measures that provide additional fishing opportunity, including access to deeper depths that have been off limits to anglers for more than a decade.”

The implementation of a new five-fish sub-bag limit for vermilion rockfish within the 10-fish RCG complex daily bag limit may come as a surprise to some anglers. Recreational catch of vermilion rockfish has increased significantly in recent years, but stock status information is dated. While a new stock assessment for vermilion rockfish is planned for 2021, the results won’t be available for use in management until 2023. In the interim, the new five-fish vermilion rockfish sub-bag limit has been implemented as a precautionary measure to slow catches.

Take and possession of bronzespotted rockfish, cowcod and yelloweye rockfish remain prohibited statewide.

For more detailed information on the new 2021 recreational groundfish regulations and to stay informed of in-season changes, please call the Recreational Groundfish Hotline at (831) 649-2801 or visit CDFW’s summary of recreational groundfish fishing regulations for 2021. For background information on groundfish science and management, please visit CDFW’s Marine Region Groundfish webpage.

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Media Contacts:
Melanie Parker, CDFW Marine Region, (831) 649-2814
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 654-9937

https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2020/12/29/new-recreational-groundfish-regulations-for-2021/

Pacifica Pier Fishing Report 11-10-14

I went to the pier tonight from about 6 pm to 10 pm. I had not been to the pier in a while and it was nice to see the improvements the city has made to the pier. They fixed all of the lights and replaced them with led's so the length of the pier is no well illuminated. There are also no more of the rusty metal plates on the walkway.

As for the fishing, it seems Dungeness season is off to a slow start. Between my brother and I we did not catch a single crab using 3 fishing poles with snares and one crab cage. There were other people who caught some, but no one had more than 2 or three keepers, however most people did not have any keepers. There was one gentleman there who caught 2 small soles and seemed to have been catching them all day.

Hopefully crabbing will be better next time I go. But it is nice to see that they have made some nice improvements to the pier.

Gray Lodge Wildlife Area 9/19-9/21 2014

I went deer hunting at Gray Lodge wildlife area last weekend (first time ever going there). I was repeatedly pleasantly surprised by how nice the whole place was. There were flush toilets, the roads were very well maintained, and in the main parking lot there was even a microwave you could use.

This place is very well managed. I have never seen so much wildlife in one place. Species I saw included, grouse, pheasant, quail, turkey, deer, red tailed hawks, an owl, a turtle, frogs, bass, egrets, blue herons, crayfish, a kingsnake (see video here) and many other brids

If I were to go deer hunting there again, I would go in a group of at least two, 3-4 would likely be best. This way when flushing out the deer in the reeds you would be more likely to get one. This is really the only good way to deer hunt there. Several hunters did bring tree stands for the few trees which can support one, however they were not used much. Bikes are allowed there so I would recommend bringing one, this way you can cover much more ground.

I saw 11 deer, 10 of which were legal but could not get a good shot at one.
I also did some bass fishing - to see the youtube video click here

Do Not Forget Mosquito Spray/Repellent

IF you have any questions please ask in the comment section, I will answer any questions you have.



Gray Lodge Wildlife Area - Butte County (DFG LINK)

Pillar Point Harbor Half Moon Bay South Jetty 6-12-14

I got to the jetty around 4 P.M. and we caught one small cabezon and several crabs. We were about 1/2 way down the jetty. We caught the Cabezon on some squid with 30 pound line and 12 pound leader. The crab trap I was using I initially threw out into the ocean but after it got stuck and I had to go for a swim to get it, I decided I would throw the crab trap into the harbor, not expecting much, but it out fished it compared to the ocean side. we also forgot that we had to leave there by sunset so when we got back to our car there was a sheriff waiting for us, so if you go there remember to leave before sunset. Click here to see the crab cage contour helmet cam footage

Time lapse of Crab trap at Pillar Point Harbor

I put a contour helmet cam in a crab trap to see what sort of action was going on under the waves, click the link to see for yourself

Coyote Point Fishing

I went fishing at coyote point the other day for the first time with my brother. I really didnt know what to expect to catch there so i just threw in a fishing rod with 30# test a 3 oz pyramid weight and a size 4 hook with defosted squid and anchovy on it. Within 30 minutes we had a bite. We could feel it was a big one, so we fought it to make it tired and when we finally landed it we were surprized that we had caught a stingray in the 20-30# range. We caught several more after that. We were in the park, parking fee is 5$ or so. But you can also fish nearby from the parking lots around the area and not have to pay the parking fee. I am sure there are also sharks around that area, but unfortunatly we didnt catch any. THere is also a shooting range by the park. Ive attached links below for the park and the shooting range. Coyote point park website Coyote Point shooting range