what does this mean?
 

Taking a look at the dfg site regulations:

Rockfish
The recreational fishery for rockfish (Sebastes sp.) is open to divers² and shore-based anglers year-round (see important NOTE at the end of this section) . This fishery is closed to boat-based anglers as of January 1, 2011. These species may only be taken or possessed⁴ in waters less than 360 feet (60 fathoms) deep*. The daily bag and possession limit is 10 fish in combination of all species within the RCG Complex (includes all species of Rockfish, Cabezon and Greenlings) per person, with a sub-limit on bocaccio (2 per person, minimum size limit of 10 inches total length, also included in the 10 fish RCG Complex aggregate limit). Yelloweye rockfish, canary rockfish, bronzespotted rockfish, and cowcod may not be retained (bag limit: zero).


⁴ These fish may be possessed in closed waters only aboard vessels in transit with no fishing gear in the water.


I read it as: I can catch rockfish in water shallower than 360 feet or ummm... have it on my kayak in the bay if no line is in the water and paddling around??... I think.

Rockfish are off limits until March 1st, Lincod are off limits until April 1st, unless you are fishing in Mexican waters. Also to this the Yelloweye, Canary, and CowCod are off limits completely.

In short, if you want to keep rockfish right now you need to take a boat ride to the Islands. The Regs are a little confusing but rockfishing is something I have done a lot of study on.

I just talked to DFG a couple weeks ago, while he had his hand in everything I had, at Refugio, and he told me the same, year round off the beach...:jig:

If in doubt feel free to call them as be clear, it would suck to get popped.

This stipulation is for those who do go into Mexican waters. So if you do catch some rockfish or lings in places where they don't care to manage species, you can still take your catch home to (or through) places where they do manage the species.

Willy

Where does one find these dates you speak of?

Page 18 it should say Southern Management Area.

If you do catch in Mex. don't forget to fill out declaration of entry form before entering back to U.S.

If you dont have your declaration you will get fined per fish....

If you are fishing on the Charter boats out of the Landings you are safe. If you are on a private boat then you need the declarations. Trust me on these dates here in American waters you do not want to keep rockfish right now.

no kidding?!

It's in the DFG regs but on this side of the border rockfish are off limits until March 1st and Lingcods are April 1st.

That is exactly what it says. You can take the specified limits while diving or fishing from shore in waters less than 360 feet deep year round.

So if you are fishing on the beach and catch a Lingcod you can keep it year round? I guess the likelyhood of catching a Ling from the beach or any of those is not that great.

The park host at Refugio did catch a short ling from the beach in early December, Time to hunt the striper...lol:biggrinjester: