Using Rockfish as Bait?

[John Doe]

Can you use rockfish for bait? I've heard different things?

Thanks,
JD

[Dave Legacy]

I suppose as long as you don't exceed a daily bag limit. I'd be interested to hear if using a small rockfish to catch a larger rockfish would count and being size selective (can't recall the legal term for sizing up)? Go nuts using Sand Dabs instead.

[JeffB]

I don't think you're allowed to use any game fish as bait. I know folks do, but as strip bait

[maquinapescado]

I would never use a small salmon grouper fillets caught on a sibiki to catch reds or lings. It would be very very wrong.

[alanw]

Originally Posted by JeffB

I don't think you're allowed to use any game fish as bait. I know folks do, but as strip bait

I know I read this somewhere too, but couldn't find it in the regs. Maybe it's just for freshwater? Not sure. They definitely count towards your limits though and I would never use gamefish as live bait.

[Phishphood]

Originally Posted by John Doe

Can you use rockfish for bait? I've heard different things?

Thanks,
JD

Originally Posted by Carrie Wilson

Using black or blue rockfish for lingcod bait?
Question: Can one use black or blue rock fish as bait to catch lingcod? I have seen people do this but I believe you cannot since rockfish are considered to be a game fish. (John C., Roseville)

Answer: Yes, anglers can take black or blue rockfish that they have caught to send back down on a hook to catch lingcod. However, while those two species do not have minimum size limits, any legal rockfish you use as bait count toward your daily bag limit of rockfish.

https://californiaoutdoorsqas.com/2016/05/
So yes you can. The bait fish should be counted toward your daily bag limit. No clue if using RF fillets would need to adhere to at-sea filleting rules but my guess would be yes.

[maquinapescado]

Lings love Sand Dabs and there is no limits on those. You can fillet them and use them for bait too and they do not count

[straightrod]

Would one use a whole Sand Dab as bait and expect to catch something?

[Dave Legacy]

Originally Posted by straightrod

Would one use a whole Sand Dab as bait and expect to catch something?

Lingcod have big mouths and sand dabs are usually pretty small.

[Rambo]

If the lingcod decides to tag along and hitchhike following the rockfish there is no harm. Just reel slow and get the gaff ready, plenty of times I seen lingcod tag along and try and chase a hooked up rockfish. These party/cow boats toss the small rockfishes so instead of reeling after it gets bit let it stay down for a larger bite so your not intentionally killing them by bringing them up to the surface.

[John Doe]

Originally Posted by Phishphood

https://californiaoutdoorsqas.com/2016/05/
So yes you can. The bait fish should be counted toward your daily bag limit. No clue if using RF fillets would need to adhere to at-sea filleting rules but my guess would be yes.

Thanks for responding everyone. According to the above DFG article, yes you can