WSB stones - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

lamb · 07-21-2008, 07:45 AM

Cool write up Tyler!

Senor Jose techniques are being ethernalized!

On turning in WSB heads - Hubbs / Seaworld Research Institute has been releasing hatchery raised WSB for years. Great program with some amazing results. They tag all the fish they release, and recovering those tags provides a ton of cool info for the scientists.

http://www.hswri.org/research/resear...m.cfm?reaID=27
http://www.projectpacific.org/whiteseabass.html

On stones, I was going to say google "wsb stones"... ...but then I realized that this page comes up on the top...

The stones are otholits, or ear-stones... They are made out of calcium. Fisherman often collect them as the a trophy catch souvenir. I believe all fish have otholits, and their size varies from one species to another. Croakers seem to have big ones. The bigger the croaker, the bigger the stones. Ear stones are internal organ that help fish keep the balance.

The stones are frequently used by scientist in aging study. Although the Hobbs / Seaworld Research folks will never advertise they'd like to have the stones from your turned in WSB head knowing fishermen keep it as trophy, they would love the opportunity to examine them. By looking at the calcium layers in otholits they can determine the exact age of the fish. Tim was telling me that last year one of the spearos turned in WSB head of 72 pounder. Based on otholits layers, they determined the fish was just 20 and some years old, which was contrary to what they used to believe. They were estimating that size fish would be more like 30 years old. They keep learning about WSB, and we can help by turning their heads in - hopefully so they could find the tag... Or by analyzing the stones, if you're willing to let them have it. Again, they will never ask, no worries that they will try to keep the stones unless you let them.

Please do turn your heads in whenever you can. They need our help.

Personally, I have not been keeping the stones last few years. I will keep 'em only if I ever end up catching WSB bigger than the Mother of all Lamb.

lamb · 07-21-2008, 07:59 AM

Here's a pic for Tyler, he hasn't seen it in a while.

The Mother is saying hi...

madscientist · 07-21-2008, 08:25 AM

One more reason to talk to and befriend the Baja locals. I remember when Jose first showed us that trick. I've gotten pretty good at the head split method so I'll stick with that until I get a personal demo of the other method.

Otoliths are basically calcified snot. Then again, so is a pearl.

Zed · 07-21-2008, 11:01 AM

You do realize the actual catching of said fish takes far longer than finding the ear bones or even typing/reading this post.

Might as well be a how-to on African Elephant tusk removal.
Step one:
Find an African elephant in SoCal...

bajadog · 07-21-2008, 11:51 AM

I had it all wrong I figured the WSB stones would have been some type
of Asian aphrodisiac ....

Handymansd · 07-21-2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zed

Might as well be a how-to on African Elephant tusk removal.
Step one: Find an African elephant in SoCal...

So true!!

Corey · 07-21-2008, 01:16 PM

Another good and easy way, which I learned from the guys at Hubbs, is to take a hacksaw and cross-section the head right behind the eyes. This exposes both pockets which contain the stones. Then you can just stick your finger in and pull them out.

h2ofishfo · 07-21-2008, 07:34 PM

well if i find 1 this year and i mean if!!! ill find it w/my teeth just for the full experience. my snot fortune cookie

07-21-2008, 07:45 AM	#1
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	Cool write up Tyler! Senor Jose techniques are being ethernalized! On turning in WSB heads - Hubbs / Seaworld Research Institute has been releasing hatchery raised WSB for years. Great program with some amazing results. They tag all the fish they release, and recovering those tags provides a ton of cool info for the scientists. http://www.hswri.org/research/resear...m.cfm?reaID=27 http://www.projectpacific.org/whiteseabass.html On stones, I was going to say google "wsb stones"... ...but then I realized that this page comes up on the top... The stones are otholits, or ear-stones... They are made out of calcium. Fisherman often collect them as the a trophy catch souvenir. I believe all fish have otholits, and their size varies from one species to another. Croakers seem to have big ones. The bigger the croaker, the bigger the stones. Ear stones are internal organ that help fish keep the balance. The stones are frequently used by scientist in aging study. Although the Hobbs / Seaworld Research folks will never advertise they'd like to have the stones from your turned in WSB head knowing fishermen keep it as trophy, they would love the opportunity to examine them. By looking at the calcium layers in otholits they can determine the exact age of the fish. Tim was telling me that last year one of the spearos turned in WSB head of 72 pounder. Based on otholits layers, they determined the fish was just 20 and some years old, which was contrary to what they used to believe. They were estimating that size fish would be more like 30 years old. They keep learning about WSB, and we can help by turning their heads in - hopefully so they could find the tag... Or by analyzing the stones, if you're willing to let them have it. Again, they will never ask, no worries that they will try to keep the stones unless you let them. Please do turn your heads in whenever you can. They need our help. Personally, I have not been keeping the stones last few years. I will keep 'em only if I ever end up catching WSB bigger than the Mother of all Lamb. __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

07-21-2008, 07:59 AM	#2
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	Here's a pic for Tyler, he hasn't seen it in a while. The Mother is saying hi... __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

07-21-2008, 08:25 AM	#3
madscientist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,906	One more reason to talk to and befriend the Baja locals. I remember when Jose first showed us that trick. I've gotten pretty good at the head split method so I'll stick with that until I get a personal demo of the other method. Otoliths are basically calcified snot. Then again, so is a pearl. __________________

07-21-2008, 11:51 AM	#5
bajadog I eats what I kills Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 393	I had it all wrong I figured the WSB stones would have been some type of Asian aphrodisiac .... __________________ Please release bill-fish.

07-21-2008, 01:16 PM	#7
Corey Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: ...waaaay out there Posts: 794	Another good and easy way, which I learned from the guys at Hubbs, is to take a hacksaw and cross-section the head right behind the eyes. This exposes both pockets which contain the stones. Then you can just stick your finger in and pull them out. __________________

07-21-2008, 11:01 AM	#4
Zed BANNED Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: W of 5 Posts: 1,265	You do realize the actual catching of said fish takes far longer than finding the ear bones or even typing/reading this post. Might as well be a how-to on African Elephant tusk removal. Step one: Find an African elephant in SoCal...

07-21-2008, 07:34 PM	#8
h2ofishfo Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Santee Posts: 821	well if i find 1 this year and i mean if!!! ill find it w/my teeth just for the full experience. my snot fortune cookie