Rock Fish - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

jfish · 03-16-2011, 11:54 PM

As far as the populations go..rockfish are fine..there are tons and tons of rockfish around..I have fished rockfish for a long time(never waste them though, way too delicious lol) Rock fish lay a ton of eggs per spawn so having the off season during their spawn as it is now is very beneficial because we are not taking pregnant fish.. this is why you rarely see fish with eggs in them when you clean them and this is why their population has steadily been increasing for the past years.

jorluivil · 03-17-2011, 03:28 AM

That's why I carry one of these.

IMO....there really is no point in keeping the little ones, they produce little to no meat(at least nothing thats worth cooking). I prefer to let them go to grow and fight another day. If you're fishing and targeting rockfish it should be mandatory to carry a venting tool.

http://www.ventafish.com/advantage.idc

Deamon · 03-17-2011, 06:32 AM

I've hammered a ton of cod over the years, local and offshore. Always by rod and reel. Fifteen fish limits and now 10 per person. This type of fishing would never dent that fishery. When I see all the rockcod fillets or whole fish (that NEVER look fresh) in every type of store everywhere, I can't help but think how many are caught/wasted by the commercial guys. We'd fish the best spots on the nine mile bank and know we were going to lose some weights and gangnions hanging up on all the lost commercial gear sitting on the bottom (for years and years) tangled in the rocks. We'd see tell tale signs of current gill nets (buoys and flags) and inevitably look for the buoy on the other end of their set, and say dammit, that's like 200 yards away. Set after set zigzagging around the nine. Indiscriminate killing by gill net or trawling for max profits and low prices is just wrong.

Pass me the popcorn.

Deamon · 03-17-2011, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorluivil

That's why I carry one of these.

IMO....there really is no point in keeping the little ones, they produce little to no meat(at least nothing thats worth cooking). I prefer to let them go to grow and fight another day. If you're fishing and targeting rockfish it should be mandatory to carry a venting tool.

http://www.ventafish.com/advantage.idc

I always wondered about the eyes that are bulging and ready to explode. That can't be a good thing when they're sent back down.

Iceman · 03-17-2011, 07:42 AM

Rockfish populations are closely monitored and seasonal closures ensure their survival. Thinning the herd only effects the average size, not the number of fish, as the habitat will only sustain so many fish. On the flip side, I don't like fish in my freezer any more. Keep 1, keep 10 it is your call.

03-17-2011, 07:42 AM	#5
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	Rockfish populations are closely monitored and seasonal closures ensure their survival. Thinning the herd only effects the average size, not the number of fish, as the habitat will only sustain so many fish. On the flip side, I don't like fish in my freezer any more. Keep 1, keep 10 it is your call. __________________

03-16-2011, 11:54 PM	#1
jfish Junior Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 3	As far as the populations go..rockfish are fine..there are tons and tons of rockfish around..I have fished rockfish for a long time(never waste them though, way too delicious lol) Rock fish lay a ton of eggs per spawn so having the off season during their spawn as it is now is very beneficial because we are not taking pregnant fish.. this is why you rarely see fish with eggs in them when you clean them and this is why their population has steadily been increasing for the past years.

03-17-2011, 06:32 AM	#3
Deamon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,972	I've hammered a ton of cod over the years, local and offshore. Always by rod and reel. Fifteen fish limits and now 10 per person. This type of fishing would never dent that fishery. When I see all the rockcod fillets or whole fish (that NEVER look fresh) in every type of store everywhere, I can't help but think how many are caught/wasted by the commercial guys. We'd fish the best spots on the nine mile bank and know we were going to lose some weights and gangnions hanging up on all the lost commercial gear sitting on the bottom (for years and years) tangled in the rocks. We'd see tell tale signs of current gill nets (buoys and flags) and inevitably look for the buoy on the other end of their set, and say dammit, that's like 200 yards away. Set after set zigzagging around the nine. Indiscriminate killing by gill net or trawling for max profits and low prices is just wrong. Pass me the popcorn.