What's a novice to do during rockfish closure? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Dave Legacy · 01-02-2016, 11:48 AM

Hey dudes,

I'm still quite the novice when it comes to kayak fishing, so I'm not experienced in the various seasons. Now that rockfish season is closed for a couple months I'm finding myself unsure of where I should direct my attention. I was hoping you guys would give me some examples of what you typically focus on during this time of year. I was thinking maybe a couple months of aquainting myself with bass? I'd very much like to avoid bycatch of out-of-season species.

Best regards,

Dave

bolocop · 01-02-2016, 12:11 PM

Forget the bass. LJ is going crazy with WSB and YT. I know you're new, but the swells are ankle slappers right now.

Good grade of fish...get out there!

cell128 · 01-02-2016, 01:09 PM

Halibut open year round. I'll take one nice butt over 10 rocks any day

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ctfphoto · 01-02-2016, 01:18 PM

Lobster

cell128 · 01-02-2016, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctfphoto

Lobster

I really wanna try this out have never been on the kayak after hours... Anyone in south bay wanna go maybe Tuesday night?

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Saba Slayer · 01-02-2016, 02:15 PM

Lobster...WSB, Halibut, Yellowtail, Squid, and did I say LOBSTER...?
Tuesday's looking a little iffy weather wise..!

Dave Legacy · 01-02-2016, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cell128

Halibut open year round. I'll take one nice butt over 10 rocks any day

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

I hadn't forgotten about halis, but I guess my concern was that fishing tight to structure would have a high likelihood to produce restricted species as bycatch; Just trying to be a responsible angler. It doesn't sound like this is an issue though, so I'll just have at it. I haven't managed anything other than calicos at this point anyway. =)

YakDout · 01-03-2016, 06:48 AM

Guys catch rockfish all year round. Just make sure you release them when the season is closed. The rockfish wont listen to you if you tell them to stay off your hook. Their hearing isnt great at those depths.

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DanaPT · 01-03-2016, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cell128

I really wanna try this out have never been on the kayak after hours... Anyone in south bay wanna go maybe Tuesday night?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

I want to hoop after a rain but we'll have to wait and see what the weather does.

taggermike · 01-03-2016, 04:25 PM

Like others said, there are many great target species in so cal in the winter. Halibut are a favorite of mine. Even when the ocean is rough there can be some good halo fishing in our bays n harbors.
So cal can have some good winter n spring large mouth bass fishing. Also stripers in lakes and the Colorado river. And Baja, both pacific and Cortes sides, is always an option. No reason to hang up the gear in the winter. Mike

004251948 · 01-04-2016, 10:00 AM

I want to get some lobsta!!

-Jonathan

skrilla · 01-04-2016, 01:27 PM

Trout

makobob · 01-04-2016, 01:35 PM

Baja, Baja, Baja.

01-02-2016, 11:48 AM	#1
Dave Legacy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Hacienda Heights, CA Posts: 427	What's a novice to do during rockfish closure? Hey dudes, I'm still quite the novice when it comes to kayak fishing, so I'm not experienced in the various seasons. Now that rockfish season is closed for a couple months I'm finding myself unsure of where I should direct my attention. I was hoping you guys would give me some examples of what you typically focus on during this time of year. I was thinking maybe a couple months of aquainting myself with bass? I'd very much like to avoid bycatch of out-of-season species. Best regards, Dave

01-02-2016, 02:15 PM	#6
Saba Slayer Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palos Verdes Posts: 1,857	Lobster Lobster...WSB, Halibut, Yellowtail, Squid, and did I say LOBSTER...? Tuesday's looking a little iffy weather wise..! __________________ Jim / Saba Slayer

01-04-2016, 01:27 PM	#12
skrilla Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 664	Trout __________________ Urban Camo Trident 13

01-04-2016, 01:35 PM	#13
makobob Baitless on Baja Join Date: May 2013 Location: Vista California, Gonzaga, San Quintin, Asuncion, Mag Bay Posts: 4,250	Baja, Baja, Baja. __________________ http://www.mako-ville.com Home 760-630-4470 Cell 760-520-2514 YES YOU CAN

01-02-2016, 12:11 PM	#2
bolocop Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 332	Forget the bass. LJ is going crazy with WSB and YT. I know you're new, but the swells are ankle slappers right now. Good grade of fish...get out there!

01-02-2016, 01:09 PM	#3
cell128 lizard king Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Lakewood Posts: 520	Halibut open year round. I'll take one nice butt over 10 rocks any day Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

01-02-2016, 01:18 PM	#4
ctfphoto Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 901	Lobster

01-03-2016, 06:48 AM	#8
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	Guys catch rockfish all year round. Just make sure you release them when the season is closed. The rockfish wont listen to you if you tell them to stay off your hook. Their hearing isnt great at those depths. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01-03-2016, 04:25 PM	#10
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Like others said, there are many great target species in so cal in the winter. Halibut are a favorite of mine. Even when the ocean is rough there can be some good halo fishing in our bays n harbors. So cal can have some good winter n spring large mouth bass fishing. Also stripers in lakes and the Colorado river. And Baja, both pacific and Cortes sides, is always an option. No reason to hang up the gear in the winter. Mike

01-04-2016, 10:00 AM	#11
004251948 Junior Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 25	I want to get some lobsta!! -Jonathan