Last run of the year for those tasty rock critters

[King Saba]

Did some bottomfishing today with Orca. Success and pure fun are the best terms to describe our day as we had a blast cranking up a mixed bag of bottomfish on jigs and cut bait. The species caught today included Sculpin, Sand Bass, Whitefish, Chucklehead Rockfish, Red Snapper, Brown Rockfish, Sand Dabs, Green Mackerel, Jack Mackerel (Aji), and the oh so lovable lizardfish.

All I can say is we were beat having covered over 8 miles today and cranking fish from the deep on heavy rods and heavy jigs. Oh, and the traffic we had going home was less than pleasant to say in the least. Hope to do it again!



Enjoy the short video I made




Took some fish home for a few meals and released everything that could not swim back down with a descending tool.


Orca's giant Chucklehead. This thing was 6-7lbs est. 20"+ fish. We tried sending it back down, but I didn't have enough lead to do the job.




Damn thing barely fit in my "high tech" livewell.


World's smallest whitefish

[david886720]

Good eats!

[cris]

Nice haul. I'm heading out of Dana tomorrow to try and get a feed too.

[Orca Winfrey]

That was a great time. I'm going to have to devise a deepwater release rig with a 1lb weight. Lol, the hellish 3+ hour commute home was made somewhat bearable because I got to listen to some of my backlog of podcasts. I would have had a shorter commute time if I had joined Harry Hill and drove the longer distance down to SD.

[Saba Slayer]

Here is a very simple rockfish release tool.
The bigger crate on the right is used on my skiff and the smaller basket is used from my PA. I put about 50' of rope on the basket and that gets it down past the first atmosphere and the fish can revive. I like this method because it's so much easier than having to handle and hook the fish on a descending device, plus I can drop two small fish at a time, or more than two on the skiff with the crate if a few guys are fishing.
Get those yummy fish tacos while you can...!

[Orca Winfrey]

Originally Posted by cris

Nice haul. I'm heading out of Dana tomorrow to try and get a feed too.

Let us know how you did. Good luck!

[Orca Winfrey]

Originally Posted by Saba Slayer

Here is a very simple rockfish release tool.
The bigger crate on the right is used on my skiff and the smaller basket is used from my PA. I put about 50' of rope on the basket and that gets it down past the first atmosphere and the fish can revive. I like this method because it's so much easier than having to handle and hook the fish on a descending device, plus I can drop two small fish at a time, or more than two on the skiff with the crate if a few guys are fishing.
Get those yummy fish tacos while you can...!

Brilliant. That's nice and simple. Thanks.

[makobob]

Originally Posted by Saba Slayer

Here is a very simple rockfish release tool.
The bigger crate on the right is used on my skiff and the smaller basket is used from my PA. I put about 50' of rope on the basket and that gets it down past the first atmosphere and the fish can revive. I like this method because it's so much easier than having to handle and hook the fish on a descending device, plus I can drop two small fish at a time, or more than two on the skiff with the crate if a few guys are fishing.
Get those yummy fish tacos while you can...!

VERY NICE rockfish release basket for the yak. Gives me an idea for releasing Cabrilla and grouper in Baja. Thank you!!!

[EastLosYaker]

Yup, so simple and so brilliant. I will definitely be using your idea.

[cris]

Originally Posted by Orca Winfrey

Let us know how you did. Good luck!

No luck on the rockfish but a great day on the water otherwise. Mini-macks were abundant outside the main breakwater which made for fun on the trout rod.

[King Saba]

Originally Posted by Saba Slayer

Here is a very simple rockfish release tool.
The bigger crate on the right is used on my skiff and the smaller basket is used from my PA. I put about 50' of rope on the basket and that gets it down past the first atmosphere and the fish can revive. I like this method because it's so much easier than having to handle and hook the fish on a descending device, plus I can drop two small fish at a time, or more than two on the skiff with the crate if a few guys are fishing.
Get those yummy fish tacos while you can...!

Thanks Jim! Not sure if I'll use the basket method since I don't have the luxury of large deck space like your PA. I'm thinking a fish grip and 16-24oz of lead should do the job.

[King Saba]

Originally Posted by david886720

Good eats!

For sure!

Originally Posted by cris

No luck on the rockfish but a great day on the water otherwise. Mini-macks were abundant outside the main breakwater which made for fun on the trout rod.

Gotta find that hard bottom and have some luck on your side lol!

[Orca Winfrey]

Originally Posted by cris

No luck on the rockfish but a great day on the water otherwise. Mini-macks were abundant outside the main breakwater which made for fun on the trout rod.

Any day on the water is a great day. Macs on ul setups are great fun and the occasional bonehead makes it even more fun.

[IN2DEEP]

Originally Posted by King Saba

Thanks Jim! Not sure if I'll use the basket method since I don't have the luxury of large deck space like your PA. I'm thinking a fish grip and 16-24oz of lead should do the job.

DIY
This works and takes up no room at all
Pinch the barb down on any hook
Use as much weight as needed

[octico]

I bought one of these, it works pretty good.

http://www.sheltonproducts.com/SFD.html

[King Saba]

Originally Posted by IN2DEEP

DIY
This works and takes up no room at all
Pinch the barb down on any hook
Use as much weight as needed

Thanks. That's what I've been using. I just didn't have enough weight on me that day.