20 February 3 , 2023 VOL . 42 • ISS . 2

SALTWATER REPORTS :

CONTINUED FROM PG 19

( Point Arena ) and 37 ° 11 ’ N . latitude ( Pigeon Point ): For nearshore rockfish , cabezon and greenlings : closed Jan . 1 through July 15 , open at all depths July 16 through Dec . 31 . For all other rockfish ( shelf and slope species ) and lingcod : closed Jan . 1 through May 14 . From May 15 through July 15 , take of shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod is open seaward of the 50 fathom RCA line . Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom RCA line . From July 16 through Dec . 31 , open at all depths . Mendocino Management Area between 40 ° 10 ’ N . latitude ( near Cape Mendocino ) and 38 ° 57.5 ’ N . latitude ( Point Arena ) For nearshore rockfish , cabezon and greenlings : closed Jan . 1 through July 15 , open at all depths July 16 through Dec . 31 .

Flash Back ! It won ’ t be long until the big stripers start showing up in our rivers ! Take a picture and release the big ones so they can spawn ! Photo Courtesy of Barebones Guide Service

For all other rockfish ( shelf and slope species ) and lingcod : closed Jan . 1 through May 14 . From May 15 through July 15 , take of shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod is open seaward of the 50 fathom RCA line . Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom RCA line . From July 16 through Dec . 31 , open at all depths . Northern Management Area between the California / Oregon state line and 40 ° 10 ’ N . latitude ( near Cape Mendocino ): For rockfish , cabezon , greenlings and lingcod : closed Jan . 1 through May 14 , open at all depths May 15 through Oct . 15 , closed Oct . 16 through Dec . 31 . Anglers will need to identify rockfish species they catch , and beginning in 2023 , be able to determine if the fish is categorized as a nearshore ( PDF )( opens in new tab ), shelf ( PDF )( opens in new tab ) or slope ( PDF )( opens in new tab ) rockfish species , as different seasons and depths apply to each category depending on the Groundfish Management Area and month . The RCG bag limit will remain at

10 fish in combination of rockfish , cabezon and greenlings , with subbag limits of not more than four vermilion ( PDF )( opens in new tab ) rockfish , one copper ( PDF )( opens in new tab ) rockfish and one quillback ( PDF )( opens in new tab ) rockfish . Take and possession of cowcod , yelloweye and bronzespotted rockfish will remain prohibited . “ The new groundfish regulations are a significant departure from the fishing seasons and depth limits that anglers are accustomed to and are necessary due to scientific information suggesting that copper rockfish and quillback rockfish populations are in severe decline ,” the CDFW stated . “ The season structures for each management area were developed in consultation with fishing industry representatives , non-governmental organizations and state , federal and tribal governments , and were designed to provide the greatest amount of groundfish fishing time and opportunity to anglers throughout the year .” There are also changes for several species that have been subject to boat-based closures in the past , which may offer new alternatives for boat-based anglers as early as January . They include : New year-round opportunities : ocean whitefish , California scorpionfish , leopard shark , soupfin shark , Dover sole , English sole , arrowtooth flounder , spiny dogfish , skates , ratfish , grenadiers , finescale codling , Pacific cod , Pacific whiting , sablefish and thornyheads will now be open year-round in all depths , statewide . To meet harvest goals , the recreational groundfish fishery is subject to in-season regulatory changes . Please stay informed by visiting CDFW ’ s summary of recreational groundfish fishing regulations webpage before fishing : https :// wildlife . ca . gov

- Dan Bacher

MONTEREY BAY

Crab and Sanddab / Petrale Sole Combos Yield Good Results

MONTEREY – The Monterey charter boats are embarking on crab and sanddab / petrale sole trips , now that the temporary ban on crab traps for the recreational fishery has been lifted by the CDFW .. The 13 anglers aboard the Check Mate checked in with “ lots of sanddabs ,” 18 crab , 10 petrale sole and 30 mackerel during a combo trip on Jan . 21 , according to Chris Arcoleo of Chris ’ Fishing Trips . The 5 anglers fishing aboard the Checkmate on Jan . 24 bagged “ lots of sanddabs ” and 40 crab on Jan . 24 . The 15 anglers caught “ lots of sanddabs ” and 80 petrale sole on a trip aboard the Checkmate on Jan . 27 . “ The restrictions on crabbing have been lifted ,” said Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine in Santa Cruz . “ You

It is already February and before you know it salmon season will be here . Now is a great time to make sure you have the right gear and to make adjustments to what you did last season .

Photo Courtesy of Ernie Marlan

can now use crab pots with a crab pot endorsement fee and license . The storms have made the harbor mouth shoal in . There have only been some drone pictures of the entrance due to high surf . We will keep you posted , but at this time it is not recommended to use the entrance .” The California Department of Fish and Wildlife ( CDFW ) lifted the Dungeness crab trap prohibition in Fishing Zones 3-6 ( all areas south of the Sonoma / Mendocino county line ) for the recreational fishery on Jan . 14 , 2023 . The CDFW lifted the 50 percent commercial fishery trap reduction in Fishing Zones 3-6 on Jan . 15 , 2023 at 8:01 a . m . The current 50 percent trap reduction for the commercial fishery and trap prohibition in the recreational fishery will remain in place

until lifted on the respective dates . Based on available data and as indicated by historical migration patterns , humpback whale abundance is at or near a seasonal low within the Dungeness crab fishing grounds . As a result , CDFW Director Charlton H . Bonham is lifting the trap restrictions in Fishing Zones 3-6 for both fisheries because of lowered entanglement risk . However , a Fleet Advisory will be issued for the recreational fishery and will be continued for the commercial fishery to remain vigilant and avoid setting gear in areas where whales are transiting or foraging . All anglers are also strongly encouraged to follow best practices , as described in the Best Practices Guide ( opens in new tab ). CDFW anticipates the next risk assessment will take place in mid- February 2023 . For more information related to the risk assessment process , please visit CDFW ’ s Whale Safe Fisheries page or for more information on the Dungeness crab fishery , please visit wildlife . ca . gov / crab . For more information regarding the 2022-2023 commercial Dungeness crab season , please see CDFW ’ s Frequently Asked Questions ( opens in new tab ). due to major damage to the wharf from the “ bomb cyclone ” storms .

- Dan Bacher

Small Groups • Great Rates

The Bay ’ s Best Crew !

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707-342-8481 • www . crocsport . com

Watermelon on Krome

Excellent Sturgeon , Bass and Shark Fishing !

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