Discussion Board
DFG Proposed Changes to Kelp Bass, Sand Bass, Spotted Bay Bass Fishery
Page
1,
2
Next
 |
 06/14/2012 10:42 AM
|
|
 |
tunavic1
Joined: 10/22/2009
Posts: 552
Location: Whittier Calif
|
re: DFG Proposed Changes to Kelp Bass, Sand Bass, Spotted Bay Bass Fishery
I love fishing for Calicos,and they are usually my target species since most of my fishing is inshore.
I've seen and heard and read of alot of abuse to this resource,I've been fishing the LB,SP,area and Redondo,for approximately 50yrs+and there is no doubt things have changed.
Even about 20yrs ago we used to go out to an area we called the 3/4mile spot,and catch and release 40-60 Calicos almost every-time we fished there.
Now were happy if we catch and release a handful between 2guys,of course there is still those far and few between days when the fish go off and you may catch and release a couple of limits,but I think any one who loves this resource,calicos and sandies,would have to agree we need some updated regulations,JMO.
Cya Tuna Vic
|
 |
 |
|
|
06/14/2012 11:29 AM
|
|
|
Pelagic Hunter
Joined: 04/20/2007
Posts: 4245
Location: Huntington Beach
|
re: DFG Proposed Changes to Kelp Bass, Sand Bass, Spotted Bay Bass Fishery
I agree Tunavic1. The cattle boats have been slaying them for years (especially during spawn season) and now they may have to pay the piper.
I remember when we used to get brown bait, small pompano, and spanish macks, mixed in with the live chovies and sardines at the bait barge / receiver back in the '70s and '80s. Calico fishing was pretty darn good then.
|
|
|
|
|
06/14/2012 11:35 AM
|
|
|
Brad_G
Joined: 02/14/2007
Posts: 7014
|
re: DFG Proposed Changes to Kelp Bass, Sand Bass, Spotted Bay Bass Fishery
I would support any or all of the listed options: 1) slot limit, 2) reduction of bag limit and 3) no harvesting during the spawn. Maybe just me, but I'm not a fan of boat limits either as they are a loophole for options 1 and 2.
Yes, it will further hurt the sport boats, which are already hurting. But IMHO if we don't rein in catches now, there will be none in the future, and that will whittle away at the sport fleet until its eliminated entirely. Look at how Mediterranean bluefin and swordfish catches have plummetted, and contrast that with how Alaska has maintained a healthy sport fishing industry.
Brad_G
Common Sense is not Common Enough
|
|
|
|
|
06/14/2012 12:22 PM
|
|
|
MarkT
Moderator
The Tackle Board
Joined: 04/22/2007
Posts: 7053
|
re: DFG Proposed Changes to Kelp Bass, Sand Bass, Spotted Bay Bass Fishery
I like the idea of a 12-20" slot limit and reduced bag limit... I can support 5 total with no more then 3 of 1 species for Bass. WSB limit of 1 year round would be fine too. I tanker is more than enough. This is actually management as opposed to the MLPA BS. With rules like these I don't know that a seasonal Sand Bass closure would be needed.
Mark
When I was your age Pluto was a Planet
|
|
|
|
|
06/14/2012 02:10 PM
|
|
|
Baja Dreamer
Moderator
Hunting Reports / Shooting Sports
Joined: 02/09/2004
Posts: 16227
|
re: DFG Proposed Changes to Kelp Bass, Sand Bass, Spotted Bay Bass Fishery
This has been a long time in coming and should probably have been done a while ago. A lot of the hardcore calico guys have been practicing catch and release for many years now. Even some of the sport boats used to weigh in big calicos on digital scales and then release them, but not nearly enough.
I recall almost 20 years ago fishing on dad's boat, there was a boiler rock we'd fish if we'd had a slow day. There were always a good number of calicos there including some sizable specimens. Two of the local 6 pack boats started taking notice of where we were fishing and six months after they started fishing the spot you couldn't buy a calico there anymore.
I'm all in favor of reduced catch limits and perhaps even the slot limits.
FISH AND HUNT HARD!
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
06/14/2012 03:03 PM
|
|
|
REK
Joined: 06/05/2007
Posts: 932
|
re: DFG Proposed Changes to Kelp Bass, Sand Bass, Spotted Bay Bass Fishery
Reduced bag limit would be fine by me. Who needs 10? Slot limit...always seemed like 12" fish was on the small side. Just to give the sporties a break, why not do it in increments? 13, 13-1/2, 14, 14-1/2, 15 or ??? inches on the minimum side to ??? maximum.
|
|
|
|
|
06/14/2012 04:27 PM
|
|
|
talltales
Joined: 10/21/2010
Posts: 5
|
re: DFG Proposed Changes to Kelp Bass, Sand Bass, Spotted Bay Bass Fishery
If the health of a species of fish can be adequately controlled with slot limits, smaller bag limits and seasonal closures, then why did we need the MLPA's at all? What fish are protected by them that cannot be protected by the same rules and limits that are proposed for bass? I would support the options on the table and whish this was the answer or alternative the MLPA's.
|
|
|
|
|
06/14/2012 09:19 PM
|
|
|
burbankbob
Joined: 10/06/2007
Posts: 158
|
re: DFG Proposed Changes to Kelp Bass, Sand Bass, Spotted Bay Bass Fishery
I agree that we need to change the rules - we've been though that before . . . but I still think the Humbolt squid did more harm to the sandbass in one year than the local sport boats have done. . .
|
|
|
|
|
06/15/2012 06:51 AM
|
|
|
Pelagic Hunter
Joined: 04/20/2007
Posts: 4245
Location: Huntington Beach
|
re: DFG Proposed Changes to Kelp Bass, Sand Bass, Spotted Bay Bass Fishery
talltales wrote:
If the health of a species of fish can be adequately controlled with slot limits, smaller bag limits and seasonal closures, then why did we need the MLPA's at all? What fish are protected by them that cannot be protected by the same rules and limits that are proposed for bass? I would support the options on the table and wish this was the answer or alternative the MLPA's.
You brought up an excellent point. There are going to be several public DFG meetings regarding the proposed changes for the bass at various locations before the end of this year. This would be great to bring up and mention to the DFG.
|
|
|
|
|
06/15/2012 09:12 AM
|
|
|
Hithard
Joined: 06/25/2004
Posts: 3933
|
re: DFG Proposed Changes to Kelp Bass, Sand Bass, Spotted Bay Bass Fishery
This is something that should have been done years ago. There is no reason any one angler needs to take ten bass IMHO. Catch and release all you want, keep the bleeders if you're fishing bait or catching them as by catch and let the rest go to grow.
DFG and the commission totally dropped the ball on this one years ago. Anyone reading the posts regarding this very question that has been posed here no less than ten times in the last five years knows that the majority of active posters here have no problem with revising these rules.
Catch'em, let'em go and catch'em again!
Mike on the BygBahd
21' Striper
|
|
|
|
|
06/16/2012 05:15 PM
|
|
|
sactotuna
Joined: 03/30/2007
Posts: 1332
|
re: DFG Proposed Changes to Kelp Bass, Sand Bass, Spotted Bay Bass Fishery
WOW! This is a very positive and timely thread, a chance to have input BEFORE the die is cast!
Let me throw some Sacramento (you know, where the State government is, and where so many of my friends and acquaintances work) spin out here . . .
The 4 page notice provides the 3 options on the table, slot limits are not one of them. New minimum sizes, new limits, and a spawning season closure are the 3 options. This is important because the lowly clerk staffers who will be opening your letters will have only those 3 boxes to check, and a black hole called "other".
The BEST way to have effective input is to first write a (very short) letter to the address in the second paragraph on page 2 expressing your preferred option. Then attend the FIRST meeting on Aug 8th. The first meeting is when we have the chance to be in FRONT of the issue decisions, and not behind (like MLPA). This would also be a good time to present letters and petitions. Real personal letters sent well in advance by regular mail have the most impact. Followed closely by the same delivered by hand at the first hearing. Form letters, group emails and petitions don't carry nearly the same weight as something someone sat down and wrote themselves.
As for the hearing, here's the thing. Some members of state government privately refer to public hearings as "the freak show". If you go to some proceedings up in Sacramento you'll start to agree a little bit. (OK maybe more than a little, who are these nuts and where do they come from?!?) The folks who get listened to are the ones who look and talk like they're reasonable, normal people.
I'll be writing a letter tomorrow and mailing it Monday morning . . . HOW ABOUT YOU?
Human beings, who are unique in their ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their disinclination to do so.
|
|
|
|
|
06/17/2012 09:55 PM
|
|
|
Whopperstopper
Joined: 04/20/2007
Posts: 71
Location: So Cal
|
re: DFG Proposed Changes to Kelp Bass, Sand Bass, Spotted Bay Bass Fishery
I've rarely ever kept any bass, usually only if they can't be released due to being hooked badly. So I really have no issue with managing the resource. However when looking at the historical data the DFG provides some questions come to mind, how does the decline in numbers correlate to the years following the giant squid? How does it correlate to bait supply? How does it correlate to the health of the kelp forest? How does it correlate to water temps? Also how are the fish counted, and has the reduction in anglers due to the economy created an artificial reduction in catch numbers?
I have run into many volunteers working for the DFG at the launch ramps collecting data on our catch, I notice they don't question all anglers and I have personally seen some people reply they caught nothing when in actuality they did. Just curious as to how the DFG is able to compare year after year when there are so many variables.
I've been fishing these waters for 40 years and it's obvious the fishing is nowhere what it used to be, but I've seen Albacore disappear for years then come back, Yellowfin and Bonita do the same, as well as Sardines and anchovies. I have to admit however what I have not seen a lot of lately are Blue Sharks. For fun we used to count the fins on our way to Catalina, I can't recall the last time I saw a Blue Shark so where did they go and why?
The ocean is a huge ecosystem and when we think we know what is gong on it completely changes and surprises us.
But on thing I don't have to be convinced of is that knowledge and a well thought out method of conservation is our best way to protect what we have so others after us can enjoy what we did.
This post edited by Whopperstopper 06/18/2012
|
|
|
|
|
06/22/2012 06:15 PM
|
|
|
reddog
Joined: 12/31/1999
Posts: 3678
|
re: DFG Proposed Changes to Kelp Bass, Sand Bass, Spotted Bay Bass Fishery
I certainly agree with changes to the bass limits. I too am old enough to remember when the bass fishery included bigger fish more often.
That said IMO the bass fishery is sustainable. DFG has said that for a long time. It is the quality that has certainly declined. Since in SoCal it has been a strickely recreational fishery for a LONG time we as fishermen are the problem. Not so much from putting too much pressure on the fishery but by not putting enough pressure on getting the bass regs updated a long time ago.
Engineer second class Seacock reporting for duty!
Kerry
|
|
|
|
|
|
