It's official:
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 07:070 Sept. 14, 2007
Contact: John Budrick, Associate Marine Biologist, (650) 413-1501
DFG Announces Changes to the 2007 Recreational Fishing Regulations for
the Area from Pigeon Point to the Oregon Border Effective Oct. 1
The sport fishery for rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, and greenlings will
close from Pigeon Point to the Oregon Border (North and North-Central
Management Areas) on Oct. 1. Shore-based anglers and divers are not
affected by this action, announced the California Department of Fish and
Game (DFG). The closure will remain in effect through the end of the
calendar year. DFG approved these conforming fisheries management
measures following the adoption of similar regulations for federal
waters by the Pacific Fishery Management Council at their meeting on
Sept. 13, 2007. Seasons and other recreational fishing regulations will
remain in effect for these species in areas south of Pigeon Point (See
2007 California Ocean Sport Fishing regulations booklet, Sections
27.35-27.50).
Recreational catch estimates through July, and projected catches for
the remainder of the year, indicate that harvest guidelines will be
exceeded for canary and yelloweye rockfish (“overfished” species) if
these measures are not taken. Factors that led to the increase in
projected catches include redistribution of recreational fishing effort
to the northern areas where canary and yelloweye rockfishes are more
common, poor salmon catches resulting in salmon fishermen switching to
groundfish, and an increase in the daily catch rate per angler for
yelloweye and canary rockfish. Exceeding California’s recreational
harvest guidelines for these species could jeopardize rebuilding of
these species to healthy population levels.
“While we are aware that a shortened season will affect sport
anglers, we are also concerned that failure to take action at this time
would jeopardize the future rebuilding success for these important
“overfished” species,” said Marija Vojkovich, marine region
manager.
Under current management measures, the Director of DFG has the
authority to take in-season action deemed necessary to prevent catches
from exceeding federal harvest limits. As a result, beginning Oct. 1,
2007 the seasons and depth restrictions for boat-based anglers in the
Northern and North-Central Management Areas will include:
Northern Management Area (Oregon border south to 40°10' north latitude
near Cape Mendocino in Mendocino County): CLOSED - Fishing for rockfish,
cabezon, greenlings and lingcod is closed to boat-based anglers
beginning Oct. 1, 2007.
North-Central Management Area (40°10’ north latitude near Cape
Mendocino in Mendocino County to 37°11’ north latitude near Pigeon Pt.
in San Mateo County): CLOSED - Fishing for rockfish, cabezon,
greenlings and lingcod is closed to boat-based anglers beginning Oct. 1,
2007.
Regulations for all Management Areas south of 37 degrees 11’ north
latitude: Seasons remain as noted in the 2007 California Ocean Sport
Fishing regulations booklet.
For more detailed information about the action taken by the Pacific
Fishery Management Council visit
www.pcouncil.org.For more detailed information regarding recreational groundfish
regulations and to stay informed of in-season regulation changes, call
the Groundfish Hotline (831) 649-2801, or visit the Marine Region Web
site at
www.dfg.ca.gov/marine.MtnHtr
I'm thinking an Avet SX or MX would be about perfect. I've been doing enough jigging this year to realize I really want some lighter tackle. I have the gap between my pool stick butt rods and salmon rods that'll be well filled with an all purpose jigging rod, something stout enough for buts and slender enough for salmon, rockfish et al.