California Fishing Reports

Fishing report for item #1025.

Fishing Report:   Ahoy there one and all!!



I know I have not been writing much here recently due to all the time spent working with others at the PFMC council both for the salmon season last month and just finishing up the meetings this week for Rock Fishing. The first set of meetings was around the salmon and I know everyone did their part to make their voice heard. It does make a difference! We ended up with basically a full season for the salmon with just two days closed in the month of June and 2 days closed in July.



Unfortunately, the public’s perception is that the season is closed for both the recreational angler and also for the commercial. Well, I am here to tell you that WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!



Salmon fishing has gotten off to a slow start, but in the past week we are seeing a huge influx of fish moving into our area. This past weekend I was fishing up west of the harbor with everyone else and it was a very slow day with lots and lots of silvers (which we can’t keep), jellyfish, and weeds. So, on Sunday I decided to head south of the reef and go scouting. I was either going to be a bum or I was going to be a hero.



Running south of the reef and finding some friendly whales and some spots of bait I decided to give it a try. We hooked into a nice king which was about 15 lbs! A nice start! We continued to hook more fish and I put the word out to the other boats which were up the line about 15 miles and they ran down and ended the day in excellent shape. Riptide ended up with 20 salmon to 25 pounds for 11 anglers.



Now to this weeks Rock fishing meetings. After suffering some of the most devastating cutbacks since the restrictions took place we are starting to see a glimmer of light.

We will be able to fish out to 30 fathoms instead of only 20 fathoms which we have been so restricted to over the recent past. This will give us more area to fish! Which is a good thing both for us and for the fishery. This new regulation begins as of July 1st! So, make your reservations to rock fish now!!!!



Now, to next year’s season. We will be starting the rock fishing season next year (2007) in JUNE!!!!!!!!!!!! This will still be a 6 month season so we end up losing December. But if we are all good boys and girls and are able to NOT catch the canaries we can have the possibility of opening December. Being able to fish both rock fish and salmon during June will provide more diversity for our clients.



The different regions of the state had to work hard and sometimes in frustration to hammer out what we thought would be the best options for the whole state. We have the most diverse waters of any state in the union - from the warm waters off San Diego to the cold waters off Eureka – there are 5 different regions and all have different needs.



Representatives from each area went to the Council with a plan that we forged collaboratively and which fit into the parameters provided but the State representative of California would not endorse our option. We followed with public testimony and with a united agreement for all regions of the state, we presented a strong case.



Roger Thomas who represents the GGFA and sits on the Council gave a strong argument to the Council in favor of our proposals, with Mr Tisehust seconding his amendment it carried forward to give us the season we all wanted and need.



I want to thank Roger for helping push forward the season developed by the GAP sub-committee and affiliated representatives. This gives us the best opportunity for the 07/08 season.



Now, let’s go catch some fish!



Thank you


Capt. Smitty
www.riptide.net
415-469-8433

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