Sculpin Regs

[Bank Robber]

Hey, When I read the regs it looks like sculpin are closed right now .....am I correct?????

[Jason]

2007 California Ocean Recreational Fishing Regulations

Closed right now to boat based anglers.

[Bank Robber]

hmm maybe someone should tell our local landings ........looks like a couple hundred were landed yesterday.

[Double Z]

Originally Posted by Bank Robber

hmm maybe someone should tell our local landings ........looks like a couple hundred were landed yesterday.

Mex?

[Bank Robber]

nope ........I saw the patriot yesterday and they were fishing newport artificial.

[Bank Robber]

I just called newport landing and I guess DFG has put them back in the year round category. I wish I would have known this yesterday.

[BigJoe]

Very interesting that someone would give out false information like that. They are definately closed for boat based anglers until March 1 of this year in the southern region. Believe me I keep on top of information like this. I do notice however that several landings are posting sculpin in there counts, maybe time for me to check my sources?

[ladynglr]

sculpin have never been closed! the new ca regs were on the desk to be signed and weren't. if you look at dfg, they say to use the 06 regulations which haven't changed except for sculpin. however, they don't say what the sculpin rules are. they are year round. until the ca regs were/are signed into order, southern california went under federal guidelines. that info can be obtained on the noaa website (aka national marine fisheries).

[cappo]

Today I was talking to one of the deckies from one of the marina del rey boats, he said theyre still catching sculpins. I sure hope they know whats going on.

[BigJoe]

Very interesting, thanks for the information they make pretty good tacos!

[whammy]

how about sheephead? what are the regs? are they out ofs eason w/ the rockfish?

[BigJoe]

OK I finally talked to my sources and the way they interpreted the information was completely different inside the DFG. However since on January 18, 2007 the groundfish laws were signed by the OAL, Sculpin are now open 12 months out of the year with depth restrictions during certain parts of the year. The remaining species the rules stayed pretty much the same and most are closed. The updated information for 2007 will be posted in the next couple days on the DFG website.

BTW the intent of the message on the DFG website stating other than California Scorpionfish was intended to indicate there was going to be a change with that species this year. However since the OAL had not signed it into law yet the 2006 regulation was in affect and fishing for Sculpin was closed. The enforcement division could have easily cited anyone for fishing for them before the season opened however they were instructed to issue warnings instead

Be prepared to carry your rockfish chart with you again this year to make sure you are at the right depth at the right time and have the right gear and limits