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California Spearfishing Talk here about spearfishing on California's Pacific Coast, and post those reports and photos! |
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03-13-2008, 08:28 PM | #1 |
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WSB - Where They Were (& Where Are We?)
From the books:
White seabass were frequently taken north of their typical range during the 1957-58 El Niņo Southern Oscillation (ENSO); They were typically uncommon north of Point Conception, but were abundant off San Francisco in 1958 and numerous off Monterey in 1959. Catches were reported off Oregon, Alaska, and British Columbia in 1957 and 1958. The range of white seabass has contracted with a decrease in population from the 1950s to the 1980s. Commercial passenger fishing vessel (charter boat) catches in southern California in the 1980s were only 3% of what they were from 1947-59. Isolated catches were made off California and Oregon in 1983. Some things to think about. |
03-13-2008, 08:31 PM | #2 |
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Re: WSB - Where They Were (& Where Are We?)
that reminds of the idea of shifting baselines.
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03-13-2008, 09:05 PM | #3 |
Shallow Water Hunter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Morro Bay
Posts: 2,851
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Re: WSB - Where They Were (& Where Are We?)
WSB are not scarce of Point C, just wsb hunters.
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03-13-2008, 09:55 PM | #4 |
Fishimis Decimus
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Re: WSB - Where They Were (& Where Are We?)
I worked with a guy who caught a 31# WSB in monterey around 4-5 years back...was on a yak with R&R
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03-13-2008, 10:04 PM | #5 |
Simi Valley Spearo
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Simi Valley
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Re: WSB - Where They Were (& Where Are We?)
Chip - This is all god info and all, but what would you do to change it? change limits? stop taking all together? What?
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03-13-2008, 10:09 PM | #6 | |
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Re: WSB - Where They Were (& Where Are We?)
Quote:
No need to change anything currently with white sea bass. They are making a great recovery with the programs put in place. Biggest change was getting rid of the near shore gill nets. Hubbs grow out program is starting to see results. And on a positive note, a knucklehead like me can even manage to see them on a regular basis. |
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03-13-2008, 10:16 PM | #7 |
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Re: WSB - Where They Were (& Where Are We?)
OK. If you send me a PM and tell me where, I promise not to spread it around.
Last edited by Bill McIntyre; 03-13-2008 at 10:27 PM. |
03-13-2008, 10:20 PM | #8 |
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Re: WSB - Where They Were (& Where Are We?)
I know people who fish for them and catch them every year up here in Morro. They spend less time in kelp beds here, though. They are usually out chasing bait. There are often a few caught even in April by salmon fishermen. As far as additional limits, I really don't see any need as long as they are continuing to increase.
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03-13-2008, 11:16 PM | #9 |
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Re: WSB - Where They Were (& Where Are We?)
They are more whites every year, and are getting bigger.
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03-14-2008, 12:12 AM | #10 |
twentytwomonk
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Re: WSB - Where They Were (& Where Are We?)
I always keep my fingers crossed that I stumble across one in one of the beds up here, but I'm not counting on it. I've heard stories of guys seeing them, but I'll believe it when I see it.
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03-14-2008, 01:53 AM | #11 |
.
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Re: WSB - Where They Were (& Where Are We?)
I heard from two very reliable sources of WSB schools being seen at Pedro Point, Pacifica (Slightly south from San Fran.)
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03-14-2008, 03:45 AM | #12 |
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Re: WSB - Where They Were (& Where Are We?)
As seabass stocks appear to be rebounding quite well, there probably isn't a mandate for changing anything. Presumably, the rate of recovery could increase if effort (and catch levels) were reduced. But again, the stocks do not appear to require that. Whether it would be desirable for other reasons is another matter.
However, this type of information, and the geographic shifts in stocks and ranges may have some implications for whether or not to include coastal pelagics like white seabass, yellowtail, barracuda etc. in the restrictions of MPAs. It certainly warrants discussion of whether such stocks benefit, and if so, how?, from MPAs. And if MPAs, as currently being implemented, are the most effective means for benefiting the stocks? This is just one area in which spearfishers can work to help craft management plans and protected areas that are designed to TRULY help fishery stocks. We have the selectivity available to us, if we use it properly, to be able to not impact other species. We can swim through an area and target only pelagic and coastal pelagic species. Can't we? On a slightly related note -- there were skinny green/blue/gold fish being caught off of Oregon last year. Hmmm? |
03-14-2008, 07:05 AM | #13 |
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Re: WSB - Where They Were (& Where Are We?)
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03-14-2008, 10:02 AM | #14 |
twentytwomonk
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Re: WSB - Where They Were (& Where Are We?)
It caught me off guard when I saw on bloodydecks that they were taking them as far north as Eureka, but from what I've been told, that happens every year. Might be time to plan a trip up north!
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03-14-2008, 10:02 AM | #15 |
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Re: WSB - Where They Were (& Where Are We?)
As of a few years ago, an FDL member from Santa Cruz was taking them with some regularity there. As I recall, he had Scott Merlo make him a gun with the handle way up forward because of the low vis.
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