Proposed reg changes 2010 from WDFW

[Rockfish]

Here is an email that I received from WDFW today,

"Hi Everyone

Information about the 2010-2012 sportfishing rule change proposal process has been posted on our website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/rule_proposals/index.htm.

Please read the introductory page for information about times and places to discuss these proposals and instructions on how to provide comments or testimony.

The information posted includes a list of the proposals supported by staff, and a list of proposals that were either modified or not supported, with an explanation for each. The proposals supported by staff include an appendix with 15 spreadsheets detailing the fishing opportunity that would be available under the new stream strategy proposal for streams draining into Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Thank you for your involvement in this process and we welcome your attendance at the meetings and your comments on the proposals.





Patricia Michael

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

(360) 902-2628

patricia.michael@dfw.wa.gov"

The short story is that they want to change the open days for crab from Wednesday thru Saturday to FrIday thru Monday and reduce the limit to 4 from 5.

They want to extend the lingcod spearfishing season to match the hook and line and impose size limits like hook and line. Not sure how I am going to measure a ling cod before I shoot it but I am sure that the brilliant minds that are at WDFW will let us know.

Mike

[CaptnJack]

I can see their motivation. Spearos are taking the short fish so they aren't growing up to be >26" and accessible to hook & line might be viewed as less than equitable. Unfortunately spearos are left with shooting fish that are clearly >26" or shooting fish, measuring them and leaving any <26" fish in the water - which kinda defeats the purpose...

[pensacoladiver]

I have 2 marks on my gun in bright pink that are 24 inches apart (min size for Ling in area 4). Of course the fish don't let me get close enough to be exact, but if I am angled right, I can tell if it is good size or not.

I won't mention any names, but I have had to chastize a few folks out there for bringing in Lings that were under 24 inches. I don't care how "close" they are to 24, if they are 1/64th of an inch too short, they go right back in the water. Bad part is, they are dead.

I now preface all my spearo trips out there with the statement "If you don't know what 24 inches is, don't shoot any Ling".

[Sounder]

I have 2 marks on my gun in bright pink that are 24 inches apart (min size for Ling in area 4). Of course the fish don't let me get close enough to be exact, but if I am angled right, I can tell if it is good size or not.

I won't mention any names, but I have had to chastize a few folks out there for bringing in Lings that were under 24 inches. I don't care how "close" they are to 24, if they are 1/64th of an inch too short, they go right back in the water. Bad part is, they are dead.

I now preface all my spearo trips out there with the statement "If you don't know what 24 inches is, don't shoot any Ling".

A 36" ling is a great fish for eating. When I spear, that's my target size. Not a big one, and not too small. Meat is firm and tender, no excessive worms, and can be landed fairly easily upon taking the shot.

[pensacoladiver]

I have 2 marks on my gun in bright pink that are 24 inches apart (min size for Ling in area 4). Of course the fish don't let me get close enough to be exact, but if I am angled right, I can tell if it is good size or not.

I won't mention any names, but I have had to chastize a few folks out there for bringing in Lings that were under 24 inches. I don't care how "close" they are to 24, if they are 1/64th of an inch too short, they go right back in the water. Bad part is, they are dead.

I now preface all my spearo trips out there with the statement "If you don't know what 24 inches is, don't shoot any Ling".

A 36" ling is a great fish for eating. When I spear, that's my target size. Not a big one, and not too small. Meat is firm and tender, no excessive worms, and can be landed fairly easily upon taking the shot.

A 36" Ling can and does from time to time put up one hell of a fight. I agree that is a PERFECT size. I have taken a few bigger, and before I shoot, I have to get myself psyched up just a bit for the fight. I say to myself "are you ready for this, cause God forbid if you don't stone him".

I also have yet to find any worms in any of my Lings. Knock on wood.

[coachrenz]

The issue I have with the crab season changing dates is that all the yahoo crabbers are out on the weekends.

I crabbed a lot this season, at the beginning of the season if I left my pots out on Friday night, I would likely either lose one on Saturday when I went to pull them or they would have been checked and emptied before I got there. I pulled up to one just as a guy was getting ready to pull it. I had no troubles at all, as long as I pulled the pots out of the water on Friday night before the "Weekend Warriors" could get to them.

There is just no honor with the people out fishing only on the weekend. During the week, only the hard core fishermen would be out and none of them would ever think of touching another person's pot.

[CaptnJack]

A 36" ling is a great fish for eating. When I spear, that's my target size. Not a big one, and not too small. Meat is firm and tender, no excessive worms, and can be landed fairly easily upon taking the shot.

Sounder when was the last time you went spearing anyway?