Good day for firsts
 

Did my first beach launch and landing today from CDM.
The waves were ankle high going out and waist high coming in. Waist high that is when your sitting in the kayak. Did get sideways a little on the landing but managed to pull it out.
Went out to the deep water outside of Newport harbor looking for rockfish. Didn't have a fish finder so went out about 3/4 a mile. I dropped my first line just as a crabber went by pulling up his cages so I knew I had found some rocks. Dropped down squid and mackerel. The first fish came up on the mackerel... a mackerel.
The next one hit the squid. It was a good size sheepshead, my first sheep head and my first decent fish while rockfishing.
Had a pretty constant nibble the whole morning. Managed a unidentified fish (another first) and another mackerel. Had something else too which was big but only got it half way up.
<a href="http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/dark_knight_9c11/media/IMG_0743_zps6ifgxtmj.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah93/dark_knight_9c11/IMG_0743_zps6ifgxtmj.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0743_zps6ifgxtmj.jpg"/></a>
Can anyone identify the smaller fish? It was unusual because it had skin like a shark. Smooth one way and sandpaper the other.
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This is how the addiction begins.

X2. I hate losing the big ones before I can see what they are.

If the waves at CDM are too big, you can always launch from the baby beach in the harbor. It's not too far from the harbor mouth and you can harass spotties or catch macs for bait at the bait barge (if it's still there) on your way out.

I've launched form multiple public boat docks in the harbor including the one at baby beach on the end of the peninsula. Also the coast guard station. This time I wanted to try the surf launch since the waves were so small. It was worth the experience in case I ever make it out to La Jolla. It also saved me 15 minute or so each way of paddling but cost me $9 for parking.
I usually fish from shore off the end of the CDM jetty. I know exactly where the Macs are if I need them for bait. The two Macs I got were trolled on the way in hoping for a thrasher.

Smaller fish is a baby black sea bass. Has been illegal to take for years
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JK, it's a whitefish. One rule I go by is I release everything I can't identify or don't know the limits on. Easy rule to stay out of trouble

Nice. Love bottom fishing. You never know what you're gonna pull up. Your mystery fish is a whitefish. They can be bitter tasting sometimes due to their diet.

Ah. I understand.

Hi what is CDM?
Are you just dropping down chunks of mackerel?
What lb test do you use out there?

Thanks

Corona Del Mar?

Yes, CDM is Corona Del Mar. it's just on the south side of the entrance to Newport Harbor.
I was using whole frozen squid that day. I put out half mackerels too and had one stolen but that's all
I usually use Macs for batrays and leopard sharks. I also fish off the jetty there for more of the same.
Had the fortune to hook up a yellow tail on a live greenback while on the jetty. I always fish with big bait. You never know what your going to catch.
I've lost a lot of fish to broken fishing line. I started with 40 lb mono. I'm now up to 80 lb braid (which I've already broke once) with a 60 lb mono topper. This seems to work. I also use a 60lb cable leader and a thick 5/0 hook. I bent a thin 4/0 on the yellowtail trying to pull it up on the jetty.

Sheephead Season is CLOSED 1-1-17 to 3-1-17
 

I hate to bust your cherry excitement BUT...

Per DFG website: "California Sheephead

This fishery is currently closed for boat-based angling.

The recreational fishery for California sheephead (Semicossyphus pulcher) is open year-round to divers and shore-based anglers. The fishery is closed to boat-based anglers as of January 1, 2017, and is expected to reopen on March 1, 2017. California sheephead may only be taken or possessed in waters less than 360 feet (60 fathoms) deep. The daily bag and possession limit is 5 fish, with a minimum size limit of 12 inches total length."

As Jorge said.. best to release everything you don't know what it is or what the rules are.

A week before year end I caught the biggest sculpin I have ever seen. I had to let it go as the season was closed until January 1st. I knew this because I had checked before heading out that day.

Throughout the year I refresh what seasons are open and what are closed by checking with DFG: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/...g-Map/southern

I had planned to post the exact same info, until I saw the original post date. Back in late december.

Tripped up by technology again
 

Thanks Brandon...

I missed the original post date.

Dark Knight congrats on your legal take just before the closure. I hope you enjoyed your first sheepshead.

I will be fishing these waters when the rockfish closure is lifted. If you see me feel free to paddle splash me.