I agree. The regulations are overly complicated and poorly explained. I think this DFG webpage is the most useful:
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/mapregs5.asp
Note, that this site is for the southern management area only
And this one for "groundfish" (which doesn't include halibut. ?):
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/bfregs2010.asp
And here is a pdf with color pictures of most of the rockfish you should be concerned with (including the bronzespotted):
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pdfs/fishid2010.pdf