When to keep a Calico? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Tman · 04-16-2010, 08:47 PM

Well I prob will get alot of flak for this one, but...
they taste great for fish tacos.
2nd only to surf perch IMHO...

And if you have ever dove Catalina, you would know that they would not be put on the endangered species list in our near future...

Limit is 10, but I think it should be reduced to 5, ideally 3 would be better.
But then the party boats would go out of business.

Useful Idiot · 04-17-2010, 10:35 AM

I've always been told 12-16" is the best on the fishery, and avoid killing the large breeders. I haven't killed a calico in years, but I see nothing wrong with keeping one here and there, they do make good tacos. Can't say I'd be ok with somebody filling a limit every trip though, there's other fish in the sea if you want taco makings.

miguelitro · 04-17-2010, 11:51 AM

I only keep them if they are between 14-16 inches and I plan on eating the meat that same day. If I am gonna freeze the meat then I dont really need it so they get released.
Since I usually fish the area in front of my house on Law St. so I dont have to drive I fish for and catch a lot of Calico bass, often 5-10 per trip. I usually keep 1 for lunch/dinner and then any other legals that get gut hooked or are not gonna make it.

I believe the limits for calicos should be 3, with an upper limit of 16 or 18 and a lower limit of 14.
well, that is my dos pesos,
Mike

04-16-2010, 08:47 PM	#1
Tman BRTF...bought & paid... Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,247	Well I prob will get alot of flak for this one, but... they taste great for fish tacos. 2nd only to surf perch IMHO... And if you have ever dove Catalina, you would know that they would not be put on the endangered species list in our near future... Limit is 10, but I think it should be reduced to 5, ideally 3 would be better. But then the party boats would go out of business. __________________ Adios Tman Gaffer for Clay the Fishcatcher

04-17-2010, 10:35 AM	#2
Useful Idiot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 286	I've always been told 12-16" is the best on the fishery, and avoid killing the large breeders. I haven't killed a calico in years, but I see nothing wrong with keeping one here and there, they do make good tacos. Can't say I'd be ok with somebody filling a limit every trip though, there's other fish in the sea if you want taco makings. __________________

04-17-2010, 11:51 AM	#3
miguelitro Team Bad Habits Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 119	I only keep them if they are between 14-16 inches and I plan on eating the meat that same day. If I am gonna freeze the meat then I dont really need it so they get released. Since I usually fish the area in front of my house on Law St. so I dont have to drive I fish for and catch a lot of Calico bass, often 5-10 per trip. I usually keep 1 for lunch/dinner and then any other legals that get gut hooked or are not gonna make it. I believe the limits for calicos should be 3, with an upper limit of 16 or 18 and a lower limit of 14. well, that is my dos pesos, Mike