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

dsafety · 04-16-2010, 07:14 PM

I have not had much luck catching any keepers lately. Saturday, I plan to hit the water again. I will spend a little time trying to catch the right kind but if I get no love early, I plan to head into the kelp to try my luck at bass.

Here is the question. I cannot remember the last time I kept a Calico. I usually try to only take home the faster growing, bigger guys like YT or WSB. Unfortunately, my freezer is just about empty and I would really like to see some fresh fish on the table. I have been told that Calicos grow very slowly and that one should always release the really big ones as they are the brood stock.

Those who know me know that I am a big fan of C & R. I would certainly not want impact the fishery by indiscriminately harvesting something that should be left alone. Assuming that my statement above is true, I would like to hear what people have to say about reasonable Calico harvesting. If I want to keep a few fish to eat, does anyone have any guidelines as to what to keep and what to release.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Bob

T Bone · 04-16-2010, 07:29 PM

Well when I keep bass,I start at 14" because 12 is just not worth it.At the upper end,I have found that when bass get about 4# say 18" or so they get tougher and I think that is also about max.16" would be Ideal.

Jimmyz123 · 04-16-2010, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsafety

I have not had much luck catching any keepers lately. Saturday, I plan to hit the water again. I will spend a little time trying to catch the right kind but if I get no love early, I plan to head into the kelp to try my luck at bass.

Here is the question. I cannot remember the last time I kept a Calico. I usually try to only take home the faster growing, bigger guys like YT or WSB. Unfortunately, my freezer is just about empty and I would really like to see some fresh fish on the table. I have been told that Calicos grow very slowly and that one should always release the really big ones as they are the brood stock.

Those who know me know that I am a big fan of C & R. I would certainly not want impact the fishery by indiscriminately harvesting something that should be left alone. Assuming that my statement above is true, I would like to hear what people have to say about reasonable Calico harvesting. If I want to keep a few fish to eat, does anyone have any guidelines as to what to keep and what to release.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Bob

Drop to the bottom in the kelp and pick up some of the Kelp Rock fish. 1, they are better tasting thank Calicos, and 2, you don't have to keep any Calicos. Now I'm all for doing what is legal and all that and you are allowed 5 per bag right? However Rockfish you are allowed 10. You may score a Lingcod also. That's what I would do. But I would have a surface rod going in the event the bottom critters are not playing too well.

Does that help any?

dsafety · 04-16-2010, 08:35 PM

From what I have been told, the rockfish population is one of the few that is really in decline in La Jolla and elsewhere in California. My guess is that this is due in part to the fact that they are sometimes really easy to catch and as a result the party boats load up on them to please their guests. I think I will pass on rockfish.

Lings are another story. They are one of the tastiest fish in the sea but I have not yet figured out how to catch one. Maybe that will be my target this time out.

Bob

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, 07:14 PM	#1
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	When to keep a Calico? I have not had much luck catching any keepers lately. Saturday, I plan to hit the water again. I will spend a little time trying to catch the right kind but if I get no love early, I plan to head into the kelp to try my luck at bass. Here is the question. I cannot remember the last time I kept a Calico. I usually try to only take home the faster growing, bigger guys like YT or WSB. Unfortunately, my freezer is just about empty and I would really like to see some fresh fish on the table. I have been told that Calicos grow very slowly and that one should always release the really big ones as they are the brood stock. Those who know me know that I am a big fan of C & R. I would certainly not want impact the fishery by indiscriminately harvesting something that should be left alone. Assuming that my statement above is true, I would like to hear what people have to say about reasonable Calico harvesting. If I want to keep a few fish to eat, does anyone have any guidelines as to what to keep and what to release. Thanks in advance for any advice. Bob

04-16-2010, 07:29 PM	#2
T Bone Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Redlands CA Posts: 871	Well when I keep bass,I start at 14" because 12 is just not worth it.At the upper end,I have found that when bass get about 4# say 18" or so they get tougher and I think that is also about max.16" would be Ideal. __________________ Barachit Baralah,Elohim-In the beginning,God-Genesis 1:1 "Who among you,if your son asked for a fish would give them a serpent " Jesus Matt. 7:10

04-16-2010, 08:47 PM	#5
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	#6
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. __________________

04-16-2010, 08:35 PM	#4
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	From what I have been told, the rockfish population is one of the few that is really in decline in La Jolla and elsewhere in California. My guess is that this is due in part to the fact that they are sometimes really easy to catch and as a result the party boats load up on them to please their guests. I think I will pass on rockfish. Lings are another story. They are one of the tastiest fish in the sea but I have not yet figured out how to catch one. Maybe that will be my target this time out. Bob

04-17-2010, 11:51 AM	#7
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