Catch and Release Yellowtail

[Iceman]

Love that shot Ken, think that was after striking out looking for tuna off La Jolla, I highly recommend this hands free technique for juvenile WSB as they are super fragile!

[Salty Paw]

Question - I've always been operating under the rule that you couldn't take YTs <24", but someone recently pointed out the full language of the regs, which state:

"The minimum size limit is 24 inches fork length, except that up to five fish less than 24 inches fork length may be taken or possessed."

Does that really mean there is no size limit if you're taking <5 fish? Do people actually keep small ones?

[FoodGeekFish]

Originally Posted by Salty Paw

Does that really mean there is no size limit if you're taking <5 fish?

Yes

Originally Posted by Salty Paw

Do people actually keep small ones?

Also, yes

[monstahfish]

I'd say I release more than I keep by a good margin. I also only fish circle hooks with bait as it's a cleaner release. My freezer is almost empty though so I may keep my next one if I remember to bring my cooler bag.

[globalwad]

I actually don't keep any fish, gross. But man are they fun to catch!

[chris138]

Originally Posted by monstahfish

I'd say I release more than I keep by a good margin. I also only fish circle hooks with bait as it's a cleaner release. My freezer is almost empty though so I may keep my next one if I remember to bring my cooler bag.

Great tip about the circle hooks!

[monstahfish]

Originally Posted by chris138

Great tip about the circle hooks!

One thing to remember when using circles that has turned a lot of people off to them; don't set the hook. Just let the fish swallow the bait for 3-5 mississippis and engage the drag, the hook will set itself right in the corner of the mouth.

[FISH11]

Originally Posted by monstahfish

One thing to remember when using circles that has turned a lot of people off to them; don't set the hook. Just let the fish swallow the bait for 3-5 mississippis and engage the drag, the hook will set itself right in the corner of the mouth.

X2

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by monstahfish

One thing to remember when using circles that has turned a lot of people off to them; don't set the hook. Just let the fish swallow the bait for 3-5 mississippis and engage the drag, the hook will set itself right in the corner of the mouth.

Absolutely! The fish also needs to be swimming away from you. If your line goes slack and one tries to wind tight, there is a chance you will wind the bait out of the fish's mouth. Sadly learned the hard way -- bait flew out of the fish's mouth air bound and landed 10ft in front of the kayak. The wahoo lite up, dashed over, grabbed the bait again, and took off! Having seen this, I free spooled and the line started peeling off fast! Adrenaline caused old reflexes to kick in and I swung to set the hook. Had I stayed calm, waited one more Mississippi, and just clicked the reel into gear, the circle hook would have set itself. It hurts to lose a fish that I maybe get a shot at once or twice a year

[TJones]

I have not achieved it yet. I was very optimistic of having a good year. My plan was after having harvested one or two first, was to then release one back. This would have been on a supposed really good day where I had landed and harvested at least one or two prior to releasing a fish. Very optimistic of me, needless to say. Boy, how my plans really got turned around. Im not even in the yellowtail count this year. SMH. . Good for you on your sportsmanship.