Overniter @ Catalina

[scubacorn]

Hey friends, I did an overniter @ Catalina last night and was able to haul in 21 bugs amongst 4 people. Two people were potting and the other two (me included) did some pre-dawn hunting. We found this kelp field (location withheld) about 90 ft down, with astonishing numbers of bugs hiding beneath the sheets of kelp.

I was wondering if anyone has had any luck in Catalina lately, whether diving or potting. Also looking for suggestions for better cage bait than mackys. We used Lin Cod heads once and got pretty decent results. Anyone with suggestions for stinky, oily fish that the bugs go crazy over?

Thanks, and see you below!

 

[drbill]

Word I'm hearing is that divers in shallow waters are not taking as many as last year, but those diving deep seem to be doing ok. I hope that isn't a signal that our bug populations are on the decline here on Catalina.

 

[Johnoly]

Congrats on the bug catches!!

 

[scubacorn]

drbill, dive for bugs lately over in Catalina? Since it's off-season for the island, it's kinda nice not competing for spots, however, lots of squid boats out and it looked as if they were netting good amounts. Johnoly, nice wheelbarrow full of bugs! Where are you from? Your profile doesn't mention anything.

 

[tiburon72157]

i trust everyone has the required licenses correct? have seen many poachers so far this season. took down as much info as i could get and called fish & game.

 

[scubacorn]

tiburon, of course all necessary licenses were on hand, while not necessarily worn visibly. myself and the capt. have annuals, and for the two others, what's a $16 2-day for a share that called for 5 bugs...as long as you take your turn pulling the rope.
Let's do some math. 4 people at limit 7 per day...28. make it an overniter...56 possible. that's usually enough to persuade someone to fork over sixteen bucks. I'm not sure what 14 bugs on the market go for , but definitely more than a license.

The boat cap't (bro-in-law) is an honest chap, and wouldn't want to jeopardize his vessel and fines for something as measly as not buying licenses. Also, during the tuna runs south, we have annual mexican licenses, so that "la policia" have nothing on us.

tiby, you say that you've seen many poachers this season, what parts of Catalina have you been seeing them, and how do you know that they are poachers? Also, have you seen any response from the DFG, because poaching affects us all, especially those who go thru the proper means. poachers suck!