BajaNomad - Fishing habits in Baja poll

Fishing habits in Baja poll

Hook - 2-21-2006 at 05:13 PM

Inspired by Pompano's poll.

The questions on keeping fish are an attempt to determine how much fish a Nomad might KEEP if he/she had the opportunity to catch as much fish as they wanted.

Yes, I know that sometimes the number of fish you keep should be answered in the context of how you did the day before, how many more days of fishing you have before head home, or whether the pelagic season is ending or starting or how hungry your neighbor in camp is.

But, generally, assuming you fish recreationally and have other means of eating, how would you answer.

Capt. George - 2-21-2006 at 05:23 PM

What I catch I distribute among the pensionaros.....

And we eat a lot of seafood!

Capt. George

comitan - 2-21-2006 at 05:23 PM

Hook

You left me out, I catch fish only for my needs, what I will eat because I don't like to buy fish. And living where I do I should never have to buy fish. (But I have)

Hook - 2-21-2006 at 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by comitan
Hook

You left me out, I catch fish only for my needs, what I will eat because I don't like to buy fish. And living where I do I should never have to buy fish. (But I have)

So what part of 1-2 fish per day doesnt that cover? You have to keep at least one fish to "catch fish only for my needs. "

If your needs are nil, then you are a C & R guy or you dont fish.

tunaeater - 2-21-2006 at 05:38 PM

I keep some fish and others I catch and release. For example Catch and Release examples are all billfish, fish caught in the San Diego bay, Calico bass, fish caught in local lakes and canals except stocked trout and other fish I would keep but already have caught some.
Fish I like to keep are tuna,dorado,wahoo, catfish,white seabass,rock fish etc. I guess it comes down to this. I do keep some but I also do a lot of C&R as well.

comitan - 2-21-2006 at 05:45 PM

Hook

I have a large freezer and don't really go fishing unless I need to restock soo I keep everthing I catch, even Skipjack which we boil up and put in the freezer for our dog.

David K - 2-21-2006 at 05:47 PM

Catch, filet, then into the ice box... what we don't eat on that trip comes home to the freezer... Don't fish as much as I woulkd like to... too much time spent in the mountains and deserts searching for lost missions! :lol:

Maybe when I retire?

Frank - 2-21-2006 at 05:59 PM

I did the poll. 2-5 fish. This really depends on the condition of the fish, if its bleeding it comes home. Healthy, nice hook in the lip, the fish swims away. If I need to "meat fish" I can do it in San Diego with better results.

bajajudy - 2-21-2006 at 06:02 PM

I also answered wrong. I would keep the limit on edible fish but would never even consider keeping a marlin, sailfish etc unless wounded beyond help. Then I would give it to my neighbors. We all share any bounty, whether from the sea or earth.
I learned a lesson my first year here....no one needs mangos in mango season nor limes in the summer. Its kinda like zuchini in the summer other places.
However anytime there is extra fish, no worry's, someone will take it.

Frank - 2-21-2006 at 06:07 PM

Send me your Mangos Judy. The only place I can get Mangos off a tree without going home to Guam is Baja.

Hook - 2-21-2006 at 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by comitan
Hook

I have a large freezer and don't really go fishing unless I need to restock soo I keep everthing I catch, even Skipjack which we boil up and put in the freezer for our dog.

Well, then I guess you fall into the full limits category, no?

Or, at least, I HOPE that's where you stop.........

comitan - 2-21-2006 at 06:37 PM

Wow voted full limits, I ended up with the majority.

Roberto - 2-21-2006 at 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Jorge
Fishing the Marine Park in Loreto you are suppossed to wear your wristband and it is also illegal to fillet your fish onboard.

One of the lesser-known rules in Mexico is that filleting onboard is not allowed ANYWHERE in Mexican waters. I know, I know ...

Another, even less known rule is that chumming with live bait (or maybe any kind of bait) is illegal, and you are only allowed to use live bait to catch the FIRST TWO fish of the day. It's true, I promise.

More regulations at: http://www.mexfish.com/mexi/mexi/af000806/af000806.htm .

Don Alley - 2-21-2006 at 09:45 PM

Marine Park wristbands:

I recently heard heard from a Loreto outfitter that the Marine Park was going to get more serious about the wristband permits and start levying fines.

Non-residents must have the 20 peso daily wristband permits for almost any activity within the park, especially going ashore on the islands. Recently, if found without a required wristband, authorities simply sold you one on the spot for 20 pesos.

capn.sharky - 2-21-2006 at 10:57 PM

Me too!!! I fish but only keep one or two (if my neighbors are hungry). If I can make a fish meal for a hungry Mexican family it is far better than for me to eat the fish. By the way, I never bring any home to the U.S. I will eat a small amount of what I catch in Loreto. I take it to a restaurant that will cook it for me. No soy cocenero. I have, on occasion, helped commercial local fishermen catch for sale. I usually get one small fillet for payment of my hard work. Sails? Nope let them go. Occasionally throat hooked and take it in for smoking and distribution to Mexican friends and neighbors. Marlin (nope) released them all so far. Dorado, I take my limit for distribution. Dodos are my favorite to catch.

Worldtraveller - 2-21-2006 at 11:31 PM

Generally keep one or two per person fishing. Release the rest.

Pompano - 2-22-2006 at 07:23 AM

Catch and release note.....

I came across a few smallish pintos (gold-spotted bass) the other day that were floating with their swim bladders sticking out of their mouths. Food for pelicans eventually, I suppose, but should have been kept and counted as part of a limit.

Don Alley - 2-22-2006 at 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano
Catch and release note.....

I came across a few smallish pintos (gold-spotted bass) the other day that were floating with their swim bladders sticking out of their mouths. Food for pelicans eventually, I suppose, but should have been kept and counted as part of a limit.

Pinto bass...they fight like you've hooked a piece of kleenex.

I keep relatively few fish, mostly from boats, and release all the inshore stuff I get on my kayak. I have neighbors who always enjoy fish, but one or two decent sized dorado or yellowtail will go a long way.

Now the pinto bass, those go home to our table, my wife loves them. No good leaving them as floaters. Yes, should have been kept, counted towards a limit, and eaten. Better than yellowtail.

Skeet/Loreto - 2-22-2006 at 11:38 AM

i keep the first catch of Yellowtail for Canning, then only keep what I can eat. The Panga Capt. gets his limit for his family. Only catch dorado for eating, release all but a couple of small ones. Keep and eat all Cabrilla and Triggers{ make exellent fish Salad the 2nd day after cooking}.
Skeet

2 fish per week

Skipjack Joe - 2-22-2006 at 12:03 PM

I catch and release all fish I catch except for a fish or two per week. I enjoy a fish every third day and that's the day I keep a fish. I never bring back fish for anyone unless I am specifically asked on that day and which will be eaten on that day. No fish are kept for the canners or for the Mexicans to later sell to the market. No fish are brought back to the states either.

If a fish is badly hooked and will die I still release it as I know the ocean scavengers will eventually dispose of it and will enter the nutrient cycle anyway. I am of the opinion that a fish released into the sea is not 'wasted'.

I responded to the poll as 1-2 fish per day, but that isn't true. Nor is pure catch and release.

Debra - 2-22-2006 at 04:39 PM

I don't fish at all.....although, I sure do love eating what you all share with me. :spingrin:

capn.sharky - 2-23-2006 at 09:14 AM

Debbie: The East Cape and Port Orchard too far away to share for me. Elsewise, I would gladly send some your way.

elgatoloco - 2-23-2006 at 10:48 AM

This one went back to the fish gods.

elgatoloco - 2-23-2006 at 10:50 AM

This one went was tasty. Tacos de pescado for camp.

Debra - 2-23-2006 at 10:59 AM

Capn.sharky, Well then, I guess I'll just have to come down and pick some up myself. :tumble:

I practice Catch...

Pompano - 2-23-2006 at 11:04 AM

and Barbeque.

Pompano - 2-23-2006 at 11:06 AM

...or Bake some luscious fish cakes....yummm!

Pompano - 2-23-2006 at 11:08 AM

But only enough for that night's dinner...and some leftovers for a certain hungry fisherman.