ROCK STAR

CATCH BIG ROCKFISH AND HAVE MORE FUN WITH SLOW-PITCH GEAR.

- JIM HENDRICKS

The 2023 rockfish season heralds big changes for California ocean anglers. A variety of new regulations are set to kick in for these popular and tasty bottom fish. Most of the changes, but not all, are more restrictive than in years past.

For example, anglers in Southern California-arguably the largest and most populous coastal area for rock fishing in the Golden State-will face a dramatically shorter season. It starts on April 1, a month later than in recent years, and much of the traditional bottom-fishing waters will close September 15. That's three and a half months earlier than normal.

On the other hand, you can now target rockfish at greater depths. While anglers were previously restricted to waters less than 600 feet, no maximum depth limit will exist through December 31 for about 40 deepwater species. After September 15, however, SoCal anglers will be prohibited from bottom-fishing in depths of less than 600 feet or targeting the 13 species of nearshore rockfish.

The new regs bring both challenges and opportunities, and at least one SoCal angler is already adjusting to this New World order. Cesar Chavez, a lifelong West Coast angler, has adapted and refined slow-pitch jigging techniques to catch big rockfish in deep water.

BIG AND FUN

"I've always loved bottom-fishing, but I wanted to make it more fun. I came across some videos of Benny Ortiz bottom-fishing deep with some very light gear," Chavez told me. A pro staffer for Shimano, Ortiz has pioneered slow-pitch fishing in the waters off Florida and elsewhere for snapper, grouper and other species.

"I tried to mimic his techniques out on the West Coast, but initially, I was not successful," Chavez says. "So, I reached out to Benny directly.

"He showed me the gear and how to rig everything. Once I bought the correct tackle and put it to practice, I began to experience success."