rockfish identification

[tippet]

Being fairly new to ocean fishing I had not previously taken the time to learn my rockfish identification.

I caught and released one I didnt know on Sunday. When I mentioned it and described it to a guy at the cleaning station he suggested it was a tiger rockfish based on the vertical barring.

I just looked through a very good guide available on the web:

http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/race/media/...echmemo117.pdf

and now believe it may have been a halfbanded rockfish, although my fish was more red/orange than the one pictured in the guide and the guide mentions a maximum length of about 10 inches. I suppose my fish may have only been about 10 inches. I should have taken a picture.

Anyone have any other ideas?

We caught a total of 5 species between Sunday and Monday.

Aaron

[Salty Walty]

There can be a lot of variation in the striping as well as coloration. There are a dozen tiger rockfish at the Aquarium and maybe a short banded or 2. there is a picture of one in this thread. I have caught 2 tigers, both were on the PIT Tagging Boat.

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthrea...tiger+rockfish

another pic;

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthrea...tiger+rockfish

[ron m]

Originally Posted by tippet

Being fairly new to ocean fishing I had not previously taken the time to learn my rockfish identification.

I caught and released one I didnt know on Sunday. When I mentioned it and described it to a guy at the cleaning station he suggested it was a tiger rockfish based on the vertical barring.

I just looked through a very good guide available on the web:

http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/race/media/...echmemo117.pdf

and now believe it may have been a halfbanded rockfish, although my fish was more red/orange than the one pictured in the guide and the guide mentions a maximum length of about 10 inches. I suppose my fish may have only been about 10 inches. I should have taken a picture.

Anyone have any other ideas?

We caught a total of 5 species between Sunday and Monday.

Aaron

Aaron, do you have one of the laminated rockfish id cards?

If not, let me know and I'll get one to you.
ron m

[tippet]

Thanks Ron - I printed one out (not yet laminated). Its great for the more common red species, but being naturally curious I also printed out some photos of other possible species from the guide I linked above (which covers dozens of species - probably most of which I will never catch).

Walter - thanks for the links. Im pretty sure it was a half banded.

Aaron

Originally Posted by ron m

Aaron, do you have one of the laminated rockfish id cards?

If not, let me know and I'll get one to you.
ron m

[tippet]

And Walter... thanks once again for helping out with my trailer today.

Aaron

[dock rat]

Tippet, this has probably been posted before but here is a link tho ODFW's Marine section's fish picture page from their website. The only 2 common rockfish with vertical stripes in this area are the Tiger and Redbanded.
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/finfish/sp/fish_list.asp

[edsr]

Go to the Oceaned.org website for imediate identification pictures. PM me your address and OCEAN will send you a laminated I.D. card to cary with you. It doesn't list all of the fish you might encounter but it does show the ones most in need of help. That brings up another thing, learn how to release the fish properly and go prepared with the right release gear so that they stand a better chance of recovery.

If you do catch one that should be released - *** MOVE YOUR BOAT TO ANOTHER AREA ***- USE LARGER BAIT - RAISE YOUR BAIT OFF THE BOTTOM

[tippet]

Thanks for the info and offer edsr - Ron M. gave me a laminated card and I printed out a more extensive set of photos as well. I will have release gear on board when I go out tomorrow!