Seal Beach Pier - Nice Variety May 15th

Fishman Fishman

Fishman Fishman

Well-Known Member
#1
#1
Fished a beautiful morning on the pier. Had a steady early morning bite, then it slowed around midmorning. Tally for the session was:

3 Thornback Rays
2 Roundrays
3 Topsmelt
2 Pacific Chub Mackerel
1 Sandbass
1 Lizardfish
1 Queenfish
1 Shovelnose Guitarfish (36 inches)

The Shovelnose Guitarfish was a surprise and put up a good fight. Caught it with a whole anchovy.

When I got home I did some research on the Shovelnose Guitarfish and was surprised there is a 28 inch minimum size limit and catch limit of three, two fish in Northern California. I also learned the fish is on the " near threatened list category" per International Union of Conservation Nature. NOAA studying whether to add the Shovelnose Guitarfish to the Endangered Species Act. Sad! Now I understand why the last Shovelnose I caught was in March 2024.

I'm glad that I have always practiced catch and release with this unique looking fish!

Good luck.
 

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M

Mahigeer

Senior Member
#2
#2
Thanks for posting the regulation about SNG.
Can you post the page number of the regulation and the T14CCR of the California dept. of Fish and wildlife,
and where did you find the other information? Thanks.

I don't seem to find it.
 
Ken Jones

Ken Jones

Administrator
Staff member
#3
#3
Good question since to my knowledge there has never been a size restriction, number restriction, or geographic restriction on shovelnose guitarfish.

(1) I did see an AI generated Google response to the question is there a size limit on shovelnose guitarfish in california?

It says, "In California, the minimum size limit for Shovelnose Guitarfish is 28 inches total length or 20 inches alternate length, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The daily bag and possession limit is three fish, except in waters south of Point Conception between March 15 and June 15, where only one fish may be taken."

(2) However later, asking the question a second time gave a different answer: AI Overview, Learn more: In California, there is no minimum size limit for shovelnose guitarfish; however, the daily bag and possession limit is five fish. This means you can catch and keep up to five shovelnose guitarfish per day.

(3) Asking a third time - AI Overview, Learn more: In California, there are no specific bag or possession limits for shovelnose guitarfish. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife manages them under the general finfish regulations. This means there are no closed seasons, closed hours, or minimum size limits for finfish, including shovelnose guitarfish, in the Pacific Ocean and saltwater bays. However, there is a general limit of no more than 20 finfish in combination, with no more than 10 of any one species, that can be taken or possessed by one person

It seems that AI generated responses are not the perfect solution they try to portray.

If you look at the regulation's booklet (pages 45-49) you will not see shovelnose guitarfish listed. I could be wrong (since changes are frequent) but except for checking with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife I think this is an AI generated mistake. I will try to get an answer from the department. --- https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=220187&inline
 
M

Mahigeer

Senior Member
#4
#4
After not finding any mention of SGF on CDF&W, I emailed a question for the link provided. Waiting for the reply. Will post same.



Could the wrong AI be a PETA ploy?
 
Fishman Fishman

Fishman Fishman

Well-Known Member
#6
#6
Ken Jones said:
Good question since to my knowledge there has never been a size restriction, number restriction, or geographic restriction on shovelnose guitarfish.

(1) I did see an AI generated Google response to the question is there a size limit on shovelnose guitarfish in california?

It says, "In California, the minimum size limit for Shovelnose Guitarfish is 28 inches total length or 20 inches alternate length, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The daily bag and possession limit is three fish, except in waters south of Point Conception between March 15 and June 15, where only one fish may be taken."

(2) However later, asking the question a second time gave a different answer: AI Overview, Learn more: In California, there is no minimum size limit for shovelnose guitarfish; however, the daily bag and possession limit is five fish. This means you can catch and keep up to five shovelnose guitarfish per day.

(3) Asking a third time - AI Overview, Learn more: In California, there are no specific bag or possession limits for shovelnose guitarfish. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife manages them under the general finfish regulations. This means there are no closed seasons, closed hours, or minimum size limits for finfish, including shovelnose guitarfish, in the Pacific Ocean and saltwater bays. However, there is a general limit of no more than 20 finfish in combination, with no more than 10 of any one species, that can be taken or possessed by one person

It seems that AI generated responses are not the perfect solution they try to portray.

If you look at the regulation's booklet (pages 45-49) you will not see shovelnose guitarfish listed. I could be wrong (since changes are frequent) but except for checking with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife I think this is an AI generated mistake. I will try to get an answer from the department. --- https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=220187&inline
Click to expand...
Ken covered it well! My info came from a Google search.
Ken Jones said:
Good question since to my knowledge there has never been a size restriction, number restriction, or geographic restriction on shovelnose guitarfish.

(1) I did see an AI generated Google response to the question is there a size limit on shovelnose guitarfish in california?

It says, "In California, the minimum size limit for Shovelnose Guitarfish is 28 inches total length or 20 inches alternate length, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The daily bag and possession limit is three fish, except in waters south of Point Conception between March 15 and June 15, where only one fish may be taken."

(2) However later, asking the question a second time gave a different answer: AI Overview, Learn more: In California, there is no minimum size limit for shovelnose guitarfish; however, the daily bag and possession limit is five fish. This means you can catch and keep up to five shovelnose guitarfish per day.

(3) Asking a third time - AI Overview, Learn more: In California, there are no specific bag or possession limits for shovelnose guitarfish. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife manages them under the general finfish regulations. This means there are no closed seasons, closed hours, or minimum size limits for finfish, including shovelnose guitarfish, in the Pacific Ocean and saltwater bays. However, there is a general limit of no more than 20 finfish in combination, with no more than 10 of any one species, that can be taken or possessed by one person

It seems that AI generated responses are not the perfect solution they try to portray.

If you look at the regulation's booklet (pages 45-49) you will not see shovelnose guitarfish listed. I could be wrong (since changes are frequent) but except for checking with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife I think this is an AI generated mistake. I will try to get an answer from the department. --- https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=220187&inline
Click to expand...
Sorry for any confusion! My info was based on Google search and AI response. Ken's research and response speaks well to topic. Hopefully Fish and Wildlife can provide definitive accurate info. My apologies. Thanks Ken for your assistance and knowledge.
 
M

Mahigeer

Senior Member
#7
#7
Just received this from F&W.

Hi Hashem,

Thank you for reaching out to us. The information shared in your email is inaccurate. There are currently no size limits for shovelnose guitarfish statewide. Shovelnose guitarfish would fall under the general finfish limit (Title 14 California Code of Regulations §27.60) which is no more than 10 fish of one species and no more than 20 fish altogether. You can find more information on Shovelnose Guitarfish on our Marine Species Portal.

Please feel free to email us again with any other questions.

Thank you,
Wildlife Ask Marine
===================================================================================
FYI
On a side note, while I was looking for the information on SNG, I saw something that I had seen many times, but did not pay any attention to it.

The correct measurement for bonito is called 24" "fork length". Which means the "total length" from head with mouth closed to the tip of the tail must be more than 24". I am betting many anglers (me also) may have measured the catch number six to ten of the bonito wrong.

I made a laminate of the regulation and picture of the same to show to my angler friends on the Mole. Maybe even the wardens when they show up.
 
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