Father and Son, Oysters and Rockfish with Pics

JethroVA

 My bother, son, and I went after rockfish in the Chesapeake yesterday.  New limit is 20 in minimum. Only caught two that size but we threw back quite a few 18 and 19 inch fish that would have been legal last year.  State raised the minimum due to population decline. That hopefully means lots of 20+ inch fish next year.   It was still fun catching them on light tackle (casting bucktails) and releasing. 

Sorry, only "before" photos at this point. We're hoping for more rockfish today, then we'll fire up the Egg.  For this size fish we'll grill the whole fish with just butter, salt and pepper and garlic.  To hedge our bets we did harvest about 200 oysters in case the rocks aren't where we think they'll be today.  A dozen oysters for me, a dozen for my son, and 10 dozen in case @SGH is passing through town and needs an appetizer round.  The boat photo shows how we "fish the birds" early in the season before the big hogs arrive in late December coming in from the ocean.  We watch for birds diving on bait fish, race over there, cast for 15-20 minutes.  The feeding frenzy dies down, then we scan with binoculars looking the next frenzy about to launch.  

SGH

Brother I sure would love to get in on the oyster feast!! Will be standing by for the finale.  

SmokingPiney

Looks like a great time on the water.................with fine eating forecasted. 

NPHuskerFL

Father/Son time is a WIN!!!

pgprescott

Hit the nail on the head Blake^^^^^^^^^^€^€

SGH

@JethroVA
Is that your boat?

theyolksonyou

NPHuskerFL said:

Father/Son time is a WIN!!!

Yep I took my oldest yesterday to the river. He caught one tiny fish, but we had fun. If the teenager wants to spend time with dad, I'm in!

theyolksonyou

@JethroVA looks like a great day. I'm jealous you can go harvest 200 oysters...

slovelad

Kinda looks like mullet

Eggcelsior

Very nice. Nothing better than Chesapeake Bay seafood. Sauté up that Rock with some JO's and shuck those oysters and slurp 'em down with some Tulkoffs.

JethroVA

@SGH the boat in the picture is not mine.  Photo was taken from my boat, a 19ft Sea Hunt.  @slovelad I'm attaching another photo so you can see the rockfish a little better.  We were slaying the fish yesterday but nothing met the minimum size (20).  Threw back 6 fish in the 18-19.5 in range.  Finished product didn't photograph well but it sure tasted good. 

SGH

Fine looking fish brother, both in the raw and cooked. Looks like a heck of a good time. Nothing better than fishing in my book. Well, except for eating

slovelad

20 inches to the fork? If it's to the tail... You can always squeeze another half inch 

JethroVA

@slovelad fortunately it's from bottom lip to tip of tail not the fork.  Still, it sure was tempting to use the "filet and release" strategy combined with a small camp stove!  Or bring some seaweed and rice for rockfish sushi!  Just kidding, we obey the rules especially with my son onboard.  

bgebrent

Beautiful fish brother!  I love fish on the egg!  Any oysters yet?