FISHING NOTEBOOK: FISHING LINES COULD BE ALTERED.

Byline: Bill Becher Special to the Daily News

Ocean anglers got some good news at the meeting of the Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) in Foster City last week.

The group, which advises the federal government on West Coast marine fishing regulations, voted to move the sport-fishing line from 20 fathoms (120 feet) to 30 fathoms (180 feet) in waters south of Point Conception, effective Sept. 1 through Dec. 31.

California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) biologists presented the PFMC with catch-per-unit of fishing effort data that showed fishing in the deeper water would not cause a significant increase in the incidental take of bocaccio or other depleted rockfishes.

In September 2002, the PFMC reduced annual harvest limits for California's groundfish fisheries to help restore depleted rockfish species managed under federal rebuilding plans. Sport and commercial fishing was affected by the restrictions on bottom-fishing because many ocean fish species inhabit the same area.

For 2003, the sport-fishing season in Central and Southern California was shortened from eight to six months, depth restrictions were established, and bag and possession limits were reduced for many species.

The PFMC is in the process of establishing 2004's harvest limits for West Coast sport and commercial groundfish fisheries. Anglers are hoping for additional fishing opportunities next year after new science was presented to the council that showed an increase in California's bocaccio population.

The depth limit change does not include the 4,300-square-mile Cowcod Conservation Area off California. The depth limit decision is subject to review and approval by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The California Fish and Game Commission will also need to change state regulations to conform to the PFMC decision.

--Ocean season opens: Beginning Tuesday, California's sport fisheries for rockfish, cabezon, greenlings, scorpionfish (sculpin), ocean whitefish and lingcod will open for recreational anglers in nearshore waters south of Cape Mendocino.

The six-month sport-fishing season will last until Dec. 31 or until annual harvest limits have been reached. Fish can only be taken in waters less than 120 feet (20 fathoms), although this should change to 30 fathoms in September. Bag and possession limits allow for up to 10 fish in combination.

For additional information and a clickable map of the regulations, log on to DFG's Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd.

--Martens lands big paycheck: Casitas bass pro Aaron Martens had his best payday ever. His victory at the Forrest Wood Open at Wheeler Lake in Alabama netted him $200,000. Martens landed 10 bass over two days that totaled 25 pounds, 10 ounces.