I have started a recreational anglers tagging study. The study will include California Halibut, White Seabass, Kelp Bass (Calico Bass), Barred Sand Bass (Sand Bass), and Spotted Sand Bass (Bay Bass or Spotted Bay Bass). The tags will be printed with a fish number and the website address (leapinbass.com). Currently I am only tagging legal sized fish. Once I recieve University sponsorship and a scientific collecting permit I will legally be permitted to tag short fish. The tagging will be done by several anglers in the Santa Barbara area.

So if you catch a fish with a "leapinbass.com" tag please collect all the information you possibly can and use the form on the website to submit your catch. I will then provide you details of when your fish was originally tagged.

Thank you.

Good to hear that you are going to be tagging some fish again! I was wondering, are the tags going to be available to other people to tag the fish they catch too or is it just you and a few friends for now? I think that if more people got involved, you could take off with this idea!

Till Later,
Joel

The study I have submitted to the DFG is specifically for the Santa Barbara area and it is for inshore only (20 feet of water or less and 1/4 mile from shore or less).

I would be glad to have other people participate if they are willing but it will cost (at least until we get some financial sponsorship - which may be possible). Each person participating will need to get a scientific collecting permit at ~$40 for two years. You will also need to buy the tags and something to collect data (some way to write down information while out on the water). The tags are ~$.65 each for batches of 100 or ~$.40 for batches of 1000. I bought a batch of 100 to start tagging the legal fish but will probably get a batch of 1000 once I can tag the shorts and get some other people involved. You will also need to be taught how to tag properly - in a float tube it's a bit tricky - a boga grip would probably help a lot - I plan to get one (not to mention you'll be able to get a quick weight reading and not have to rely on length only).

If you live and/or fish inshore in the Santa Barbara area often and would still like to participate e-mail me and we'll discuss things further.

Tagged a 23 incher today in Goleta in 3 feet of water.

What did you get her on too?

Tight lines,
Wade

halibut.

Got 3 legals (25, 24, 23). Got the 25 and 23 on an Excalibur Long A jerkbait and the 24 on a Worm King.