Rocky from CA Loc: Central California. Home base is Bakersfield

I am going to be rock cod fishing in the central coast of California. Never taken my own boat out before. Is it appropriate to follow the charter boats out and how close can I fish by them with out being a poor sportsman? I now have a great fish finder and will be able to chart good spots once I find them.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Good question. I have no idea. Did you find a place to live? Or was that a temporary situation?

Rocky from CA Loc: Central California. Home base is Bakersfield

Still on my boat dry docked by Success. Probably won't move to either a lake or the ocean opens up

oldsalt Loc: Holland Pa

Ever notice that party boats end up in the same vicinity? That's because they're on the radio sharing intel. If you can find their channel, try eavesdropping on the conversation.

Rocky from CA Loc: Central California. Home base is Bakersfield

But how close can I fish by them without interfering?

LKPKGA

Half mile

charlykilo Loc: Garden Valley Ca

You got sonar? Find your own rock pile. Not the hussel and bussel. Usually close in where the big boys avoid.

Rocky from CA Loc: Central California. Home base is Bakersfield

You are right. I remember a captain told my dad one time that he could fish much closer to shore but people expect to be way out in order for them to think they are " deep sea fishing." He said it was just a boat ride out and then he worked his way back in as the day went on.

Big TC Loc: Raytown, MO.

Those commercial fishermen can be a little testy when fishing their spots. That's their livelihood.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

My initial response to the question was gonna be "they'll let you know". I still believe that to be true.

Rocky from CA Loc: Central California. Home base is Bakersfield

Yep, I know they will. I was on a charter boat and a private boat got close as soon as the captain got to his spot. He immediately told the private boat to at least give the paying fisherman a chance to fish. He was not happy. And that's the exact reason I asked this question.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

I would agree that half a mile would be a reasonable distance. Charter captains have a list of GPS numbers that they have accumulated over time and they guard them very carefully .

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

As a retired Alaska charter boat captain I would say in sight is to close. I realize that is silly, but in Alaska, people are paying to get away from people. Being practical, the half mile answers are quite reasonable when rock fishing. If you are still on rock and can still see the charter , you are likely fishing a location the charter boat has or will fish some other day. Charter clients are paying, but so are private boat fishermen who are just using a different hole to throw their money in. Please, just show respect if you are going to be part of the mosquito fleet. Some captains will complain regardless. Just remember, one half mile looks pretty close on water.
Following a charter boat may not be your best choice. Rock fish charter boats need to catch a lot of fish without loosing a lot of tackle daily. That means they must avoid the most jagged fishiest spots. They also fish their holes hard. As a private boat, You are usually better off using a paper chart and finding your own spots. A small rock pile rarely fished is going to produce far better quality fish than a large rocky area fished daily season after season. In some locations, the end of a harbor breakwater that can not be reached by foot can be better than a rock pile 15 miles out. Keep in mind, kelp beds in water to shallow for big boats are also a good choice. My response is for west coast bottom fishing. other types of fishing involving salt water trolling and drifting may require much more space. RTKF

Rocky from CA Loc: Central California. Home base is Bakersfield

That's a very good response. I will take it to heart. Being new and going out alone and just learning how to use my new fish finder I am concerned that I won't know where to fish. I am sure that once I find and chart some good spots I won't even need to be by the charters at all. Kinda want to follow them so I can know if I am using my sonar gear properly.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Take your boat to a sandy beach where you can see the bottom (no surf) and photograph your chart screen. Do the same with other settings you expect to use. Write sand and setting on photo. Then do it in swell location and write sand/swell. Do the same on rock and on mud bottom. Take photos with you when fishing. The time spent learning that bottom line will save you untold hours of wasted time later. Sounders have lots of cool stuff, but for what you are doing, knowing what the slope, unevenness, thickness and colors of that bottom line mean are all you need to know. Just know it well. Don't worry about finding fish. They will find you if you are in rocks. No bite in 15 minutes then change bait type or move.50 yards to another rock pile may be a big enough move. HINT- If there is a change on the sounder from flat to jagged, fish it. Again do not be confused by swell changes. Finally, if you are fishing very large rocks or a peak, the fish will move to a different part of that peak as the tide changes. If you drift, drift off the peak. Drifting into a peak will get you snagged.