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Fishing Boats Off Refugio
updated: Oct 22, 2012, 7:30 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

What kind of fishing boats are out in the ocean near Refugio? Many boats with bright lights observed last night off of the 101.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

DILLYDALLY	2012-10-22 07:31 PM
Squid boats
COMMENT 334483	2012-10-22 07:41 PM
dilly is correct.
COMMENT 334485	2012-10-22 07:47 PM
I think you pronounced refugio wrong in your question. lol.
COMMENT 334495	2012-10-22 08:21 PM
If not squid then pangas.
COMMENT 334505	2012-10-22 08:45 PM
I passed it last night, and it was very neat in the dark. Why are they concentrated there, and does anybody have night photography skills who might like to catch an image or two for us?
MESARATS	2012-10-22 11:21 PM
another vote for squid. Too bad they off load in Ventura. You have to chase them down in the water to get fresh squid anymore.
COMMENT 334527P	2012-10-22 11:26 PM
I too saw those and thought about asking Edhat. Thanks to the asker for remembering and to Dilly for the answer. I would have loved a photo. It really was an interesting subject with the rigs in the background and the partial moon above.
COMMENT 334540	2012-10-23 07:32 AM
They have been there every day/night for a month..I'm surprised there are any squid left. Looks like 6 or 8 small boats & a Mother ship to take the catch wherever
COMMENT 334543	2012-10-23 07:40 AM
Well, hopefully that surf angle will clean up. It's been pretty nice lately.
LONESTARCA	2012-10-23 07:53 AM
485 THAT's funny.
COMMENT 334565	2012-10-23 08:31 AM
Lobster season is opening soon. Maybe they are diving to find the best spots to place their traps. Commercial lobster fishermen will set their traps before the season opens.
COMMENT 334567	2012-10-23 08:35 AM
I stopped and took video late one night trying to get a better idea of what they were. It is quite a sight on a clear night!
COMMENT 334579	2012-10-23 08:53 AM
@ 334565 - Lobster season actually opened several weeks ago. The lights you are seeing have nothing to do with Lobster - commercial lobster fishermen are not allowed to work at night. What you are seeing are "squid boats" - typically they roam up and down the coast during the season, following the schools of market squid (Loligo Opalescens). The "light boats" attract the squid into concentrated balls at the surface, often luring them into deeper water where other boats then encircle the squid with nets. There is often a single "receiver" ship that takes on all the squid for transport to market while the light boats and net boats remain on the squid, following them as they move up and down the coast. If you've never had the opportunity to jig for squid, you are missing out - it is a lot of fun and they are delicious to eat (but a pain to clean).
COMMENT 334580	2012-10-23 08:54 AM
Drowning frijoles? Is frijoles a slur?
DILLYDALLY	2012-10-23 09:01 AM
579 has great details and is 100% correct.
COMMENT 334596	2012-10-23 09:35 AM
I always thought Refugio was spelled Refufio. hmm And, panga boats don't carry lights. Not unless they are inviting a greeting party.
COMMENT 334687	2012-10-23 12:59 PM
Squid aren't too much of a pain to clean. BTW what happened to using Google or searching Edhat before posting a question that's been asked a multitude of times here? Why doesn't Edhat staff simply reply to the OP with a link to the last time a subject was talked about? Or maybe I've been here for too long.
COMMENT 334737	2012-10-23 02:35 PM
They are always out there this time of year. They are particularly beautiful at sunset (the blue hour) when they have their lights on.
COMMENT 334792	2012-10-23 04:33 PM
I think the squid at Sushi Terri is great. I am sad to not be able to eat abaolone anymore.

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