Cessna 210 Centurion / Turbo Centurion 210C; 210D
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 12; Flight Crew Total 1125; Flight Crew Type 650
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence; Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Weather
After takeoff and past SMO airspace; requested Z approach at CMA; and told Controller I could go direct JUREX and requested 4;000 FT. They gave me a squawk code and a frequency change and to request the type of approach with the next Controller. When I did; they approved 4;000 and direct JUREX. They then asked if I was VFR and I said no that I was in the IFR. I assumed when ATC gave me a squawk and direct JUREX I was approved for IFR but the Controller informed me I was to stay VFR which was not possible at that point of the flight.
A C210 pilot reported confusion as to whether he was operating under IFR or VFR flight rules in the weather.