Santa Cruz Fishing Report

Report Updated May 8, 2012

ROCKFISH OPEN, SALMON STILL HAPPENING!

According to our pal Allen Bushnell (co-host of The Let’s Go Fishing Radio Show, Thursdays 8-9pm on KSCO 1080 AM), the weather and sea conditions were not the best this past week, but most mornings proved to be quite fishable. Salmon are still the number one target, but rockfish season is now open, and an increasing number of halibut are moving in, opening up the near shore fishery.

Salmon anglers enjoyed a fairly steady bite over the past couple weeks. The schools of salmon went on the move last week, though. Some good reports came from our North Coast areas near Three Trees, and even off Natural Bridges in 250 feet of water. The charter boats from Half Moon Bay were getting limits above Pigeon Point, and it looked like the big schools were all heading that way. This week’s wind created sloppy conditions along the Central and Northern California Coast, so most boats were waiting it out until things calm down.

In the meantime, a new school is turning the corner into Monterey Bay at Point Pinos. Sport boats reported quite a few limits early in the week, including Gerry Brookes from Reel Sportfishing on Monday. “Today we fished a new school of fish that moved into Monterey Bay. The quality of fish is great. We ran across the bay to the Monterey side and put in early limits for our 4 anglers, to 18 pounds. Its like it was for the opener on the Santa Cruz side. The weather was perfect.” Charter boats from Monterey are fishing off the Hotel in Seaside and reporting about a fish per rod this week. On Thursday the locals located salmon near the Pajaro Hole. Todd Fraser from Bayside Marine reported, “some boats got limits, and the average was a good fish per rod.”

Fraser threw out some halibut hints last week, and provided confirmation this week. The flat sandy areas in front of the harbor are holding halibut right now. 50-70 feet of water seems to be the best area to fish. Anglers are hooking the flatties using sardines, squid and FishTrap lures.

Rockfish are also on the menu after the May 1 opener Tuesday. Already, we are getting positive reports of browns and china rockfish near Capitola, browns and olive rockfish from South Rock and the Four Mile Beach area and nice lingcod off our North Coast and from Pleasure Point.

In other news, Chris Lauesen from the Pajaro Valley Rod and Gun Club reminds us about the May 6 “Kid’s Fishing Derby” at Pinto Lake. “The derby is from 8:00 to noon and is open to all kids 12 and under. The DFG will be planting 2,000 pounds of trout for the kids, and the Pajaro Valley Lions Club will be providing free hot dogs and punch.” Along with the trophies, the event includes a raffle and most kids bring home some sort of prize.

Bushnell can be heard with the fish report on KSCO 1080AM Friday mornings at 6:45.

Are you a professional guide or charter skipper? We’re looking for a couple quality individuals to partner up with. Send us a email if you’d like to be considered for the program.

Local Radio Report

Let’s Go Fishing Radio Show
Capt. Mike Baxter is a local legend in these parts (our words, not his) and he and trusty co-host Allen Bushnell break down all the local bites for ya…as well as plenty of inland stuff from steelies to kokanee…every Thursday from 7-8 PM on AM 1080. Check it out…these guys are dialed in!

DFG Fishing Regulations

Current Weather

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About Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is best known for its surf, but it’s also got a lot of cool saltwater fishing opportunities — from albacore and the occasional bluefin tuna on the outside to salmon and rockfish (when in season) to inshore stuff like halibut and white seabass. And let’s not forget the surf fishing…you can catch summer stripers off the sand, along with year-round surf perch and even the occasional halibut.

Light Tackle Surf Perch Fishing
Shallow Water Rockfishing