I just read this article earlier. Very poorly written... Sad...

Interesting stuff, though.

Do any of you know which years fish have been released in the harbor? In other words, is this argument moot because the fishery just won't exist this year or the year after?

Way to pay your dues!

That's what salmon fishing is all about.

They limit you to a 3 mile radius of the launch, so you can JUST reach natural bridges  from Santa Cruz.

It is not the cormorants. It is not the striped bass. It is the dams and poor water resource management. Period.

All the other factors are just SYMPTOMS of this greater water management problem.

Welcome! A few quick answers for you...

- Regarding mono on the spool first... Braided line is expensive, so many folks use mono as "backing" by filling the majority of the reel with mono and just the last 100 yards or so with braid. ALSO, braid will slip against the spool if you don't (a) use some mono backing, or (b) put a wrap or two of tape in the spool before tying the braid to it (gives the braid something to grip against).

Personally, I would say 20 lb braid is on the light side for targeting rockfish and lingcod. I prefer mono, but I'd go with 40-lb braid if I were gonna use braid, and tie on a 10-20 foot "top shot" of 20-lb mono.

Regarding baits. I am a big fan of Big Hammer swimbaits. A 5" or 6" pearl white big hammer swimbait on a 2-oz lead head is incredibly versatile. It'll catch rockfish, lingcod, halibut, striped bass, etc. A simple stop and go retrieve hopping it up and down off the bottom will do the trick.

Another good rig to get familiar with is the "three way". Google that one for info. This will work with live or dead bait.

Regarding depth. Most of the fishing we do is in less than 100 feet of water. If we're out salmon fishing we may go down as deep as 200 feet. Unless you want to fish on the bottom (halibut, rockfish, etc), you either need to measure your depth by counting 1 foot "pulls" of line off the reel or by using a line counter.

I wonder if the early release has any affect of the fish's internal calendar? Will they now return early?

You're good for halibut. What you're referring to is known as a "trap rig".