Yesterday I drove past Steven's creek reservoir and I remembered a time I had been there to fish with Joel after his diagnosis and wasn't kayaking much. So today I decided that I'd bring a fishing pole when running some errands and I'd drop by and cast a line for the heck of it and remember old times.

That time I was with Joel there was a floating dock to tie up too when you launched, but alas it's gone now. But I remember that when Joel and I were there he was on that dock and just casting off the end while I was tossing a lure along the shore. At one point he started yelling for me to come quick, he had a huge bass on the line! I quickly reeled up and raced over to the dock and dove to the ground and made a feeble attempt to lip that bass but just as I reached it shook free with a good splash. Joel and I laughed so hard and then he told me how he was casting just a few feet on each side of the dock hoping a monster bass was there to bite his bait, and he was right.

Today I rigged a sort of similar creature bait, waled to the edge where the dock ramp would have been and made my first cast, visualizing the it would land just to the left of the dock if it was there. To my surprise it was fish on! Albeit not a monster, not more than a pound small mouth took the bait. I didn't want to harm it and fumbled getting a picture and it flopped itself free but I got a quick Pic before it went away.

It was the only fish I landed, but it made my day to feel like I was there with Joel and to enjoy a simple pleasure on a beautiful day. I miss him often, and today even more. His favorite phrase was Live Life, which we can all use a reminder once in a while to live and enjoy this life, it is the only one we have.

No other fish but snapped a few pics of the full lake. It's closed of course to boating which is unfortunate. It used to be the spot I would test out a new yak or bring newbies to fish. Still good for a quick shore pounding though.

After a workout I decided to do a trail on my way home. Noticed these fairly big tracks and got me thinking maybe it's a mountain lion? Any ideas?

https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Grunion

Fr    3/14    10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Sa    3/15    10:50 p.m. - 12:50 a.m.
Su    3/16    11:10 p.m. - 1:10 a.m.
Mo    3/17    11:30 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.

Who might be interested in an old fashioned grunion run this year?  The first dates are in ~6 weeks so plenty of time to plan. We scored next to zero on our first attempt years ago    Maybe find a spot down south where grunion are more abundant?  Reply if you are at all interested!

I have 2 x 4ft and 1 X 6ft of these: BASSDASH American Saltwater Fishing Cast Net 3/8 1/4-Inch Mesh 4ft 6ft 8ft Radius, 1-Pound Per Foot, for Bait Fish with Utility Bucket Casting

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TDY1F49/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

They are brand new and I just don't think I'll get around to hunting for herring this year.  If anyone would like them I'll sell the 4ft for $30 and the 6ft for $45 available this weekend at Doran or we can find a time during the week to hand off from the Peninsula to the South Bay during the week.

https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Whale-Safe-Fisheries

Zones:
https://wildlife.ca.gov/Portals/0/Images/marine/WSF/RAMP%20Fishing%20Zones_1-6.png

...The recreational crab trap restriction in Fishing Zones 3 and 4 will also be lifted effective 8:01am on January 2, 2025.

The Director of CDFW conducted a risk assessment on December 20, 2024 and announced the commercial Dungeness crab fishery will open in Fishing Zones 3-6 ( from the Sonoma/Mendocino county line to the US/Mexico border) beginning January 5, 2025 at 12:01am with a pre-soak to begin on January 2, 2025 at 8:01am. This area will be subject to a 50% trap reduction.

 
Santa Cruz Port District
Notice of Anchovy Die-Off
   

October 18, 2024



Dear Harbor Users,


This evening, a large influx of anchovies depleted oxygen levels in the harbor causing a die-off in the south harbor area. Staff is currently in the process of assessing the extent of the fish die-off and initiating a clean-up response.

 

Resources are being mobilized and we will update this notice as the situation evolves.


Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we undertake the clean-up efforts.



Holland MacLaurie

Port Director

This topic has been moved to Hookups and Fishing Reports (Viewable by Public).

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