Information on Moss Landing

I've been thinking that Moss landing might be an interesting place to launch, being so near to the deep canyon. I'd like to ask of anyone familiar with it what is the best launch and parking there? It looks like there are many parking lots, I imagine some of them have a fee. Can you take the jetty road on the north side and park and launch from in back of the jetty? Is it safe to leave your vehicle out there? Also, I'd like to ask are there other important considerations apart from parking and launch location? From what I've read on this board I've got the idea that the tide can be pretty strong going in or out of the jaws at times, so would it be better to avoid going there if there is a strong outgoing like there is this weekend? Does the surf ever close out the entrance here? Any advice would be welcome. Thanks.

Moss has a boat ramp with an empty parking lot.....mainly because it has absolutely nothing to offer right now in angling opportunities.   

I'm sure there were some posts last (or the previous) spring about the Moss launches, but here's some answers (I've launched in that area maybe 20 times):  Yes, you can launch from behind the north jetty - take Jetty Rd.- sandy/muddy drag, depending on tide, maybe 50-100yds, wheels much better.  Same with behind south jetty -take the road to Phil's Fish diner (worth the trip itself).  Safe? So far, yes, for me, but even a low-grade car burglar could figure there's little risk of being seen, and I think the north side might be safer because it gets less short-stay traffic, people who park there tend to either be shore anglers, birders or surfers; on the south side, there are people who sit in their vans/cars for hours, or, on the other hand, show up for a few minutes and leave.  Northside has toilets, less trash and more room to park than south. No fees on either jetty side.  Sign on north Jetty Rd near closeable gate says not open until daylight or some such, but I've never seen the gate closed, and I haven't attracted any enforcers.
   Moss is exposed to a lot more weather than Santa Cruz/Capitola or Monterey, so there
aren't any places to escape if you miscalculate.  You need to check tides (technically, for the  currents at the jaws and out a least a mile), swells, and wind.  Prevailing wind is from NW, so that is the safer direction to paddle if in doubt.  Because there are few shore landmarks except the stacks, it's easy to get a lot further away from the jaws than you think you are, so take your gps and divide distance by paddling speed, estimate how long you could or would enjoy doing a survival paddle,  and allow a cushion for subjective error. !
  There are some posts on this forum of harrowing trips through the swells and wind at the jaws, but there are a lot of days when I've seen it like a millpond and enjoyed a nap in the sun interrupted by a whale show (don't get too close).   Be prepared to head toward Monterey or SC for a launch if it doesn't look good when you show up.
     
   

   

  Not fishing related  but some friends of mine from work, launched from Moss to do a Elkhorn slough paddle, the weather was nice when they started, and allowed them to enter the slough.  Some time later the weather turned,wind kicked up, and they were not able to paddle out against the 3 foot waves that started to pound them. 
  One person beached  to escape the white capped waves,and lost a shoe in the mud, and a pb helped him, and the others were rescued by either harbor master or CG (can't recall now)
  All this took place inland, I can't imagine what the mouth was looking like!
I guess what I'm getting at, is check the reports as mentioned above. Stay safe!
  I've seen the current entering the slough while on my OB (seperate trip)and GPS had me moving with it at 6mph.  It so happened that when we were headed back out of the slough we caught the out going tide, so we never had to fight it.

Troy

Thanks, guys, that's what I wanted to know.

Mike.

Hi Mike:

          I like Moss because the Harbor master doesn't hassle me when
I sleep in my truck during Salmon Season.
          Parking is about $5.0 at the Harbor Master Office. I
park next to the Johns. Parking tickets may also be purchased
from the Tackle Vendor next to the Johns.
          I have launched twice with no luck. Chuck caught a huge Butt
somewhere North of Moss Landing.
                                                                Good Luck
                                                                Ernie

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