Santa Cruz 5/12

Arrived at the Harbor @ 5:30am, napped till 6am. Talk to the harbor patrol, then on the water at 6:30, the water and conditions were great, no fog, no wind. There was only one other PB boat out by the buoy, they weren't there long. I started at the kelp in front of the light house, marked a lot of fish on the bottom and around the kelp. But I just couldn't get anything to hit.   Paddle and fished the kelp north to the hazard buoy, saw a lot of fish on  the fish finder, but nothing was bitting.

The Seals were thick, and kept following me all morning. As I was paddling back calling it a bust for fishing, but a great day to be out. I was in the zone of paddling, when all of a sudden there was a splashing just behind me. I turned to see nothing but a wall of water and something gray in the air. For and instant my heart stopped, until I realized it was a harbor seal  . The dammed thing! It was only about 2' of the back of my yak!

Off the water around 11am with out even a king fish bitting...

Craigh

That was my experience on 5/2 in the same area, but had whales jumping rather than seals. Thanks for the report. Glad you were marking fish, now they just need to wake up.
Steve

with out even a king fish bitting...

 

SC is like an old lady with attitude who wouldn't put out but she sure likes to tease though... 

craig:  At least you tried. Really looks like the south side of the bay is the place to fish this early season. 

what were you showing them?  In these conditions, I'd use straight bait, whole squid or anchovy.....OR (secret weapon)...a #10 sabiki cut down to 2 hooks, with tiny squid bits........

Allen

I've had the same expierence. Lots of whales and seals but no fish. Only a few soft takes and there off the hook is seconds. I've been making the drive south to Monterey bay and doing much better there. I have no idea what is wrong with my back yard (I'm five minutes from the harbor) Last year opener was pretty good with my personal best of 9 lings in one day.

All I took out with me was the bare min, shrimp flies with squid, and a small diamond bar jig. Next trip will be up around Port Angeles in June, if I can't squeak in another day off before June.

Craigh