Santa cruz skiff 7/11

Planning to head to santa cruz on Saturday 7/11 and rent a skiff.  I have not kayaked sc yet before so i figured id scope it out first. Conditions look good. I will be watching ch 69. Im going to be fishing for lings and rocks. 

Do you guys have any tips for being on a skiff? And hot spots anyone want to share?
Anything to avoid?

I didn't know how many people can fit comfortably in the skiff, i will not be bringing much gear so there is a possibility there will be an open seat if anyone is interested in joining us, will split charges per person.  Will be there at 6:30am head back by 1pm at the latest.

Bob

You can fit 3 comfortable.stay out of the kelp or you'll run the risk of overheating the motor.fishing along the edge is always productive.i have a portable ff when I rent those so I can find the rocks . unfortunately I don't remember the exact spots are so I can't really tell you.but if you look at a map you can kinda chase down the reefs.goodluck

I'd recommend lighthouse point---lots of good areas around there.

I fish from those skiffs with my GF a few times a year. Fun times.

Lighthouse Point is good (near Steamer Lane). Also, if you head straight out to the "Mile Buoy", there is some good reef near there (right by the crosshairs in this pic).

Shrimp flies or jigs tipped with squid work well, as do swimbaits. Be prepared to release A LOT of small rockfish to find the good ones, and make sure you can identify canary rockfish. They were definitely in the mix last weekend.

 Thanks for the tip guys

Don't lie, you're renting a skiff because you're scared of    Have a great time and let us know how you do

Don't lie, you're renting a skiff because you're scared of    Have a great time and let us know how you do

Lol that too. and also my buddy doesn't have a kayak. Was going to just go to mbk and let him rent one, but i wanted to fish, not babysit since he has zero ocean experience. I wouldn't mind kayaking there if a bunch of other yaks are out there

REALLY hoped to see one last weekend but it didn't happen. I did see a chunky mola mola (probably 4 feet across) and hundreds of dolphins.

Are they first come, or reservation? I want to rent one some time and take some kids out.

They take reservations on the weekend (call well in advance, they get booked). During the week, its first come first serve (show up early).

Any report Bob?

Any luck?

-FF

Report: got there at about 7. They actually sold out and turned down a few people, put them on waiting list, but luckily i had made reservations.  It was just me and my buddy. His first time fishing ever.  We went out to the ree can area first and a little past. Then over to the light house. Bite was awesome til about 10:30pm. There were a lot of powerboats out, a few kayaks. Look like everyone was doing great.  Wind kicked in at 11 and started seeing some whitecaps, tried to fish but drift was too much and called it a day.

The catch: total between me and by buddy was 2 decent size lings, 8 blacks, couple olive, and a china.  Resleased one undersize ling, a few canaries, and a lot of dinks.  Most on swimbaits.

He caught the biggest ling, and it was one of the most awesome day for him. A great way to get into the hobby. 

Awesome catch! Thanks for the report. I was suppose to launch out of Capitola Boat Rental but they canceled on me saying the swells were too big.