Santa Cruz Wharf Intel

Hi Guys,

I am planning to take my daughter fishing there.  Any intel if the sardines or macs are around would be appreciated.

I was there yesterday with my family.  Didn't fish but walked around and went on the boardwalk.  Saw a few guys with small macs and perches.  Wasn't red hot.  Occasional 2 or 3 macs on a sabiki rig.

And don't go too far to the end of the wharf.  The guys closer to half way did better than the guys at the end. 

There is striped bass in Santa Cruz being caught with live bait. Good luck and have fun! Lots of macks

There is striped bass in Santa Cruz being caught with live bait. Good luck and have fun! Lots of macks

+1.  Good luck Mel!!! 

There were tons and tons of bait yesterday, i wasn't at the pier, but further out. It attracted a lot of activity including a juvi landlord.  Spanish macks if i heard right. I didnt target bait, but they were there.

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Fish for sardines and Macks towards the middle of the pier, north side usually holds better bait but harder to fish as restaurants are there, fill up a bucket, bring it to the most shallow "fish able" water you can that's legal you'll do ok, definitely doesn't produce like capitola pier will..

 I've caught some keepers off the capitola pier only a week ago and know they as well as halibut are abundant around that pier, I'd suggest going there, a little less traffic and better results..

If you go there fish off the end of the pier or middle section if it's later in the day, with a sabiki size 12 and 1 oz torpedo bring two buckets one with a rope to replenish fresh ocean water in one bucket, a pier net would be ideal, if you get a striper or halibut anywhere over 5lbs you'd be in trouble without one... Fish as shallow as you can but just past he breakers.. I use a Carolina style setup with a 4oz or 3 oz weight, 4 ft leader and 1/0 double hook setup (stinger the size of the bait spaced apart) one through the nose one through the tail..... Good luck!! Wherever you go it should be a beautiful day!!

Thanks for the tips!   

co-worker was out there on sat and all they pretty much caught was macks, some sardines, small perch, and a couple of octopus here and there.  oh, he did get a small butt too.  he said the kids had fun though.

good luck out there!

Is it about time already for Macs?  Post a report Mel. 
Shimesaba time

Heard from my co-worker that the sealions were out in full force, floating in a big pack towards the end of the wharf, and stealing lots of guys bait 

Aptos is my favorite spot to pier fish. The north side near the end is my spot. Macks Smelt and sting rays with a occasional leopard. And hey, there is a sunken ship at the end.

Aptos is my favorite spot to pier fish. The north side near the end is my spot. Macks Smelt and sting rays with a occasional leopard. And hey, there is a sunken ship at the end.

Born and raised on that pier.. They have 3/4 of it closed for the season due to the El Niño we had.. Almost ripped the boat in half and sideways!

Got some stripers off capitola mid day yesterday and it seems to be an everyday thing there... I'd say that's your best bet!!