Santa Cruz info

Hi everyone,
Looking for some general info for my first visit to Santa Cruz. Things like where to launch, general location of the fishing grounds, dangers/concerns specific to that area.
Also is crabbing a thing there? Are there squids in that area?
Thanks!

Hi everyone,
Looking for some general info for my first visit to Santa Cruz. Things like where to launch, general location of the fishing grounds, dangers/concerns specific to that area.
Also is crabbing a thing there? Are there squids in that area?
Thanks!

I'd suggest launching from the "A" dock in the harbor. Halibut can be caught straight out from the harbor towards the mile buoy and all around that general area. The usual dangers apply, but generally an easy launch/landing from the harbor. Kayak crabbing is pretty much limited to rock crabs.

I was out there for a brief time yesterday, and there was some bait (and birds). I didn't try a sabiki, so I'm not 100% sure, but I'm 99% certain it was anchovies--no squid that I was aware of.

When do you plan to go?

Thanks for the info! Just to be sure, the mile buoy being the one I circled right?
How is rockfish/lingcod fishing there?
I’m not sure when I’ll go, but since I now live at the same distance from Halfmoon Bay and Santa Cruz, I was wondering how is it different and when/why to pick one over the other. Do you fish there regularly?

Thanks for the info! Just to be sure, the mile buoy being the one I circled right?
How is rockfish/lingcod fishing there?
I’m not sure when I’ll go, but since I now live at the same distance from Halfmoon Bay and Santa Cruz, I was wondering how is it different and when/why to pick one over the other. Do you fish there regularly?

Yes, that's the mile buoy. It's a whistle buoy, and in spite of it's name, it is about 1.5 miles from the launch in the harbor. And, yes, I fish Santa Cruz frequently during the summer.

There is a lot of fishing pressure in Santa Cruz. There are good numbers of rockfish and lingcod, but due to the fishing pressure, the average size is more modest than you might find elsewhere. At times, the halibut fishing can be great, but halibut are finicky and unpredictable fish.

I can't really compare it to Halfmoon Bay, as I'm too lazy to drive that far to fish...

Got it, thanks for the info!

SC is more protected from wind and swell, so use the conditions as a reason to pick one over the other.  Also in HMB there are crab so if you wanted to give that a shot that's where you want to go.  I'd also just caution going out alone your first time at either location.  Be aware of boaters who can be careless for a floating piece of plastic

Check out Capitola as well. It can be nice and flat in the summer with good fishing close to shore.

Check out Capitola as well. It can be nice and flat in the summer with good fishing close to shore.

This right here. Super easy beach launch and fewer boats on the water.

I’ve never kayaked at capitola. Is it recommended to drop your stuff off and park on the side of the road where the public parking is?

You can, but it's metered there.  If you go one street higher you can park for free.  When loading/unloading at the base of the wharf be careful to not take too long or can get a ticket. 

I’ve never kayaked at capitola. Is it recommended to drop your stuff off and park on the side of the road where the public parking is?

That’s what I’ve always done. Unload at the base of the wharf, get your rig on the beach, then park up on Prospect for free. The metered parking is closer but there’s a time limit.

SC is more protected from wind and swell, so use the conditions as a reason to pick one over the other.  Also in HMB there are crab so if you wanted to give that a shot that's where you want to go.  I'd also just caution going out alone your first time at either location.  Be aware of boaters who can be careless for a floating piece of plastic

Great, that’s very useful. I will also take a look at Capitola, though I never tried a beach launch 

Capitola is probably the easiest beach launch out there, aside from in the bay/delta. On nice weather days, there are hardly any waves.  Getting the kayak to the water is also very easy - very short sand section and no big rocks or obstacles to get over/around.

I also park on Prospect. Never had an issue parking there, and spots are generally available, especially first thing in the morning. Easy walk down the stairs to the beach. Drop off gear by the wharf, go park, and then launch.

Capitola is probably the easiest beach launch out there, aside from in the bay/delta.

MBK in Monterey is easier...

Capitola is probably the easiest beach launch out there, aside from in the bay/delta.

MBK in Monterey is easier...

Oh wow, haha.  I've never launched there, but I've wanted to for a long time.  Hearing the launch is super easy makes it that much more appealing to me - will have to make it down there for RF/Lingcod season this year.