Halibut fishing in Santa Cruz

Inspired by some legit reports, and additional rumors, I headed out to the Mile buoy area this morning.  Hlaibut off Capitola Pier, the Cement Ship, the recluse kayaker, Ron caught a few I heard, and also heard one commercial guy got 5 in one day last week, hook and line, location withheld.

Bocci Boy at the end of S dock has some nice sardines.  He says it's the earliest he has seen them in the Bay, and he is the Pro bait guy here.  Harbinger of a stupendous fishing season in Monterey Bay? 

Hope so. 

The water temp was 48, down from 52-54 last week.  This was a result of the 30kt NW winds that blew all week.

Great salmon water right now.   

There was a slight offshore breeze when I paddled out at 7am, and the water had a remnant bump from the wind yesterday.  pretty comfortable, though, and no Vertigo problems TG.

I talked to AlsHobieOutback who was further east fishing with Stoggie, hope they did well.

I fished 38 ft, 45 ft, 55 ft, and finally 65 ft by the buoy.  No halibut takedowns, though I caught a number of bolina rockfish, both on the bait and on a swimbait I was throwing with my spinning rod.  Fun!

They like the same general conditions as halibut, so hopes were kept high.

Alas, it was not to be today.

The weather was still nice, little wind when I headed in at noon for a Tacos Morenos al pastor burrito and a three hour nap.

Life is good.

Allen

You are living it Allen.  Thanks for the report but no thanks for the picture    Where's your camera???

Sonny's right, Al, we need some visuals outa you!     Sounds like a nice time on the water - thanks for sharin'.   

My wife has the camera in Washington DC tthis week.

My daughter has the other one in Japan this week.

yes, that is how I got away with a 3-hour nap today.

Oh yeah!

Maybe Oyster Point or ARW on Wednesday, anyone else free?

I really want to get the year's 1st halibut.

Allen

thanks for the inspiration! way to give it a go!

i don't know about the monterey-sc area but the kelp in SLO co. is super-thick for this time of year!!!

pj

I just get the feeling this year is going to be significantly different.  I am thinking halibut, and I am thinking albacore.  we are due for the albie cycle to go S-N instead of E-W like it's been the past four years.......

Allen

Thanks for the report Allen. BTW, what kind of bait were you using?
If the weather permits, I was thinking of going out again on this Friday. Not sure
though if ARW or OP.

Jedmo

Sardines from Bocci Boy.

Thanks for the great report sans halibut but still a good day on the water. Do you know what the water temp down there was while you were fishing? We dove up at Reef on saturday and it must have been in the high 40's. Slurpee headache for the first 5 minutes or so. Till the face numbed up a bit. I would like to come down and join you at SC sometime. Give a shout if you woulldn't mind. The only bummer is I have to work during the week ( oh thats right, I'm lucky to have a job. I keep telling myself that) so if you ever go on the weekend I am sure a couple of us Sonoma County boys would like to come down. Are you ever coming up to dive for abalone? Let me know I would love to show you Horseshoe if you haven't been there. This could be the last year for it. You also metioned somethinmg about a vertigo problem. I would like to know more about that. I get the same thing sometimes and it's kind of reaky. Take care, Craig

The water temp was 48, down from 52-54 last week.  This was a result of the 30kt NW winds that blew all week.

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Love to go fishing with you, Craig!

I go out all the time on the weekends, cause I work during the week as well. I usually post before going out, so you will see.  Not much of an ab diver, though I sure like to eat them, thanks for the invite.

Allen

The water temp was 48, down from 52-54 last week.  This was a result of the 30kt NW winds that blew all week.

Love to go fishing with you, Craig!

I go out all the time on the weekends, cause I work during the week as well. I usually post before going out, so you will see.  Not much of an ab diver, though I sure like to eat them, thanks for the invite.

Allen



 I will bring down some abalone with me. Sounds like a fun trip.






















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Way to get out there and thanks for the report.  If and when you know about arw, gimme a ring.  I might be able to get out there.  The weather may be foul though, we'll have to wait and see till tuesday I suppose.  JTF

Good try Allen. I might have heard something about halibut on this side of the bay too. maybe. Take care man!
PK

Hey JTF, I'm hooping for Wednesday, but you're right the weather doen't look promising.

Do you know where we could buy live bait up there??

I will stay ion touch with you over the next couple days.

Allen

Good report man.  Sounds like a decent trip even without the Hali's showing up to the party.