Saturday -- early season halibut out of Santa Cruz

Saturday's (3/8) forecast looks good to try for some early season halibut out of Santa Cruz. Perhaps I'll see some of y'all out there.

Good luck this weekend newbanquestu
  Looking forward to your report.

Thinking Sunday now. Swell forecast has really bounced around this week.

Thinking Sunday now. Swell forecast has really bounced around this week.

If you are launching from the harbor, based on the latest soundings, it seems to be shoaled, with the depth only being about 6' to 7', and surf sometimes breaking across the jaws. It doesn't look too bad on the webcam right now, though:

https://www.santacruzharbor.org/santa-cruz-harbor-webcam

Anyways, good luck, and be sure to post a report!

If you are launching from the harbor, based on the latest soundings, it seems to be shoaled, with the depth only being about 6' to 7', and surf sometimes breaking across the jaws. It doesn't look too bad on the webcam right now, though:

https://www.santacruzharbor.org/santa-cruz-harbor-webcam

Anyways, good luck, and be sure to post a report!

Crucial and timely local intell right there.

#NCKARules

If you are launching from the harbor, based on the latest soundings, it seems to be shoaled, with the depth only being about 6' to 7', and surf sometimes breaking across the jaws. It doesn't look too bad on the webcam right now, though:

https://www.santacruzharbor.org/santa-cruz-harbor-webcam

Anyways, good luck, and be sure to post a report!

Yeah, heading out on the outgoing tide, there were some bigger humps there, but nothing breaking. But coming back on the incoming tide, maybe 1 in 5 sets were breaking fully at the mouth and needed to be timed around.

Beautiful day on the water though. Unfortunately, no halibut, but some nice-sized lings and a PB hog of a salmon (all safely released kayakside) helped me wash off the skunk smell the American River has been lathering on thick this season.

Water temp 51 in morning, 54 in afternoon. Targeted 55-85', mostly trolling. Great water clarity on the west side. Started to brown a bit nearing Pleasure Point. Harbor was swarming with tiny anchovies. Saw a few that could be bait sized, but probably would've needed a cast net. Otherwise, didn't see any other bait out there.

If you are launching from the harbor, based on the latest soundings, it seems to be shoaled, with the depth only being about 6' to 7', and surf sometimes breaking across the jaws. It doesn't look too bad on the webcam right now, though:

https://www.santacruzharbor.org/santa-cruz-harbor-webcam

Anyways, good luck, and be sure to post a report!

Yeah, heading out on the outgoing tide, there were some bigger humps there, but nothing breaking. But coming back on the incoming tide, maybe 1 in 5 sets were breaking fully at the mouth and needed to be timed around.

Beautiful day on the water though. Unfortunately, no halibut, but some nice-sized lings and a PB hog of a salmon (all safely released kayakside) helped me wash off the skunk smell the American River has been lathering on thick this season.

Water temp 51 in morning, 54 in afternoon. Targeted 55-85', mostly trolling. Great water clarity on the west side. Started to brown a bit nearing Pleasure Point. Harbor was swarming with tiny anchovies. Saw a few that could be bait sized, but probably would've needed a cast net. Otherwise, didn't see any other bait out there.

Thanks for the report. Can't wait to get out again this year. I'll be hunting my first hali.

thanks for the report!   

Thanks for the Halibut scouting report newbanquestu.

Appreciate the report!! Hopefully the dredge breaks through the buildup at the harbor mouth soon. Good progress happening. And I do believe it will be another year of anchovy abundance in the area. There were so many last year and they’ve been around for a bit already.

Thank you for the report.
How awesome to get a PB salmon, even if it had to be released.

Thanks for the report—salmon must’ve been a surprise.

I was pedaling around the harbor this afternoon just to test out a few things. Anchovies, birds (never seen so many pelicans), and sea lions were thick, and a surfer was getting some good action…

Thanks for the report