SC 4/20

TLDR version
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The water is cold. Still searching for that elusive first halibut of the season...


TL version
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I bought an annual launch pass for the Santa Cruz harbor. So to get my money's worth I've launched several times recently, mostly just brief afternoon sessions to sail my AI, but I have put a line in the water for a few hours. I've been fishing fairly close to the harbor, and trying to avoid the obvious rockfish areas. Prior to yesterday, I'd only hooked a couple of (nice) rockfish, one of which included a large hitchhiker lingcod (now I know where I'm fishing on opening day of the nearshore RF season).

Yesterday, I decided to make a slightly more serious attempt at fishing. I launched late (about 8:30), as I didn't think there would much wind until well after noon, and being lazy, I wanted to sail back to the harbor. Outside the harbor the water temp was 52-point-something degrees.

I mostly fished about a mile or so east of the mile buoy, from 40 to 70 fow. It took a couple hours to find any bait, but then I did hook 3 nice sardines on my sabiki, and managed to get 2 of them in the boat. Later I got 3 smelt. I was optimistic, but sadly, that was the extent of the catching.

The excitement for the day came shortly after I caught the sardines. I'd just gotten them unhooked when the biggest sea lion I've ever seen surfaced with a huge splash about 10' in front of me. It stayed there, staring me down for what seemed like hours, but was probably just a couple of minutes.

Thank you for the report.  I am sure you will get one soon.
I always enjoyed catching halibut from SC, but it will be a difficult trip since I retired to Fort Bragg.

Sweet! I was really hoping to be on the ocean yesterday, but opted for freshwater instead. Maybe next week!

Glad to see a report from SC and that you were able to score some good bait.  Still water is a bit cold and so are the outside temps, I just cant bring myself to go out and be cold when I am already doing that at home  I'm betting you will be on a big butt soon enough and hopefully get it all on video.  Those big sea lions are of course just jealous of your cool sail setup 

Thanks for the report! Got the annual car top pass as well and have been out a couple of times. One more weekend of halibut-only before the reef opens for business!

Thanks for the report

Thanks for the report 👍

No photo of the gigantic sea lion? 

Looks like a nice day.   

No photo of the gigantic sea lion? 

Looks like a nice day.   

No, as I was too busy grabbing my gaff and preparing to swing for the fences...

Thanks for the report and pictures NWM.

Can’t wait to get out there…. Thanks for the report and pics 🤙