Santa Cruz last Sat. was a wash.

Hi Yakers:

          I just had to go out and rinse off "Gumby". A great day to be
out but, the water was full of Brown Jelley fish which would sting my Macs and kill them. I did the 1 mile Can and West to Steamers then back to play in the Cove in back of Jaws. I did Aldos' which was O.K. if you like
fried Fish. I had lots Seal dog me because I was defrosting my Bait over the side while Drifting West. A typical No Bite at Santa Cruz!
         It was almost like Summer and I was treated to some Eye Candy while loading up to go over the hill at the West harbor. It was enough to make a grown Man cry!
                                                                      Ernie
                                         

What were you fishing for?  The Rock Fishing Season is closed.  If you were fishing for Halibut, how do you avoid catching Rock Fish or a Game Warden?

Hi Yakers:

    Santa Cruz was a Ghost Town. It's way to early for a good Bite. The Harbor PoPo was out. The Seal, Otters and Gulls where the only Peeps Eye balling me. 
                                                                           Ernie
                                                                           

I was treated to some Eye Candy while loading up to go over the hill at the West harbor. It was enough to make a grown Man cry!

   Talk about a grown man cryin' - NO PICS?!!  WTF, Ernie, I thought we could count on you, Dude!   

...and what were you fishing for?

Hi AbK:

       I should buy a W60 with all the wildlife
at the small boat launch .  I was fishing for a Butts and Macks.
                                                        Sea-ya
                                                        Ernie

Santa Cruz has lots of 'healthy' women.    

I miss the SC days and nights.

-Brian G

What were you fishing for?  The Rock Fishing Season is closed.  If you were fishing for Halibut, how do you avoid catching Rock Fish or a Game Warden?

khmunger

scallen took me out for my first yak trip last winter, we fished and was rigged for butts, I did catch a ling and released it and it was considered by-catch according to all I talked to. If you release the cod you are ok as far as I know.

Stoggie

Dude I wouldnt fish that area if you payed me it sucks!!!!! Way to give it A go though!

Dude I would'nt fish that area if you payed me it sucks!!!!! Wat to give it A go though!

Andy, Andy, Andy

While the fishing around santa cruz is not comparable to your haunts around monterey, it is still a good fishery.

I have been skunked there many times, but am starting to learn the areas and techniques and have had more successful days than not. Plus for me I can be on the water within 1/2 hour of getting out of bed, so I will continue to fish the SC area often.

You still need to give it a try for a few trips this coming year. You gotta go with me and I will go to your haunts next year as well.

Mendohead,

It's always a pleasure to be on the water catching or not, way to give it a go.


Stoggie

Halibut is open year round, but all RF and ling/cab/greenling must be released. I think you can even use multiple rods if you want.
How is the crabbing down there? Or the rockfishing on the jetty?

Not sure you can count on butts much this time of the year, I haven't heard much in the way of reports of anyone catching butts.

Crabbing is better up North from what I hear, again, I'm not that familiar with crabbing, though I do have 4 pots ready if anyone would like to school me.
Here is the Latest Bayside Marine report:

"The Humbolt Squid, Mackerel, and Crab have been the most consistent things to fish for recently. There is still a possibility of catching a Seabass or Halibut."

I wouldn't mind going out this weekend if the swells hold.

Stoggie

Yeah it's open but "off" season for halibut here.  Always a few caught eah wi=nter, never know where.....last one was over by Natural Bridges, though right out where Ernie was they've caught them in Dec, Jan, Feb, etc...So long shot but conceivable.

and yes, it's ok to catch and release RF and lings while fishing for halibut onnthe winter.Jjust as long as you aremnot "targeting" them.  Gotta release them all two rods is fine cause you're fishing for halibut, just getting rid of those pesky little 30-inch lingcods...haha

WTG Ernie, good paddle at least eh?

Allen

Stoggie, We were out together (somewhat, one time we met up) this year with Deva (fishflogger).  If you are getting a handle on SC Fishing, we need to hook up next season.  My Kayak is stored at the Harbor and the convenience makes me not want to give up on SC Fishing.  I know I can eventually beat this but the expertise is hard to come by.  We will eventually find the way to fish SC like any other spot.

If you are getting a handle on SC Fishing, we need to hook up next season.  My Kayak is stored at the Harbor and the convenience makes me not want to give up on SC Fishing.  I know I can eventually beat this but the expertise is hard to come by.  We will eventually find the way to fish SC like any other spot.

paddle out of the harbor, turn right.  Paddle to the wharf.  tie up, go up to stagnaros and buy your fish.  Head back down and return to harbor.

paddle out of the harbor, turn right.  Paddle to the wharf.  tie up, go up to stagnaros and buy your fish.  Head back down and return to harbor.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!    Yeah, I have given SC a lot of time, with not that much payoff.  Better off going to Capitola IMHO!