SC Harbor Combat Fishing with pic.

Had a Chance to scope out the combat fishing in Santa Cruz Harbor today! And it was just that. I finished my one service call in the area at 3pm and headed towards the North Harbor. I never been there and didn't now what to expect but i did my research before i left the house. That was making the phone call to fish and game and SC Harbormasters office to get the info i needed. I get there and first thing i see is a lot of people hanging around the coverts and poles bending. I drive till i find a parking spot way in the back, get my stuff ready to make the walk to the combat line.
On the way i stop to talk to this  guy cleaning his salmon

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once I get to the combat line... I wait and shoot some video



once I get on the line it only took less then three cast and fifteen minuets of combat before i got this. Used a 2/0 barbless hook with some bright green yarn and a puff ball.


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Nice!! WTG Alex! 


Kiel

Sweet! I have been thinking about a trip down that way.

sweet. im headed there tomorrow. jumping outta my skin right now!!!

Congrats on the pink meat.  Thanks for the report and picture Alex.

Thanks all, I would of stayed longer but didn't have a cooler with me and the meter was running out. My fish was 13lb. dressed. Lots of fish being caught and a lot of being farmed. The people down there are really cool. They have a system where when any body hooks up, they will help you net it.  Good luck and have fun. I did

wow...  what's the hook up ratio?  is everyone catching fish, or just a few?  it's not glamorous but the end result is damn tasty (and cheap)!

is it limited to certain hours in the day?

And you didn't have to paddle?
Just like surf perching?
Congrats Bro! That's an awesome way to catch some pinks.

Hell yea Alex...congrats.

Congrats bro!  Glad you got in on the action!  I was stoked and ready to go but the no yak fishing inside the harbor rule killed the deal. How was the meat quality?

Way to go Alex 

  holy moly I know where ill be spending my afternoon heading in to work now and will stop by after work to give it a shot

Nice fish Alex! Anyone know why the salmon are in SC harbor? Are they feeding on bait? Or is there a creek running into the harbor?

wow...  what's the hook up ratio?  is everyone catching fish, or just a few?  it's not glamorous but the end result is damn tasty (and cheap)!

is it limited to certain hours in the day?

I can't say everyone was catching fish and the Harbor Master say from sun up till sun down. CA Regs say diffrent. I would follow the Harbor Masters rules. But the hookup was non stop when i was there. It was like this, your on the line and you cast out in front of you (No over head casting Harbor patrol is there keeping the peace) along with everyone. Not a minute goes by and someone yells out, Fish On! So, following the local rules and courtesy to the fisherman fighting the fish, everyone reels in and let the fishermen and the two netters do there job. Once the fish is netted or farmed the line is clear and everyone cast out again...
Some of the Locals i talked to said this bite just started to pick up and best time is Early morning on a high tide. I was there on the out going. Here's a pic of the Hook set up, I used 2/0 barbless Yarn and a puff ball with a small split shot 18" above the hook. 12lb test.
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Nice fish Alex! Anyone know why the salmon are in SC harbor? Are they feeding on bait? Or is there a creek running into the harbor?

These are the salmon from the Salmon&trout program that they released in the Harbor and there just returning. The SC Sand Crab Perch Tourney That Allen Bushnell Puts on every year benefits this program.

Right on Alex!

Nice fish Alex! Anyone know why the salmon are in SC harbor? Are they feeding on bait? Or is there a creek running into the harbor?

The parking lady attendant (whom you were evading in the past, Tim  ) mentioned something about some organization (whether dfg or other private org) planting salmon in the harbor. I didnt really get all the details. Thats why she mentioned at times, the seals would flock in the harbor.