New member, looking to fish Monterey Bay

Hi Everyone.

Just wanted to test the waters and see if there were some anglers in my area.  I'm new to Santa Cruz, and haven't fished in the Pacific ocean before.  I'm not new to kayak fishing, or fishing in general, just new to the area.  Where I grew up in coastal GA, fishing was a big part of life and recreation.  I began kayak fishing in 2006 when my folks got me an Ocean Kayak Prowler 13.  Such an awesome gift, and an even better hobby.  I really fell in love with kayaking, and since I was already an avid fisherman, the kayak provided me a better opportunity at catching fish in locations that I previously wasn't able reach.  My favorite times fishing were spent deep in the marshes chasing Redfish (red drum, spotted sea bass) out into the creeks as the tide ran out. 

After a decade of use, the Prowler needed some love, so lately I've been replacing a few things to get her ready to fish again.  At this point, I need some advice on things.  Growing up in an area affords one with vast knowledge of all the good holes, reefs, and channels.  I do not have this knowledge of Monterey Bay.  This means that getting to know the area, fish, ocean bottom, etc is my first hurdle. Which leads me to my first question for NCKA.  What is it like fishing the Pacific?  I know that for my location, I'll be able to fish the surf, reefs, kelp forests, and piers.  Should I look into getting a sonar/gps for the reef fishing?  What rod/reel combo is going to suit these types of fishing best?  Also, does anyone want to go fishing?!!

                                                                         

Welcome first & foremost.  There are a number of us in the SC/Monterey area so be sure to look for hookups.  As you may or may not know yet, there are no fish in Santa Cruz    Ok, once in a great while there is a halibut to be found starting around April.

There is a TON of info on the site so get to reading!  Should take you only a couple of years to read thru it all    In actuality, there is a GREAT deal of info on here pertaining to every subject you mentioned.

In regards to a FF/GPS unit ... stay tuned.  I will be hosting a class before Salmon Season opens in the Santa Cruz area pertaining to this very subject.  Details will be posted soon.

Lots of good safety info here---that should be your first priority.

As for Santa Cruz, NCKAers can be found fishing there all the time in season. An easy (and popular) place to launch is the harbor (check out the "A" dock near Aldo's). From the harbor, you can probably reach most of the area from New Brighton to Natural Bridges. In spite of all the fishing pressure, there are a lot of rockfish and lingcod. Some people seem to catch halibut pretty regularly, and kayakers have been known to land salmon and white seabass.

Welcome aboard Charles 

Welcome!

Welcome to the madness! As you have been warned there are no fish in Santa Cruz! but there are a couple over in the Monterey side  Only a few of us know where they both hang out.  Let me know if you want to go out and test the waters (provided you have the basics in safety gear) Also sign up for the perch derby coming up. It's a great cause and an even greater get together for local folks who love fishing. You will meet some ncka folks and non yakers who are always willing to share their knowledge of areas and methods that they use. WARNING! watch out for all those A-HULLS! Those guys and gals will rot your mind....on purpose  If you don't mind a little wind and rain check out the fish n chill next weekend at forebay! There is always something going on here so warn your family and work you have a new addiction and won't be around much anymore and go for it 

Ebyekewabjeget

-Familiarize yourself with the important safety concepts here: http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=27534.0
-Monitor the local marine forecast to get a sense of how it translates to conditions OTW. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mtr/
-Study your target fish. Rockfish season usually open in May around here and many of them look similar. Here's a good chart: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=36305&inline=true  More free resources here: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/fishid.asp
-Keep an eye on current reports, so you know if there's a hot bite: http://fishingsantacruz.com/fishingreport.htm
-Know where you're going because it all looks the same once you get OTW and fog rolls in! http://webapp.navionics.com/?lang=en#@46.000000,12.000000,3z
-If someone posts a Hookup or invite to go fishing, then take advantage of the opportunity to paddle with someone who hopefully knows what they're doing.
-Consider taking an ocean paddling course (Monterey Bay Kayaks or Kayak Connection or CCK). Definitely know how to get back on your yak if you fall out.
-Hiring a local guide will also expedite the learning curve tremendously! http://www.santacruzkayakfishing.com/

Awesome, another SC newb!! When rock fishing opens in May you'll start to see some hookups from me. Feel free to tag along anytime.

As some have already stated, there are no fish in Santa Cruz. This is both true and false. Compared to other spots SC seems pretty bare but if you go with somebody who knows...

Welcome aboard and hope to see you on the water.

-FF

 http://www.santacruzkayakfishing.com/

Yeah that's me, but we can go out together as buds (Unless you really insist on paying me an obscene among of money). 

Lots of good advice above.  We really start fishing here in mid-March/April. Then it busts open in May through October.  You came to the right place!!

Bushy

Welcome!  You will see lots of hookups for the beginning of rockfish season.  There are people that will be out in SC almost every fish-able day of the year, as they are retired and can do things like that    Post up a hookup or look for one to be posted for dates your thinking of going.  Read up on the weather and safety stuff.  There is a tournament in Monterey a the Monterey Bay Kayaks shop (aka MBK) on May 2nd, and is a great time to meet people and find places to fish on that side of the bay.

Welcome! The SC/MB crew are a great bunch of guys and extremely knowledgeable fisherman. They'll get you straight real quick regarding baits, gear, locations and most important on the water/inshore safety measures. A bit different water than flats, creeks and marshes.

As mentioned, look for a local hookup and bring a tasty dish to share. Hope to see you OTW (on the water) sometime.

Mike

Theres nothing but sharks in the Monterey area you should stay closer to SC.

Theres nothing but sharks in the Monterey area you should stay closer to SC.

Heard HMB is MUCH better   

Welcome!!

Hope to see you out there soon!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Wow!   Thanks for the warm welcome and all tips!  I definitely am looking forward to the Spring when the fish, what little we have here in SC apparently , start biting!

I've been browsing around the site and reading a lot.  You weren't kidding Fishing for the Cure, there's heaps of good info around this website.  Seems like some of y'all know a thing or two.  Ears/eyes open and ready to learn! 

Firstly, the safety info is spot on.  Having been fishing for the better part of my life, I do understand just how important it is to go prepared and that it can go from a great day to deadly before you know it if you're not prepared.  I already had the majority of the items on there, minus those smoke flares, so I'm all set there.  Perhaps righting my kayak, and getting back on needs to be practiced, but really, once you learn to ride a bike, don't you always know how to ride a bike.  I agree with what everyone has said though, it is very important to know the weather/currents, to leave a float plan, and not to go alone if you're not familiar with the area.  We had the Coast Guard air station close to where I lived in GA and you wouldn't believe how many times we'd see the whirlly bird going offshore to provide assistance.  So I do have a solid understanding of the dangers associated with being on the water. 

Ebyekewabjeget, I'm ready to test these waters, but more importantly, the fish.  I know all about those V hulls, I mean A hulls.  I always gave kayaks and smaller boats a wide berth when I was driving our boat.  No one likes a 3' wake coming at them, that being said, I know that some people are just going to do them, and we all have to compensate for those turds.   

Thanks for all those links CenCoast!  NOAA is by far the best forecast site, and I always recommend it to my friends when they ask for the weather.  It's also the only option for marine forecasts so it's been my go to for more than a decade now.  Heck, before the internet came around, I was listening to NOAA over the VHF haha.  I've been trying to figure out which Santa Cruz fishing report was going to be the most reliable.  Will the posts be more frequent once the season picks up?  My kayak fishing bookmark folder just keeps getting bigger and bigger.  Thanks for rockfish link also.  I'll be picking up some fish charts and nautical charts of the area at The Anglers Choice on 41st ave.  Assuming they have them.  BTW, Anyone have an opinion on that place?  Familiarizing myself with the fish, limits, sizes and regulations will come with time. 

Bushy!  Your website, is part of the reason that I decided I needed to get back on my kayak and do some fishing.  The pictures of you (or your clients, I'm not sure what you look like lol) holding the massive halibut sealed the deal for me!  As soon as I laid eyes on that picture I knew that I had to get out there and catch one of those.

I would very much appreciate the opportunity to go fishing with any of y'all and I look forward to the hookups as spring comes around.  I wish I was retired and could go as much as I wanted, but I do work from home so maybe I'll sneak out on some weekdays if there's people headed out.  Hope to meet some of y'all soon!