Santa Cruz tips?

Hey guys
I'm gonna be heading out to Santa Cruz pretty soon and some advice would be great! Ive never fished SC from a kayak before. I was planning to put in around the SC harbor, is there any areas near there that produce? If so what, and how do you usually go after them?
Thanks guys!

The salmon bite has been slow so far this season. There are good numbers of ling cod now- I would recommend swim baits in 50 to 70 feet off of the lighthouse or Natural Bridges. Try to focus on areas with structure. You may find cookie cutter smaller fish, but there are bigger models in the mix.

I haven't fished Santa Cruz, but... Bushy guides out of SC.  Always nice to have a pro get you started out and put you on fish. Good luck and post your report! 

KC-

try to make it down to MBK Derby this saturday  I can give you good directions as to where to fish right now in Santa Cruz.  Otherwise, hook up with one of the gang that fishes there regularly for a go out......

Good Luck

The salmon bite has been slow so far this season. There are good numbers of ling cod now- I would recommend swim baits in 50 to 70 feet off of the lighthouse or Natural Bridges. Try to focus on areas with structure. You may find cookie cutter smaller fish, but there are bigger models in the mix.

This is good advise.

-FF

The salmon bite has been slow so far this season. There are good numbers of ling cod now- I would recommend swim baits in 50 to 70 feet off of the lighthouse or Natural Bridges. Try to focus on areas with structure. You may find cookie cutter smaller fish, but there are bigger models in the mix.

This is good advise.

-FF

+1

Here is the BEST advice I can give on fishing SC.




Don't expect much! 




But also the advice listed here is good 

Here is the BEST advice I can give on fishing SC.




Don't expect much! 


But also the advice listed here is good 

ADVICE: Follow ALs!!!!!!

I've found that areas within reasonable distance to SC Harbor get's a lot of RF fishing pressure.  I am GLAD to hear (and see pictures proving) that the fish are starting to come back in good numbers!  Last time I chartered a boat out of there (~8 years ago), we were catching & having to keep little 8" RF till we caught limits 

This time of year we see bigger fish inshore.  Fall is when the bigger fish split, and the little schoolies take over.  Monterey Del Monte is like that too...  Further up the coast in Fall is productive, just like further down the coast along Monterey Penninsula.

Bushy

This time of year we see bigger fish inshore.  Fall is when the bigger fish split, and the little schoolies take over.  Monterey Del Monte is like that too...  Further up the coast in Fall is productive, just like further down the coast along Monterey Penninsula.

Bushy

Sounds about right ... my last charter in S.C. was October timeframe.

Ok thanks for all the advice guys!

A lesson I learned near SC Harbor: be ready for Thresher pressure.

I was aiming for a Hali, but hooked a Thresher and quickly found my tackle to be undersized and lost it.

Eating lunch near the bridge.  There were whales all over the place out front, including this juvenile just out front of the lighthouse that was getting corraled by a bunch of PB and kayakers. 

Not sure why the picture sucked so bad, i saw four/five breaches in quick succession.  gotta mean bait, them aint out for a tan lol

My advice is go north or south. No fish in Santa Cruz.