Bean Hollow and the Crapitola Flatties

Summers finally here and the Monterey Bay waters are about to go off hard. We've got 67-68 degree temps only 4 miles inside of the weather buoy, with he inside still being 56-58. I've got a feeling that the barracuda and seabass are gonna go off in the next month or so, when the water warms up a bit more and the squid show up in to spawn off the Capitola reefs. Some of my crew in the Santa Cruz Kelp Stalkers spearo club have been hitting the 20-30 lb seabass hard this year, with a good number of big fish stuck, and they're saying they've seen more juvies in the kelp beds off Jack Oneills and Soquel point than in previous years. Had one chase my fish trap yesterday, which got me pretty stoked!!

Bean Hollow: About 9 months ago I came down with an pretty gnarly heart condition, and my physical activity has been pretty severely restricted since then. The past few months I have been getting better and last Thursday marked my first Cali kayak fishing trip of the year. Rousted my housemate and Tania for an epic day on the water. The water was glassy the whole drive up, so we knew what we were in store for. Got to Bean Hollow as Chuck, Danglin and Skyboy were coming in with some nice lings, cabs and a few rokkies. Launched into ankle biters, headed out into 20-30 foot to the northside and started slinging fishtraps for a wide open cabbie bite. Caught and released over 8 phat cabs for the day!!... Pete and Tania kep their 1 fish limit and released a good handful as well. Went out deeper and pounded out our limits of lings, big fish goin 12 lbs. Caught a few small rockfish along the way, but they were a bit harder to find than is usually expected for this spot... until we started heading in. Tried trolling a white scampi for flatties, and instead ran into a school of the biggest blacks I've seen south of Mendo. Ended up limiting out right before heading in. Headed home and held the first fish taco party of the year!!... Interesting to note that the rockfish bite in the shallows didn't really turn on until mid-incoming high tide... And, the rockfish were all filled with jellyfish.

Capitola: Capitola is a pretty unique fishery, with the way the bay curves and creates the pocket. Warm water fish species hole up here after an El Nino year and the halibut seem to find it a great spot for spawning. Launched solo style at 8 am into glassy conditions, headed south to the Capitola Reef/New Brighton area and began slinging my fishtrap. Instantly hooked up into a spiny dogfish of around 15 pounds. Released this one then hooked another and another. This was fun, but got kinda annoying, so I decided to head to another flattie spot. Second cast with the FT on this spot hooked and landed a 12 lb flatties. The right type!! First flattie trip of the year, and first flattie. I've got a feeling its gonna be a good one!... Fished the same spot to hook and release two more shorties. Headed out deeper for the day, near the one mile reef. Had a seabass follow my fishtrap up... then the silver and grey ghost ducked away right under the boat!!... Headed back in later on the in the afternoon, and that was that. Great day, totally stoked, halibut tacos, and a fishtale about a seabass. Life's pretty damn good, and after being deathly sick earlier this year, I'm stoked to be alive and out at sea again!!

Brendan, good seeing you OTW.  I'm glad you're getting better.  Thanks for the update.

Nice reports Brendan!

good to hear you are feeling better!

J

Brendan,
It was nice to finally meet you and your gang. Glad you all had a successful day. Also good to hear your feeling better.

Hope to see you'll on the water more.

skyboy

Nice to Meet you too Brendon

  Glad to hear you've come through a difficult time and doing well,

  Look forward to some time on OTW someday,

  Tight linzs...........Danglin

Hey Brendan,
Thanks for the great report and encouraging news; not just about the potential for epic fishing this year (very encouraging) but also the good news about your improving health! Sounds like you've turned the corner and getting in the yak for some flatties should aid your recovery. I know that would make me feel better!

I've read a lot of your posts from the archives. Lots of insightful information shared. Thanks!
You seem to have a wealth of info so hopefully we'll get a chance to fish together soon. I am very interested in fishing some of the more-remote locations along the Big Sur coast.

Thanks again for the report!
PK

Good news in both departments,thanks for the encouraging forcast and glad you are felling up to yakin again.

You guys got into them at the Bean,sweet!