Saltwater Report

Well, we've needed a good wet winter for a while now. Stormy weather is keeping most boats inside the harbor, but perch fishing is starting to come on strong.

Quite a few local anglers are pre-fishing for the upcoming Sand Crab Classic Perch Tournament. Scheduled for February 23 this year, the annual event benefits the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project.

Perennial Sand Crab contestant Bob Schneider worked the beaches near Moss Landing last week before sunup. Schneider caught a 2-pound 10-ounce barred surfperch while fishing the rip currents south of the harbor entrance, using the popular GULP sandworm for a 15 ??-inch beauty. Beaches from Santa Cruz Harbor to Monterey are starting to show good perch fishing structure, and reports of good catches are increasing. Pier fishing for perch can be productive as well, according to Ed Burrell at Capitola Boat and Bait. He has seen mostly barred surf perch this week, with a smattering of black and rainbow perch coming over the rail in Capitola.

We have not heard exactly when rockfish season will open this year, but remember it remains legal to catch rockfish and lingcod from the shore during the off-season. Angler Patrick Kuhl from Marina is a dedicated aficionado of this technique, and does quite well, usually. Last week Kuhl and a companion shore-fished an area south of Carmel for numerous rockfish, one kelp greenling and five cabezone up to 22.5 inches. Most fish were released.

Kuhl recommends using a long nine-eleven foot rod with 30-50 pound test braided line to cut the kelp. For terminal tackle, he ties two dropper loops 18 inches up from a three or four-ounce torpedo weight. The torpedo casts well and is less likely to snag on the rocks, according to Kuhl.

While he mainly fishes the south part of Monterey Bay, Kuhl says many of Santa Cruz North Coast spots can produce similar results. Pigeon Point, Bean Hollow and Pescadaro are favored locations for this experienced shore angler. Kuhl also reminds us that Greyhound Rock is one of the few Marine Protected areas that allow shore fishing for rockfish.