From Sportfishing
Fish Report for 7-3-2009
Santa Cruz Sentinel Fish Report
7-3-2009
Allen Bushnell
Summer fishing season is in full swing now. And, it is shaping up to
be a very good season indeed. Despite the strong south swell that
swept in this week, fishcounts remain high for a variety of species
caught in the Monterey Bay. Things just keep getting better and better.
A local kayak angler capitalized on the proliferation of nearshore
threshers this week, and provided some literal meaning to the term
"smoking hot runs." Identified only as "Marc," the fisherman battled
and landed a young thresher from the area near Pleasure Point last
Friday. Caught with a live sardine on a single hook, reports on the
weight of the shark vary from 30-60 pounds. It took over an hour for
the kayak angler to land the fish all the while concerned his reel
might burn out. "Never been towed like that, or seen my reel smoke
before," he commented.
Our mainstay species are also on the bite. As the water warms and the
bait comes in to the shallows, rockfish and halibut are becoming much
more cooperative for local anglers. Jim Rubin from Captain Jimmy
Sportfishing reported limits of rockfish by noon on Thursday, working
the area near Ano Nuevo. "It's absolutely break-down gorgeous up here
today," Rubin exclaimed when filing his report. Fishing next to Rubin
was Gerry Brooks on the Doble. He had an almost identical report,
full limits by noon, as well as nice limits on Wednesday from the same
area of Vermillion, black and blue rockfish and a few lingcod for the
boat. Halibut also remain on the bite. It is turning into one of
our better halibut years. Rubin picked up two flatties for clients
last week, and Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine reports weighing in
"quite a few" halibut on Wednesday, including a limit from the Natural
Bridges area that topped out with a 26-pounder.
Capitola Boat and bait have similar comments this week. Rockfish are
biting on the local reefs near Capitola and Pleasure Point, and a
number of halibut were brought in by boat there. Manager Ed Burrell
reminds us that Saturday July 4 is another "Free Fishing Day."
Sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Game, no one needs
a fishing license this Saturday. It is a good time to bring the kids
out to Capitola Wharf, as the bite is on for mackerel, smelt, jumbo
sardines, and even the occasional legal halibut or striper caught from
the wharf.
Most exciting, perhaps, are the offshore conditions. A series of well-
defined water temperature breaks developed last week, some 30-60 miles
offshore. This is the water that holds albacore tuna. As the winds
died during the week, a few boats ventured out to the tuna grounds.
High score reported was for the vessel Ultimate, which reported 14
tuna on board as of Wednesday. Captain Mike Baxter, our local
albacore expert, is predicting good tuna fishing for this weekend due
to the temperature breaks combined with mild offshore conditions. "It
will be like a lake out there, with winds holding down to five knots,
and a very small swell." He recommends anglers travel north towards
the Guide Seamount or work the Sur Canyon area for albacore.
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