For fishing success, the southern portion of Monterey Bay should never be overlooked, especially during the summer season. As water temps rise with the season, we often see some “exotics” in the Carmel and Pacific Grove areas. We receive reports nearly every year of sheepshead, trigger fish and calico bass from that area. These are all considered Southern California fish. Northern species are always well represented, due to the locale’s habitat structure, clean water and abundant bait. This year, the numbers of fish caught reported by private boats as well as charter operations has been staggering. Chris’ Fishing Trips from Monterey remains the leader of the pack in terms of clients served and fish caught. They’ve reported nothing but full limits of fish since the season opened.

 

Owner Chris Arcoleo commented, “It’s been a massacre down here! Our boats are getting tons of reds. Vermilion, canaries and lots of bocaccio. Last week we caught 50 lings on one trip on top of the rockfish limits.” We’re catching lots of Petrale sole too.” Last Saturday, the Check Mate also added 300 mackerel to their tally.  Arcoleo reported  “There’s mackerel and sardines all over the place right now.  The guys on our other pier (Wharf #2) are catching buckets of sardines right now!” Chris’ is taking advantage of the newly opened areas beyond the 300-foot line. Arcoleo says the trips near Monterey are concentrating on the delicious chilipeppers from the deep reefs near Monterey, but  longer trips toward Point Sur are catching more “giant yellows” and bocaccio. Inshore, there’s still some squid around with halibut and rockfish scattered along the broad reach from Cannery Row to Sand City.  And of course, Arcoleo reminds us, “They’re still getting stripers all up and down the beaches here!”

 

The news is good from the Kahuna, launching out of Moss Landing as well.  Skipper Joey Stagnaro is in a pretty good mood these days. He said, “It’s raining chili’s! We’re having solid days on the outer bay. It’s full limits of quality fish!  In Santa Cruz, the big charter boats, Velocity and Legacy from Stagnaro’s Sportfishing are making full-day trips as well as half-day and twilight fishing trips. The full day reports cite limits from the deep reefs, while the shorter trips are getting limits or near limits from both deep and shallow water destinations. Captain Rodney Armstrong from Santa Cruz Coastal Charters fished inside this week on days when it was too windy offshore.  He reports a great mix of nearshore rockfish including olives, blues, blacks and yellows.