From Sportfishing
Fish Report for 12-4-2009
Santa Cruz Sentinel Fish Report
12-4-2009
Allen Bushnell
Crabs and 'dabs take top billing for Santa Cruz anglers this week,
though the going was tough due to wind and waves again.
Sand dabs are plentiful in the Monterey Bay, especially on the deeper
sand flats. The best concentrations of larger 'dabs have been found
in 200-300 feet of water, though we have received reports of sand
dabs caught recently in water as shallow as 80 feet. Skipper Ken
Stagnaro has found great success fishing the eastern edge of Soquel
Hole recently for sand dabs by the bucketful. Last Saturday, Mike
Baxter piloted the Velocity to that area with 19 anglers aboard
Stagnaro's flagship. Baxter found the fishing challenging with a big
swell and gusty winds. "Conditions were tough, but the clients were
game," Baxter said. "We fished 260 feet of water but the sand dabs
didn't bite as well, due to the swell. The big waves also stirred up
schools of kingfish," which provided some additional action and
helped to fill the bags. Baxter was impressed with a good number of
humpback whales in the area, which he terms "a bit unusual" for this
time of year. We should start seeing grey whales soon as they
migrate along our coast, but the humpbacks are very early.
Capitola Boat and Bait continues to rent fishing skiffs for the
season, though the floating dock is pulled for the winter. Ed
Burrell agrees the fishing has slowed for sand dabs, but should pick
up once the ocean flattens out. Pier anglers are starting to see
some nice perch from the Capitola wharf, including a few blacks as
well as "good sized" barred surfperch from the shallows, according to
Burrell. Jacksmelt and kingfish are providing action towards the end
of the wharf. Successful anglers are using sabikis and surf leaders
tipped with squid bits for all these species.
Pulling crab pots is difficult with the big swells, but local
crabbers continue to report good catches along our North Coast.
180-220 feet of water in the area north of Natural Bridges seems to
be producing the best. The market price for Dungeness dropped last
week as the commercial season opened in Northern California, creating
a glut on the market. Our local Dungeness are available at the
better butcher shops in town, as well as direct from select fishermen
at the Santa Cruz Harbor.
Steelhead season opened Monday on the San Lorenzo River and other
local streams. Flows will remain low and clear until we get some
significant rain. There may be a few adult steelhead in the river
already, but we have received reports only of small "egg-eater"
steelhead caught so far this week..
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