Wind and waves are finally calming down, and Monterey Bay anglers are reaping the rewards. Nearshore fish, especially halibut can be put off the bite when big south swells are rolling through. Heavy winds make it tough for boats to put in time on the water, especially those venturing further offshore. This week, conditions were mild enough that everyone benefited.

Halibut have moved back into shallow feeding waters. Folks are using live bait or lures from the area fishing piers and landing keepers. Surfcasters are also finding flatties from protected coves and beaches around the bay. Boaters can troll, or drift bait for halibut and are finding success in waters anywhere from 30 feet deep and out to 80. The big mamas are in now, so catches of halibut in the 20 to 30-pound range are fairly common right now.

Rockfishing remains steady and strong, both nearshore and from the deep reefs outside Point Pinos, Santa Cruz and off the North Coast. Charter boats rarely miss limits, even on the blustery wind days. The boats are big enough and skippers skilled enough to stay on the deep reefs that produce big bags of hefty vermilion, chili peppers and bocaccio. J&M Sportfishing in Monterey counted limits of up to 190 rockod and 10 lingcod from their trips this week. 

Salmon fishing is still a viable option. We would characterize fishing for kings in Monterey Bay these days as “slow and steady,” with the accent on slow. Those salmon that are being caught are usually a result of trolling near the bottom in 140 to 250 feet of water. The large schools of Sacramento River salmon seem to have moved north. Anglers from Half Moon Bay, Pacifica and off the Marin Coastline are doing very well right now. This is a typical pattern for late summer/early fall salmon fishing.

Two semi-exotic bonuses for our fishing brethren in the area are split between inshore and offshore fishing. We have a marked increase in white sea bass biting in 30-70 feet of water. The best area has been Capitola down to the Pajaro area. Find the big bait balls in order to get a chance at the powerful “ghost fish.”. Their size ranges from barely legal (28-inches) to over 60 pound tankers. These are transient fish hanging out in the bay to feed on market squid and the huge schools of mackerel and other finfish baits in the bay. 

Offshore anglers are finally able to put some time in safely while traveling some 30 to 60 miles from our Monterey Bay harbors. Big bluefin tuna have been in that area for months and it’s now easier to reach them and spend some time trying to hookup. Quite a few proud fishermen have reported bluefin catches this past week, especially Ben Demeter from Santa Cruz. On his tiny Arima cuddy cabin “Ben Fishing,” Demeter traveled straight out towards the 601 weather buoy, hooked and landed a gargantuan 275-pound bluefin earlier this week. Tuna expert Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine advises, “Bluefin are moving closer to Santa Cruz. The boats caught some bluefin between the Fingers and the 601. There were some bluefin caught trolling Mad Mack's and mackerel. The anglers coming home from bluefin fishing saw a school of bluefin 10 miles straight out of Santa Cruz. These bluefin are in the 75-300 pound range.”