25 replies to this topic

[LONGBOWJAY]

Ok salmon season is on! It opens april 2nd 24 Inch min 2 fish per day and open 7 days a week. This is for pigeon pt. south to mexico border

[bzzrd feedr]

Hadn't heard for sure what was going to come down. That's good news. Hope there are some fish out there to make it worth while. Last year was tough.

[LONGBOWJAY]

the projected run this year is 225,000 to 765,000 salmon which will make a great season.we managed to get 50 kings last year out of santa cruz

[homemade]

never tried fishing for salmon yet bet it can get exciting with a big one hooked

[Truckeedan]

Not as exciting as having three big ones on a the same time in a 16 ft boat!

[bzzrd feedr]

the projected run this year is 225,000 to 765,000 salmon which will make a great season.we managed to get 50 kings last year out of santa cruz

I know you guys worked for and know what you're doing to get 50 fish last year. That trolling at 300' is tough for a old fart. I've heard some rumors of some Sea Bass showing out in front of my place in Monterey. If this weather ever settles down a little will have to try for them before the 2nd. What's your handle out there? If the fish are at Soquel I usually launch out of Moss. Go by Hoagie or Arrh Rated.

[LONGBOWJAY]

We are on the Pickle Barrel A 16' C-dory . Our boat is in santa cruz harbor which is closed do to the tsunami. we should be able to get out for the opener. As for fishing before then ? plus it is going to rain for about ten daysI would definately be interested in meeting you and go fishing sometime what kind of boat do you have? And yes we fished Hard and deep for those fish all but a handfull coming from 280-300 feet on the wire.

[whatjeffhunts]

Never been salmon fishing before. Anyone know of any good Charters out of Monterrey Bay that wont charge an arm and a leg?

[LONGBOWJAY]

Try randy's or chris's fishing trips off of monterey wharf should be around 70.00 for salmon. They rent rods and gear for about 15-20 bucks more or you can go out of Santa Cruz with Stagnaro charters for the same money

[whatjeffhunts]

I was looking at Stagnaro's since my family has been going to their restaurant for years, but I just dont know about a large party boat for salmon I guess is my question. I warf fish so I have alot of heavy tackle.

[LONGBOWJAY]

party boats are great choice and really are not that expensive . You need to check the fish reports and go when the bite is on. I will give reports here on what is going on. you can always check baysidemarinesc.com it is a local bait and tackle shop in santa cruz harbor and gives the latest fish report for santa cruz every day during the season .

[bzzrd feedr]

I would also check out the Kahuna out of Moss Landing. Don Davi is a great skipper and works his butt off. If the anchovies are in the bay which is the report and we can mooch shallow, the party boats in Monterey Bay are great. I'm not aware of any party boats that still troll and even if there were they can't troll deep with 20+ fishermen on board. Best to keep your ear to the ground and like Longbow says if it starts happening get over there.

[whatjeffhunts]

Thanks guys. Once April 1st ill keep checking the reports. Interested in Kahuna out of Moss Landing.

[bzzrd feedr]

I just noticed you're from Fresno. You need to check around locally for fisherman. There is a armada of sport boats that come over from Fresno. They call them the Fressburg Navy!!! LOL

[whatjeffhunts]

Lol. I had a friend with a nice 27' cc but he sold it a couple years ago. I have a few friends with bass boats but... Im not a bass fishermen, just trout and pretty much anything in salt water. Just got a new trout poll today, gonne test it out next weekend since I wont be doing spring turkey.

[black_dog]

I was talking to a buddy who is a commercial salmon fishermen and he said, boats are picking up salmon while fishing for sand dabs. So fish are fairly shallow and seems to be a lot. This was three weeks ago.

[bzzrd feedr]

black dog I don't know about shallow? Sandabs are usually on the bottom and over 200' for the nice size ones. I've also heard and verified some incidental Salmon being caught. Next Saturday when the fleet gets out there will be the true test. I just hope we don't get run over by one of the idiots that are always out there. Last year two boats collided out there while trolling, just not paying attention. Also with Crab season going there will still be some pots out. (My buddies have already pulled there's) I watched a little Whaler hook a downrigger on a crab pot line last year and swamp his boat. No one was hurt and they were pulled out right away. Those self inflating life jackets are a good idea out there.

[LONGBOWJAY]

It just amazes me how many people troll out there and do not look where they are going . but what really pisses me off is when you make turn to avoid them and they turn right into you. my guess is Salmon will deep in the mud. Unlessthere are haystacks of bait then we will be fishing 40' to 150' OTW in 250'-300' feet of water . If water temp is 55 or more we will fish deep .

[bzzrd feedr]

I'm going to get out on the water tomorrow for a recon mission. Rumor has it that they've been catching squid, mackeral, sardines and a few anchovies right off the commercial pier. There's a bunch of skiffs out today. You may be right Jay but the water temp. @ the weather buoy is 53' and at Lover's Point is 54'. I just talked to the guys out on the water and they are not seeing much if any bait. Storms could have scattered it. I hope we don't have to go into the mud but I'm prepared if necessary. I'll talk to a couple die hards that are on the water all the time and let you know what I find out. Sure be fun to be able to catch some fish on the mooch for a change.

[LONGBOWJAY]

mooching is a favorite but we need lotsa baitfish

[Truckeedan]

Weather report sounds like "Victory at Sea" for the opener. Everybody better stay home!!! No sense all you coyote hunters getting sick out there.

[bzzrd feedr]

NO NO Dan we need all those chummers!!!! They keep the fish on the bite!!! Just keep up wind!!!

[autocrosser78]

I need to go this year for some Salmon. It has been years since my dad and I went deep sea fishing. My brother in law and I are planning a trip hopefully out of Monterey.

[Truckeedan]

Quite a few salmon in the Bay for the opener. Lots of shakers but enough keepers to to average a fish or two per boat. Some guys got more some got none. The boats fishing the Monterey side of the bay from Moss Landing to Soldiers seemed to do a little better than we did on the Santa Cruz side based on the radio chatter.We had carb trouble on our boat and missed the opener on Sat. and Sun. but caught a ride with a friend on Monday and Today. We had a 10 pounder on Monday and tossed back 4 or 5 shakers. Today we farmed a large fish estimated to be around 20 lbs at the boat and landed a 13 and 14 pounder and released a couple of shakers.We got the boat in the shop this afternoon and should be back on the water by the weekend. Photo below is Longbow Jay with today's catch.  Longbow_Jay.jpg   72.1K   19 downloads

[Braz]

Those are sure pretty fish.

[bzzrd feedr]

Sorry to hear about your boat problems. We fished the So. side of the canyon Sat. for 6 and Sun. for 6 skunk on Mon. and 4 on Tues. All similar size to the posted fish. Biggest fish 14# Blow out now and getting some electronic issues fixed. Be back at it when it lays down. The fish are there for sure. Those krill fed salmon are dam hard to beat. Forgot to mention Sat. I was putting the thump on a fish and the boat was sideways to the swell. It was rough. I got slammed into the side of the boat and 6 stitches at the emergency room later I eat that Salmon. end of story.