White sea bass fishing has heated up recently as the large fish started feeding on squid, entertaining fishermen in the bay. Anglers off Pajaro caught sea bass to 60 pounds, while some are still being caught off Monterey and Half Moon Bay. Albacore are also a great bet for anglers as the weather calms down and the warm water gets closer to shore. Salmon fishing has started to take the back seat for local fishermen.
I was fortunate enough to fish for white sea bass recently with fellow angler Matt Hansman aboard the “Polish Jig.”
We steamed from the Santa Cruz Port at 4 a.m. and positioned the boat among a temperature break where two currents were merging. We set the lines out with 30-pound line, 4/0 hooks baited with fresh squid.
It didn’t take long for the hissing sound of a reel going off while a monster sea bass took the bait. The tone echoed as two more rods got bit. It was pandemonium for 20 minutes as we tried to capture the monster bass.
When the smoke settled Hansman had three big sea bass lying on the deck of the boat. After a high five, we set the gear back out and were blessed with a few more fish. It was a memorable day on the bay, as we appreciated the magnificent fish and the opportunity to catch them here in our home waters.
It is legal to fish for sea bass with more than one rod out per angler. The limit is three, and the minimum size is 28 inches. Barbed hooks are legal. If a salmon is caught with this gear, it must be released, although halibut are fair game with these techniques and can be a pleasant surprise.
The sea bass will remain in the bay through the fall the full moons. Spawning squid helps the bite.
Albacore are starting to take center stage as the weather subsides. Monterey Bay and its outer waters had not been blessed with warm water in close proximity this year, but things are changing and albacore are getting closer.
Northern California and Oregon have had warm water within 20 miles of shore and high scores of albacore for private boaters. The season and possibilities for albacore should continue into the month of October.
Salmon fishing has made a shift. Monterey Bay has warmed up, and the fish that were here for months have moved to cooler water. San Francisco Bay to Eureka has had some great salmon action. Large, 3-year-old fish are moving from Northern California down the coast toward the bay to head back to their natal rivers to spawn. Salmon fishing should continue to be good in the ocean, until the rivers swell with fish. Only then will anglers move to river fishing for salmon.
Mike Baxter has fished in the Monterey Bay Area since he was a boy and has been a licensed charter boat captain for more than 15 years. Contact him at
ca************@ya***.com
. He also hosts a fishing show on radio station KSCO (1080) from 7:06 to 8 p.m. Thursdays April through September.
