The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf may be the most over looked fishing opportunity we have. It has easy access, parking, bait tackle restaurants and you are not required to have a fishing License.
In 1914 this 3,000 feet Pier was constructed and is the sixth pier that has been built in Santa Cruz. It is referred to as our Wharf although its true definition is “Pier.” A wharf is referred to as a platform that parallels the shore a Pier heads out from shore. The original City bond was written as “Wharf” and has remained the term to use.
The Wharf may not have the best ocean fishing our Bay has to offer but does host chances at fish and at times can be very good for small game fish. Perch can be caught here year around. The winter months are bets for barred surf perch. The current usually runs towards the River mouth from the Wharf so most people cast for perch just outside the breaking waves on the Boardwalk side. Pile, black and rubber lip perch, can be caught along the pilings all around the Wharf. These perch like shrimp, mussels, and pile worms for bait. During the summer months small shiner perch are more common and may work for live bait while pursuing larger game like halibut or striped bass.
Jack smelt and mackerel are common during the summer months and at times are very easy to catch. Mackerel are one of my favorite fish as they are speedy, and have beautiful colors. The most common are pacific mackerel with a blue striped back, and they are a real crowd pleaser because they resemble small tunas! They are all edible with jack smelt at the bottom of my list for table fair. Jack smelt and mackerel can be caught with a small “sabiki” or bait catching jig set-up. They are rigged with a weight at the bottom and sometimes tipped with squid for bait. Some anglers prefer this rig fished under a large float or bobber casted away from the Wharf.
The chance at larger game is always a possibility while fishing from the Wharf. When I was younger we would catch coho or silver salmon from the Wharf during the fall months as they would stage looking for the mouth of the San Lorenzo River. Lately there have been a few legal sized halibut caught. Halibut are caught using live bait like anchovies, sardines or small mackerel and jack smelt. While catching larger fish like halibut is less common, it can happen. If so, you will need a landing net. The landing net is a crab hoop net and you have to lower it to the water and get your prized catch to swim into it to hoist it to the Wharf.
You never know what you may catch from the Wharf but I guarantee it will be fun and easy. You may also have a chance at a chowder bowl or some fried calamari while you fish. You will see Sea Lions; you can even rent a boat or Kayak from the Wharf if you are more adventurous. The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is a fun place and easy access to fishing in the ocean.
