Let’s Go Fishin’: Giant squid are a no-show

The past few years, fishing for giant squid has become something we expect in the fall and winter months.
This year, there have been no reports of giant squid, and conditions do not look good for them. Perch fishing has been good along the beaches, though, and crab fishing has been excellent this year. Our rivers are flowing, and a few steelhead are making their way upstream.
In previous years, giant cephalopods (squid) were caught from British Columbia to the Sea of Cortez in Mexico, and their numbers had become alarming. This year, I have not heard of a confirmed catch of a giant squid. Some of the squid hotspots, like Bodega Bay and the canyon edges off Monterey, have come up dry, and there is no sign of giant squid in the area.
The smaller cousin of giant squid, the Humboldt squid, is the market squid that grows to be about 10 inches long and is traditionally used as calamari. Humboldt squid was abundant this year, with record catches off Monterey. There are still decent numbers of market squid off Monterey and the coast off Davenport Landing, although the commercial season is closed.
Fishing for Dungeness crabs has been a great bet for sport and commercial fishermen. The season started with bountiful catches of crab and remains good, though it has slowed down from 20 crabs per trap to five or 10 crabs per trap. Some fishermen are waiting for new crabs to start migrating during the spring, but fishing for Dungeness crabs remains good for those who work at it. Fishing out of Santa Cruz has been steady in 250 feet of water from Natural Bridges to Davenport.
Fishing along the beaches has been good for barred surf perch this year. The past two years had proven difficult for perch, but this year is much better. Some nice 1- to 2-pound perch have been coming in off the beaches from the cement ship to Moss Landing. Soaking baits like sand crabs or pile worms works well, as does walking the beach and casting a small rubber grub.
A few reports of steelhead have been emerging from the local rivers and creeks. The numbers of steelhead are not great yet, and more fish will be entering the river in February and March. The rivers have had good flows with a nice green color, which is good for fishing and the health of the rivers and fish.
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 April to September.