We have started the winter pattern with a few shots at light rain and storm fronts that bring southerly winds, with that the ocean temperatures are starting to cool. We had record-breaking ocean temperatures this year as the MontereyBay buoy read 68 degrees the third week of July. At this time the current sea temperature reading is 57 degrees.
The water offshore was too warm for albacore and brought us ‘late season’ Blue fin Tuna. The reduced sea temperature seems to have moved the Blue fin south. Inshore species remain unusual as bonito and barracuda continue to be caught by local boaters. Mackerel are still found along the coast in abundant numbers as well. Most of the inshore warm water fish will also follow the coast to the south as winter continues.
Squid spawning up the coast off Davenport has been strong and occasional schools of White Sea bass have been caught. During calm days with small swell activity, rock fish and lingcod have been biting for boaters working the coast from Santa Cruz all the way up to Pigeon Point. This pattern should continue to the end of the year.
Perch fishing is a wintertime favorite and has been producing nice barred surf perch. Local beaches as well as the stretch of coast from Capitola to Moss Landing have been productive for surf perch. There is a chance of running into a striped bass as they migrate the beaches. Perch fishing should remain consistent through the winter months.
Dungeness crab fishing remains closed for sport and commercial anglers at this time.
Testing from California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has shown decreased numbers in domoic acid. MontereyBay numbers were lower although still remaining levels were too high from 14 percent of the tested crabs. Many ports tested were low enough for consumption although we need ideal levels below 30 parts per million to be reduced along the entire coast to prevent migrating crabs to effect an ‘open areas.’
Fishing for perch and rockfish should be good early winter as we all hope for a safe, healthy crab season.
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 20 years. Contact him at ca************@ya***.com.
