Sanddabs might not be known for their fighting ability, but they are a favorite for the table. The number of sanddabs in the Monterey Bay right now is staggering, and anglers are cleaning up on these little flat fish.
After hearing reports of plentiful action on sanddabs, I broke out my gear and decided to give it a try. I went with a friend, and after getting a nice load of crabs, we spot-checked a few locations around the Soquel Hole. We decided the 200- to 240-foot mark was best, with a sandy bottom close to the canyon edge. It was no secret spot, as the sanddabs started to load our gear as soon as it hit the bottom. We were using 10-hook rigs tipped with small pieces of squid, weighted with 10 ounces of lead.
It is possible to catch a sanddab on every hook. The trick is to hit bottom and wait for more fish to climb on board. Then, with a steady retrieve, start hoisting them up to the boat. Most of the dabs are about 10 inches long and weigh about a half-pound.
You can filet them or just cut off the head and stomach cavity. If you cut the head off and leave the tail and center bones in, the bones will lift right off the filet after they are cooked. No matter how they are cooked, these fish are delicious!
While sanddabs remain the top bet, crab and perch fishing have been very good, too.
In the river, we are still below average for rain, meaning lower river flow and fewer returning steelhead. It has been a sad year for local steelhead, and we can only hope the few fish that returned were able to spawn successfully.
We still do not have a firm date for salmon season, but one option is a season with a start date of April 7.
I hope you can get out for some local sanddabs this spring.
– 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 [email protected].
