Let’s Go Fishin: Steady summer bite continues

Fishing in Monterey Bay has been consistent, and the weather has been calm on the ocean. Rock cod are still the hot pick, but salmon and halibut are also coming in. From the outer bay waters, albacore have been difficult to catch, but along the shore, striped bass continue to bite for surfcasters.
Fishing along the coastal reefs north of the Santa Cruz Harbor for rockfish has been a great bet. Halibut or white sea bass can be an exciting incidental catch while fishing these spots. Limits seem to be the rule for rockfish, with lots of school fish, like olive, blue and black rockfish. The bottom-dwelling rockfish, such as bolina, gopher and vermilion rockfish, are also biting.
Lingcod have not been caught in great numbers, but the boats that head toward New Year’s Island and Franklin Point are hauling in some lings.
Halibut fishing was good near the mile buoy, with a large bloom of spawning squid. The bite has slowed, but the usual sandy spots bordering reefs are kicking out some nice halibut. Drifting with live sardines or fresh dead squid seems to be a top bait for halibut.
White sea bass continue to be caught both by anglers trying for them and those who just get lucky and cross paths with these elusive fish. The sea bass range from 20 to 50 pounds and take an impressive run when hooked. Forty-pound lines and leaders are advised, with strong hooks and smooth drags.
Albacore fishing has been tough out of Santa Cruz. The weather has been rough, and cloud cover has prevented us from seeing satellite images of sea surface temperatures. On recent trips, boats have gone as far out as 80 miles for very little tuna. In ports like Fort Bragg and Eureka, however, albacore have been prevalent, with 20 to 30 fish coming in on sport boats 35 miles out.
Walking the beach while casting for striped bass not only offers the chance at catching a nice fish, but also is good exercise. Patient anglers who cast surface poppers, swim baits or Kastmaster lures during the morning hours have caught fish most mornings.
It’s a good bet to fish the inshore waters or from the beach. Check the weather first, though, if you head out for albacore.
• 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. He also hosts a fishing show on radio station KSCO (1080 AM) from 7:06 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, April through September. Contact him at

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