Chris’ Fishing Trips out of Monterey Harbor seems to be concentrating on lingcod this year. “Yes we are,” owner Chris Arcaleo says, ”That’s why we take the time to stop and catch live bait every day.” The tactic has been working all season and this week was no different. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday saw limits of three lingcod for every angler aboard the Check Mate and Caroline. Thursday’s fishing was not quite as productive, with only 25 lings for the 23 anglers aboard the Caroline. Arcaleo also notes that halibut fishing is getting better in Monterey with “a whole bunch of boats” fishing for flatties off Del Monte Beach as of Thursday.

Launching out of Moss Landing Harbor, Kahuna Sportfishing is stacking up some impressive numbers as well. On Wednesday Carol Jones reported, “Great day today for anglers aboard the Kahuna. Limits of rockfish, which included over two around on the cabazon, and some of the biggest coppers I have seen. Near-limits of lingcod and a 31-pound halibut just to top off the day!

Fishing is pretty good around Santa Cruz as well. Capitola has been churning out halibut all week. The best approach seems to be jigging up live mackerel or jack smelt for bait. Both are working right now for big halibut. Using live squid works even better if you can find them. The next best thing is the fresh dead squid, often available at Bayside Marine. Santa Cruz Harbor resident George Isometsa fishes from his Zodiac skiff and did a long drift Monday from the Mile Buoy towards Steamer Lane. He was in 90 feet of water when his squid was snarfed by a big white sea bass. Isometsa estimates the weight at “around 30 pounds.”.

Continuing in the big fish from small boats theme, Aviv Ben-Dashan from The Kayak Connection used a live mackerel fishing near the SC3 Buoy off Capitola in his kayak last Friday. Ben-Dashan reports, “Well... never thought I would beat my personal best halibut today... guess I was wrong. Jigged up one jack mackerel, sent it down in 57 feet of water, (and) within 10 minutes my rod doubled over…. 36 pounds and 47 inches! Also according to a sailboat near us, there were two great whites that were swimming near us (within 30 feet). One eight foot and the other 12 foot. Kinda sketch, but I guess it’s part of the game.”

Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine reported a good number of halibut caught in 60-80 feet of water in Capitola, by the Mile Buoy and near Natural Bridges. Fraser also reports the beaches from New Brighton to Pajaro continue to provide good striper action for the surfcasters.