After seeing some tuna caught recently, we had high hopes for this week’s report to include big albacore scores. Alas, the few boats that made it out to the tuna grounds did not find any albacore this week. The warm water currents and temperature breaks remain in place though, and hope springs eternal. Inshore fishing is changing as we move into fall season fishing. There are still plenty of fish to be caught within the Monterey Bay, and a variety of species to target.

Rockfish and lingcod are the mainstay for anglers across the bay. Chris’ Fishing Trips from Monterey continues to post scores of limits and near-limits for every group they send out on the Check Mate and Caroline. On Tuesday a light load of six anglers aboard the Check Mate brought home limits of rockcod and 11 lings. Santa Cruz six-pack charter Go Fish Santa Cruz had a family charter on Sunday. Beth Thomas reported, “It was a fun day. The father told our deckhand he really wanted to catch a lingcod. The deckhand replied, ‘Well you better start reeling cause you have one.’ The father and daughter caught six ling cod. A variety of rockfish. An eel fish and some sole. Water was nice as was the weather.“ Tom Dolan from Santa Cruz Charters had a similar report saying, “Great fishing today with limits for all! 11 year-old Jona was our highliner with his five pound red and three pound canary on one haul.”

Bayside Marine’s Todd Fraser shared information from private boaters going up the coast for big fish. Fraser reported, “Halibut are still being caught near Davenport.” Kelp edges from Natural Bridges on up to Davenport are prime territory this time of year for the bigger halibut. Fraser also tipped us off to a good bite from the Santa Cruz Wharf, citing legal halibut and stripers caught there. Capitola Wharf saw legal flatties and stripers as well this week. Best strategy for striped bass is to fish live bait through sunset from the piers.

The Santa Cruz Small Craft harbor announced dredging operations will resume soon. Port Director Marian Olin shared this important information,” Entrance dredging is anticipated to start in early-November 2017, and continue through April 2018. The typical dredge schedule is Mondays-Thursdays, with maintenance being performed on Fridays. Entrance soundings will be updated frequently and posted on the harbor's website. Any questions about dredging operations can be addressed by phone at (831) 475-6161.