A number of bluefin tuna were caught near the Monterey Bay weather buoy late in the week. Bluefin tuna hunters are heading south as well to explore the classic tuna areas near the Davidson Seamount and the 451 buoy. A few fish have been reported from that area and there are significant temperature breaks holding for now. Todd Fraser from Bayside Marine watches any tuna action carefully. He reported on Wednesday, “There were more blue fin caught today out of Santa Cruz. The anglers were fishing from the Weather Buoy area and trolling towards Half Moon Bay. There are schools of blue fin about 30 miles out from here to Half Moon Bay. The blue fin that were landed today were in the 100-170 pound range. Bring the right equipment or you may fail.”

Nearshore waters are providing plentiful halibut for Moss anglers. The canyon edges from 40 to 80 feet of water seem to be the best bet this week. A bit further out, in 300-400 feet boats are finding good fishing for Petrale Sole and black cod. Bluefin tuna is on most people’s minds with Moss Launchers heading straight out towards the weather buoy or south towards Big Sur. Anglers from Monterey are finding an abundance of rockcod on the reefs near Carmel and towards Point Sur. The weather has been fairly calm, allowing for longer trips down the coast where rockfish are bigger and more numerous

Halibut fishing is still going good near New Brighton State Beach in Aptos. Most anglers are finding success using white flukes or swimbaits, catching mostly legal sized flatties in 15-40 feet of water in that area. Larger halibut still range in the 40-70 foot depths up past Santa Cruz, West Cliff and the north coast right now.

Lower winds and gentle swells this week spelled easy fishing for most surfcasters. Stripers remain in the area feasting on huge anchovy schools. The striped bass could be anywhere on any given day. From the steep beaches close to Monterey to the wide open sands near Moss Landing, striper catches were reported on a day to day basis. They are on the move, chasing the ‘chovies. If you really want to catch a striped bass from the beach, now is a very good time to make a concerted try. 

It takes commitment and sometimes a little luck. Look for birds working bait near the surfline. That’s probably the best indicator of striped bass in the vicinity. Also, be ready to move, either walking up or down the beach, or maybe even trying a completely different spot if not getting bit. Carry a variety of lures and try them all if you have to. Poppers, stickbaits, swimbaits or shiny iron like Kastmasters or Krokodiles should always be in your tackle bag. Somebody, somewhere, is probably catching a striped bass right now! It could be you if you put the time in. Big barred surf perch are biting well on sandcrabs as well as artificial bait and lures all around the Monterey Bay. Beach anglers fishing further north towards Half Moon Bay, Pacifica and Ocean Beach continue to report consistent catches of bass in the five to 25-pound class.