Boats launching from Monterey Harbor can head towards Sand City for halibut in 60 to 70 feet of water, or head inside towards the beaches to troll or throw swimbaits for striped bass. Following the birds and the bait action is the key to finding stripers willing to bite in the open water. The boys on the beaches are doing very well on stripers right now, mostly from the beaches south of Moss Landing. That tap will be shutting off soon, as the big striper schools feel the pull to spawn, and head north towards San Francisco Bay. Some bluefin tuna are still in the area, especially south past Point Sur, towards the Davidson Seamount. It’s a long trip though, with low percentage results.

Anglers from Moss Landing made  the most of nearshore rockfishing this week before the upcoming closure. Good catches of halibut, Petrale sole plus some starry flounder were reported from the sand flats fronting the Moss Landing area. Best spots for the flatfish continue to be near the edges of the deep canyons. Anglers dropping deep into the canyons are bringing in black cod (sablefish) from depths past 500 feet. Bluefin tuna remains on the menu for those willing to take the long boat ride 30-60 miles offshore. Some Bluefin were reported from the Davidson Seamount area, while other Moss anglers headed straight out and angled north towards the 601 weather buoy. Very few tuna catches could be confirmed during the past week. Todd Fraser from Bayside Marine reported, “I did not hear of many tuna reports today. The water moved out to 35-45 miles. The anglers may take a look tomorrow. There are big schools of bluefin on the outside warm water bubble around 37’00/122'45."

Nearshore rockfishing is closed as of last Tuesday. Rockfishing is still allowed in deep water past the 50-fathom line. To no one’s surprise initial reports indicate very good fishing from the deep reefs. Rodney Armstrong from Santa Cruz Coastal Charters came back in from the deep on Tuesday with pretty good  tallies for the boat. Armstrong said, “The opening of deep water did not disappoint. The Knot Alone found quick limits of big vermilion, yellows, chilies, green spots and a few more species. We also caught two nice lingcod.”