Salmon Fishing Update:
Much of the best salmon fishing off the California Coast is happening right in Santa Cruz which is part of the Monterrey Bay. There seems to be some great action for quite some time now just a few minutes ride by private boat or charter boat from the Santa Cruz harbor, and salmon are being caught with sardines and others from trolling lures in the 70-100 feet range.
Most of the salmon fishing has been the best while bringing your fishing gear down below the 80 foot mark, but for those of you who enjoy fishing much higher to the surface, there is always a decent chance you will get a strike up higher too.
With fishing conditions being very good so far in September, many of the party boats and private yachts have come back to the docks with averages of 1 salmon for every two people, and often the numbers have been much higher. There have also been some larger than normal salmon caught over the past two weeks. There was one confirmed 36 lb. salmon caught with an anchovy three miles off Capitola in 80 feet of water, and there have been numerous 20 lb. salmon reports over the past month too.
One suggestion would be to contact the local harbor master before you plan to leave your house to find out the local weather conditions. It’s definitely worth the quick phone call to find out what might be happening on the ocean during your salmon fishing before you head out of the driveway. And what a great way to head out if the harbormaster tells you the water is flat calm and no wind expected the rest of the day.
Good luck with your salmon fishing in September!