Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
If you are planning a fishing trip to Santa Cruz, California, the first place you might try is the Santa Cruz Wharf. While you might be overwhelmed at the amount of people that seem to have the same idea, dont get discouraged. Because the pier is almost half a mile in length, there are plenty of opportunities to hook a fish and numerous ways to do it.
You can begin fishing along the shore; maybe casting out around the pilings or directly into the surf. Pilings attract so many small bait fish that large fish hang out there, too. You might catch anything from a surfperch to a small shark. You can fish out past the breakers and around the pilings for sea perch or black perch.
If you are going to fish directly from the pier, the eastside of the pier usually yields kingfish, surfperch, and walleye. There are even some fishing wells, or holes, that allow anglers to drop their lines straight down to the water. Because the end of the pier catches a lot of debris, an artificial reef has formed here. This is great for fishermen because the reef is home to a lot of marine life making it an excellent fishing area.
Nearby Monterey Bay is a beautiful area that has been designated a National Marine Sanctuary. This means that the shore and the waters surrounding it are protected from pollution and excessive development. There are many charter boats available to take you out into these beautiful waters. Some of the fish caught include albacore tuna, bluefin tuna, halibut, striped seabass, and king salmon. Because Monterey Bay is a prime feeding ground, most charter trips meet with great success. Any tackle and bait that you need, is provided by the crew.
There are several other beaches that are noteworthy fishing areas. When you visit Seacliff Beach, you can discover the story of how a cement ship became the beachs fishing pier. New Brighton State Beach offers plenty of opportunity to surf fish. The marinas at Santa Cruz Harbor Beach offer useful fishing information for every season.
For a change of pace, try the Loch Lomond Recreation Area. You can rent row boats and electric motor boats, and tackle and bait is available. Not too far away in Santa Cruz County is the Camp Evers Fishing Park. Steelheads are usually caught here, and if you have any children that are fifteen years or younger, they can fish for free from May to September.
If you are really looking for adventure, however, you might want to plan a kayak fishing excursion to Santa Cruz Island. The island is part of the Channel Islands, which is designated a national park. You must get transportation to the island from the mainland, and there is a private company who will provide that transportation along with providing a kayak for you to use during your stay on the island. You will need to bring your own camping equipment, food, etc. The island is also famous for its sea caves. Fish that are usually caught there include bass and sculpin.
Santa Cruz provides numerous fishing opportunities for the novice fisherman to the experienced angler. This beautiful area of California is a pleasure to visit any time of the year.
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