Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition 3808 Mar 29- Apr 12 2019 | Page 20

18 Mar 29 - Apr 12, 2019 MAP FEATURE VOL.38 • ISS. 8 The Santa Cruz Boardwalk, seen from the Santa Cruz Pier on a stormy day, is one of the most iconic landmarks in the Monterey Bay Area. Photo by DAN BACHER, Fish Sniffer Staff. T Surf Fishing Enthusiasts Bag Big Perch During Sand Crab Classic hree hundred people braved rain and wind to fish the fifteenth Annual Sand Crab Classic Perch Tournament along the beaches, piers and rocks from Big Sur to Half Moon Bay on March 9. The event was a benefit for the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project, whose mission is to recover the native salmon and steelhead populations of the Monterey Bay region. The event raised $5,000 for the project, established in 1976. If it wasn’t for this project, anglers would not enjoy the solid fishing that they found in the San Lorenzo River and local creeks this season. “Weather and ocean conditions were tough, but as usual some really big fish were brought in to the weighmasters,” said Allen Bushnell, who coordinated the event with Mike Baxter. “This was the best Sand Crab Classic ever and next year will be even better.” Over 350 people attended the weigh in at the Portuguese Hall in Santa Cruz – and 40 volunteers helped out with the event. The event is one of my favorite events of the year to go to. The 300 places for the tournament were sold out in only two days this year. This year there were more people than I’ve ever seen at the event. This year the winning fish were caught from shore from Big Sur in the south all of the way to San Gregorio in San Mateo County. However, most fish were landed inside Monterey Bay. Some of Barred perch like this beauty were the most abundant fish weighed in during the Sand Crab Classic. Photo by DAN BACHER, Fish Sniffer Staff. the spots were anglers caught perch included Santa Cruz, Monterey, Manresa Beach, New Brighton Beach and Zuma. Other spots outside of the bay included Carmel and Pescadero. As usual, the popular barred perch dominated the catches, These women winners show off the trophies that they won during the Sand but striped, Crab Classic in Santa Croz. Photo by DAN BACHER, Fish Sniffer Staff. pile, calico and redtail perch also earned angler’s trophies. David Hernandez placed second It is notable that the Monterey Bay with a 2 lb. 11.8 oz fish that he caught area features the most diverse arrays of off Manresa, while Greg Gomez perch species found anywhere on the placed third with a 2 lb. 10.3 oz perch west coast. For example, during the first measuring 15-1/4 inches that he landed Sand Crab Classic held in January 2005, off the East Side. I saw 7 varieties of perch landed off the Bryan Servel placed first in the senior Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf alone. non barred perch division by bagging Joe Gomez of Watsonville won the a striped perch weighing 2 pounds, 3.6 grandmaster trophy this year with a ounces and measuring 14 1/8 inches off giant barred perch weighing 2 pounds, Monterey. 15.5 ounces and measuring 16 inches Matt Michie placed second with a 2 lb. long. 0.5 oz. striped perch measuring 15-1/8 “I used sand crabs for bait between inches that he landed off Monterey, 26tthand 21sth Avenues in Santa Cruz to while Harrison Grossi caught a 1 lb. catch the big fish,” said Gomez. “I was 12.2 oz. perch landed at New Brighton fishing with my sons, Matt and Dave, Beach, and Paul Giannocaro.” Molly Hanson won first place in Jay Punkar won first place in the the womens barred perch division by senior barred perch division by catching bagging a fish weighing 2 pounds, 14.9 a fish weighing 2 pounds, 15 ounces and ounces and measuring 15 5/8 inches off measuring 16 1/2 inches off Big Sur. New Brighton Beach.