Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3905 Feb 14-28 | Page 29

Feb 14 - 28, 2020 VOL.39 • ISS. 5 27 HALF MOON BAY cont. for a LOT less wind next year.” Chris’ Fishing Trips has been running sanddab and Dungeness crab combo adventures, depending on weather and angler interest. Registration for the 16th Annual Sand Crab Classic Perch Derby in Santa Cruz on March 14, 2020 is now full. Anglers are invited to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Annual Salmon Information Meeting on February 27, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Sonoma County Water Agency MONTEREY BAY office located at 404 Aviation Blvd. in Santa Rosa. Sanddabs and Crabs Best Bests Until At the meeting, agency staff will present information on the 2019 ocean harvest, river harvest, and river returns Salmon and Rockfish Seasons Begins for California salmon stocks and the outlook for California SANTA CRUZ – Sanddabs, crabs and surfperch are salmon fisheries in the upcoming 2020 season. The offering the top angling options in the Monterey Bay public is encouraged to provide comments on potential Area until the groundfish season opens on April 1 and fishing regulations for California ocean salmon fisheries the salmon season begins on April 4. Few charter boats in 2020. or private boats have been out on the water since the A panel comprised of fishery managers, scientists and rockfish season closed on December 31, 2019. industry representatives will be assembled to address “We are anticipating a salmon season opener on April questions and collect public input that will be used in 4 and a rockfish opener on April 1,” said Carol Jones of developing a range of season alternatives for California Kahuna Sportfishing. “We will be busy in the off season salmon fisheries at the March 3-9, 2020 Pacific Fishery with annual maintenance on the Kahuna. We are hoping Management Council meeting in Rohnert Park, California. Final season regulations will be adopted at the April 4-10, 2020 Pacific Fishery Management h s fi k Roc Council meeting in Vancouver, Washington. & Crab Additional meeting information and materials, Combos including presentations, will be posted the Department’s website: www. Available on wildlife.ca.gov/oceansalmon/ Now preseason as it becomes BOOK available. Please contact Grace Ghrist at EARLY! (707) 576-2375 or Grace.Ghrist@ wildlife.ca.gov if you have Crabbing remains solid for central coast anglers. This crab pot HALF MOON BAY any questions regarding the was pulled up during a recent crab and sanddab combo trip meeting. aboard the Huli Cat. www.hulicat.com Photo courtesy of HULI CAT SPORTFISHING, Half Moon Bay. - Dan Bacher tournaments such as the upcoming Sand Crab Surf Perch Classic out of Santa Cruz on Saturday, March 14th. The overall numbers of perch have been less, but there are quality barred and redtail perch taken on Lucky Craft Flash Minnows or Berkley Camo Worms. - Dave Hurley GET ON BOARD! 650-726-2926 Anglers That Make The Effort In La Paz Hook Up “ I t’s been COLD in La Paz this past The winds are expected this time of week along with some windy weather. year, but it’s been colder than normal… LOCATED JUST 3905 at least by La Paz standards with us locals bundling up and even the tourists donning the occa- sional sweatshirt or windbreaker. Although most look at us kind of strange as they walk around in shorts and flip-flops,” reported Jonathan Roldan of Tailhunter International. “Lots of snowbirds in town and although the temperatures are in the sixties and seventies with the wind, it’s still a lot warmer than where they live back in places like Minnesota, Wyoming and Alaska,” Roldan exclaimed. “The climate, of course, affects Fun size dorado are on the chomp off the East Cape. the ability to be out there fishing. These fish were caught on January 15. Photo courtesy of VAN WORMER RESORTS, East Cape, It’s been hard to put anyone out Baja. there and there’s not that many folks wanting to fish anyway. Or, have been inshore species like cabrilla, folks that want to fish understandably get snapper, triggerfish, pargo, jack crevalle discouraged when they see the winds. and sierra. All fun and good eating fish,” Best to just hang out drinking a margarita Roldan said. by the pool,” Roldan laughed. “When there are windows of calm, “When folks have been fishing, the there’s still some dorado around running better fishing has been tucked in close to about 10 or 15 pounds plus some good to shore, especially in areas where you action on 5-pound bonito. The larger issue can find some protection from wind and has been finding live bait, in which case waves. Therefore, the majority of the fish lures are the most productive way to catch fish. With rough waters, it’s tough to get into the areas where the live bait is holding along the shores and rocks. I’ve heard a few stories about commer- cial guys finding some yellowtail as well as some private boaters. We’ll keep an eye Blue sky, warm temperatures and feisty dorado…That’s been the scene for on that,” Roldan anglers fishing East Cape waters this winter. Photo courtesy of VAN WORMER RESORTS, East Cape, Baja. concluded.