Santa Cruz Fishing

In 1769, Spanish explorer Don Gaspar de Portolá named the rolling hills above the San Lorenzo River “Santa Cruz.” When California became a state in 1849, Santa Cruz County was established just a year later. Thanks to thriving industries like logging, agriculture, and commercial fishing, the area grew quickly. By 1866, the city of Santa Cruz was officially incorporated.

With its mild climate and stunning natural beauty, Santa Cruz became a go-to resort town. Surfing hit the scene in 1936 and added to the area’s growing appeal. When Santa Cruz Harbor opened in 1964, both tourism and the fishing economy got another big boost. The city’s location—at the north end of Monterey Bay and close to the Pacific Ocean—makes it a magnet for nature lovers, tourists, and especially anglers.

Santa Cruz Wharf is the longest public wharf on the West Coast. It offers easy access to fish like Surf Perch, Flounder, Skate, and small Sharks. It’s a great place to cast a line without getting on a boat.

Just west of town, Monterey Bay stretches south past Big Sur. These waters are full of life, from microscopic plankton to Humpback and even Blue Whales. Around Santa Cruz, places like Monterey Harbor, Pillar Point, Moss Landing, and Santa Cruz Harbor provide access to docks and fishing charters.

Not everyone wants to go offshore, and that’s okay—surf fishing along Santa Cruz’s beaches can yield Surf Perch and even Salmon. The harbor itself is big enough to hold a full fleet of charter boats, commercial fishing vessels, kayaks, and even a small RV park with ocean views.

For beginners or younger anglers, Sand Dab fishing is a great way to get started. These small flatfish are easy to catch and known for being delicious. Half-day trips often bring in lots of Sand Dab and Mackerel from waters up to 100 feet deep, especially in winter.

From July through December, Santa Cruz really shines with bottom fishing. Red Snapper and various types of Cod—like Lingcod, Olive, Copper, Vermillion, and Rockfish—are all found between 30 and 100 feet deep. These trips usually run six to eight hours. Twilight fishing trips are also available during summer.

April through September is Salmon season, and Santa Cruz is one of the best spots to catch Chinook (King) Salmon. Average fish weigh about 20 pounds, but some get up to 75 pounds later in the season. Salmon trips usually last eight to nine hours and are among the most popular options for visitors.

From July through November, Albacore Tuna take over. These fish are fast, strong, and put up a great fight. There’s no limit on how many you can catch—just how many you can handle. Because they swim farther offshore, these trips last 12 to 14 hours.

The San Lorenzo River also offers excellent fishing, especially during Steelhead season from November through February. The river gets more fishing pressure than others in the area, but that helps keep it clean and healthy for strong, wild Trout.

Santa Cruz has been calling itself a “sportsmen’s paradise” since 1876, and the title still fits. Back then, hotels and campgrounds filled up when fishing season opened on the San Lorenzo. Today, the city continues to attract anglers from all over. With state parks, beaches, and recreation areas making up 10% of the county, there’s no shortage of places to explore. But it’s the world-class fishing that really keeps people coming back.