Halibut Fishing in Santa Cruz: Flats, Techniques & the Best Tides
Target California halibut in the north Monterey Bay with this guide to Santa Cruz's sandy flats, proven drifting methods...
Read MoreCalifornia · Northern California
SANTA CRUZ
FISHING CHARTERS
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About
Santa Cruz Fishing
Santa Cruz sits at the northern end of Monterey Bay with excellent fishing for rockfish, lingcod, halibut, and seasonal salmon. The Santa Cruz Wharf and harbor provide easy launch access, while the deep waters of Monterey Canyon — one of the deepest submarine canyons on the Pacific coast — are just offshore. The mild climate allows year-round fishing.
Fishing Calendar
What's Biting in Santa Cruz?
See which species are available each month, color-coded by activity level.
Color Key
Peak
Good
Fair
Off Season
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Inshore
|
P | G | G | F | F | F | - | - | - | - | G | P |
|
Bottom Fishing
|
F | F | G | G | P | P | P | P | G | G | F | F |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | G | G | P | P | G | G | G | F | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | G | P | P | G | G | F | - | - | - |
|
Bottom Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | G | P | G | G | F | - | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | F | G | F | - | - | - |
Species Glossary
View Full Species Guide
Santa Cruz Fish Species
6+ species organized by fishing type. Click any species to learn more.
Inshore Species
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore.
Nearshore Species
Target reefs, wrecks, and structure within a few miles of land.
Deep Sea Fishing Species
Head to deep water for big game and bottom species.
Bottom Fishing Species
Charter Guide
Fishing Charter Types in Santa Cruz
Understanding the different charter types will help you book the perfect trip for your group.
INSHORE
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore. Target redfish, speckled trout, flounder and more in calm, protected waters.
View Inshore ChartersNEARSHORE
Fish the reefs, wrecks, and structure 1-9 miles offshore. Target snapper, grouper, cobia and more over natural and artificial reefs.
View Nearshore ChartersDEEP SEA FISHING
Deep sea fishing 20+ miles out. Chase tuna, marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo and other pelagic gamefish in blue water.
View Deep Sea Fishing ChartersTROLLING
Cover water by dragging lures or bait behind a moving boat to target pelagic species.
View Trolling ChartersBOTTOM FISHING
Drop baits to the ocean floor to target snapper, grouper, and other reef dwellers.
View Bottom Fishing ChartersFLY FISHING
Sight-cast with fly rods on the flats for redfish, trout, and tarpon.
View Fly Fishing ChartersSURF FISHING
Fish from the beach or wade into the surf to target pompano, whiting, and redfish.
View Surf Fishing ChartersKAYAK FISHING
Paddle out for a more intimate fishing experience on bays and nearshore waters.
View Kayak Fishing Charters
Fishing Tips & Guides
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Santa Cruz Fishing Blog
Local insights, seasonal reports, and expert tips for fishing in Santa Cruz.
Guest Reviews
4.7
based on 3 reviews
Santa Cruz Fishing Reviews
Salmon Stacked Up in the Bay
The salmon showed up in force off the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf and we were on fish from the first troll pass. Ran herring and anchovies side by side — anchovies won 3 to 1 today. Finished with limits of bright kings averaging 14 pounds with a 22-pounder taking top honors.
C
Captain Steve Abrams
August 2025
Chinook Salmon
Rockfish Madness at Soquel Reef
Dropped baits over Soquel Canyon's edge and the vermilion, canary, and yelloweye were competing for the hooks. Every drop was a three-fish hookup — we had full limits in just over an hour. The quality was outstanding with several vermilion pushing 6 pounds.
C
Captain Leah Washington
October 2025
Vermilion Rockfish
Canary Rockfish
Yelloweye Rockfish
Halibut Biting on the Drift
Drifted live anchovies across the sandy stretches near Capitola and found a good grade of halibut feeding on the tide change. Boated five keepers between 8 and 16 pounds on a half-day trip. Had to work through some shorts but the keepers were solid fish.
C
Captain Marcus DeLuca
June 2025
California Halibut
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