Fall in Santa Cruz County
I wanted to take a moment to share some of my favorite fishing and outdoor opportunities available to us here in Santa Cruz County this time of year. Fall is one of my absolute favorite times of the year. The crowds at the beach and local parks have gone way down, the evening temperatures can be comfortable (always bring a sweatshirt), and the sunsets alone warrant a trip outside. Not only that, but I have consistently experienced some of the best fishing of the year in the fall.
This is my favorite time of year to head to the beach for bonfire, most of the fire pits at the local beaches are still available for use. My family and I have gone twice in the last three weeks and each time there were plenty fire pits to choose from. We brought our dinner, a football & frisbee, and of course the makings for s'mores. I didn’t bring any fishing rods and opted to bring the dog instead. Getting a pit wasn't a problem at all, and we had a great time.
***Please note, each time we went, there was more than one group of people who had fires directly in the sand. This is not only illegal but also dangerous. The sand holds in the heat for many hours and can smolder well into the following day. I had a neighbor whose infant received 2nd-degree burns on his feet after a morning beach walk because someone didn't utilize the provided fire pits.***
The days are starting to cool, and the fish are beginning to prepare for the colder winter waters, making them more aggressive as they hunt for the additional calories needed to get through the winter months. Fishing local lakes and ponds from shore can be difficult as water levels may be lower, and the grass along the shoreline has been growing all summer. This is the ideal time to fish with a topwater lure for bass. You can use a popper or spook-type bait that will stay above the grass, or a weedless frog can be a great lure for fishing in grass that has grown up out of the water.
Fishing in the ocean from the beach can also be productive. There is a lot of bait in the water, and fish are in the eating mood. This is also your best chance at catching a halibut from the shore before they head out to deeper waters for the winter. For those with young children, the Santa Cruz Wharf is hard to beat. For starters, parents don't need a fishing license, so you can fish with your child without having to pay the $62 for an annual license (licenses are not required for public piers in CA, but you should know the rules & regulations). Another great benefit of making a trip to the wharf is that young kids tend to get bored easily. The wharf provides lots of other activities for you and your child once they have decided they are done with fishing. You can spend some time watching the sea lions and birds, and check out what other fishermen have caught. You can also stop in at one of the many shops or restaurants on the wharf for lunch/dinner, a snack, or a special treat (Marini's Candy Shop is always a winner).
The Capitola Wharf also recently re-opened and can provide some great fishing. A few things to note: parking can be an issue, and they don't have as many options for the kids, but a short walk into the Capitola Village can provide what you are looking for, and there is always the beach to play on.
Our fall weather for the next few days looks great here in Santa Cruz County, and I highly encourage you to take a trip outside. Whether it be a walk on the beach, hiking one of the many local trails, or trying your luck with some fall fishing, there are plenty of ways to get Hooked-on-Nature.