As of October 9, 2024, the fishing scene in California's Pacific Ocean is looking promising, especially with the recent changes in fishing regulations and favorable weather conditions.
### Weather and Tides
The weather today is expected to be partly cloudy with mild temperatures, ranging from the mid-60s to the low 70s, making it ideal for a day out on the water. Tides are moderate, with a high tide at around 8:30 AM and a low tide at 2:30 PM, which should help in navigating and locating fish.
Sunrise was at 6:57 AM, and sunset will be at 6:14 PM, providing ample daylight for both morning and afternoon fishing trips.
### Fish Activity
Yesterday's fish counts from various Southern California ports indicate a robust fish activity. In Morro Bay, the Avenger landed 10 Bocaccio, 78 Rockfish, and 22 Red Rockfish on a 3/4 day trip.
In Santa Barbara, the Coral Sea caught 5 Lingcod and 220 Rockfish with 22 anglers on a 3/4 day trip, while the Stardust brought in 1 Lingcod and 110 Rockfish on a half-day morning trip.
At Dana Point, the Sum Fun had a successful 3/4 day trip with 180 Rockfish, and the Fury, on an overnight trip, caught 1 Blacksmith, 1 Barracuda, 9 Sheephead, 12 Calico Bass, 103 Whitefish, and 1 Bonito.
### Best Lures and Bait
For Rockfish and Lingcod, using jigs and live bait such as squid or anchovies has been highly effective. The Freelance out of Newport Beach, which caught 87 Bocaccio, 2 Lingcod, and 59 Rockfish, likely used similar tactics.
For those targeting Bluefin Tuna, which have been active near Bodega Bay and the Farallon Islands, trolling with lures that mimic baitfish or using live bait like sardines and anchovies can be very productive.
### Hot Spots
- **Dana Point**: The waters between Dana Point and Catalina Island are known for their productivity, attracting pelagic predators like Tuna and nearshore species such as Barracuda, Yellowtail, and Rockcod.
- **Bodega Bay**: This area has seen consistent catches of quality Rockfish and Lingcod, with some Bluefin Tuna activity near Bodega Canyon. The upcoming deepwater rockfishing season starting October 1 is expected to be excellent.
Overall, today looks like a great day to get out on the water, with favorable conditions and a variety of fish species active in the area.