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Monterey Bay Fishing

Monterey Bay Fishing

Located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, Monterey Bay is a diverse ecosystem. From the rocky coastline to the Monterey Canyon, one of the largest underwater canyons in the world, Monterey Bay is a unique fishing destination. The history of Monterey Bay, California dates back to the indigenous Ohlone people, who lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of Spanish explorers in the late 18th century. Spanish colonial rule was established in Monterey in 1770, and it became the capital of Alta California. In 1848, following the Mexican-American War, California became a part of the United States, and Monterey Bay became a hub for the booming maritime and fishing industries. During World War II, the area was a center for military activity and was later transformed into a popular tourist destination, known for its scenic beauty, rich history, and diverse wildlife. Today, Monterey Bay remains a popular destination for visitors and a center for environmental conservation efforts.

Monterey Bay fishing offers a plethora of popular species for all depths of fishing. Types of fish you could catch while inshore fishing include Albacore Tuna. Bluefin Tuna, Cabezon, Halibut, Lingcod, and Rockfish (Pacific snapper). King Salmon (Chinook Salmon) is a popular species that you have a chance catching nearshore. You can also catch Silver Salmon (Coho Salmon) in some of the same areas. Several record fish have been caught at Monterey Bay, including a 78-pound White Sea Bass and a 220-pound Bluefin Tuna.



Monterey Bay Fishing Forecast

Target Species of Fish

Based on historical data for fishing Monterey Bay, you should target one of the following species for this time of year:
  1. Shortbelly Rockfish

  2. Shortbelly Rockfish

    There is a 37.38% catch rate for Shortbelly Rockfish, based on 4131 Shortbelly Rockfish counted.

    Monterey Bay Shortbelly Rockfish Counts Chart
    Shortbelly

    ENLARGE MONTEREY BAY SHORTBELLY ROCKFISH COUNTS CHART


  3. Cabezon

  4. Cabezon

    There is a 6.74% catch rate for Cabezon, based on 745 Cabezon counted.

    Monterey Bay Cabezon Counts Chart
    Cabezon

    ENLARGE MONTEREY BAY CABEZON COUNTS CHART


  5. Lingcod

  6. Lingcod

    There is a 6.43% catch rate for Lingcod, based on 710 Lingcod counted.

    Monterey Bay Lingcod Counts Chart
    Lingcod

    ENLARGE MONTEREY BAY LINGCOD COUNTS CHART


  7. Black Rockfish

  8. Black Rockfish

    There is a 5.22% catch rate for Black Rockfish, based on 577 Black Rockfish counted.

    Monterey Bay Black Rockfish Counts Chart
    Black

    ENLARGE MONTEREY BAY BLACK ROCKFISH COUNTS CHART


  9. Kelp Rockfish

  10. Kelp Rockfish

    There is a 4.9% catch rate for Kelp Rockfish, based on 541 Kelp Rockfish counted.

    Monterey Bay Kelp Rockfish Counts Chart
    Kelp

    ENLARGE MONTEREY BAY KELP ROCKFISH COUNTS CHART


  11. Giant Sea Bass

  12. Giant Sea Bass

    There is a 4.16% catch rate for Giant Sea Bass, based on 460 Giant Sea Bass counted.

    Monterey Bay Giant Sea Bass Counts Chart
    Giant

    ENLARGE MONTEREY BAY GIANT SEA BASS COUNTS CHART


  13. Bocaccio

  14. Bocaccio

    There is a 3.59% catch rate for Bocaccio, based on 397 Bocaccio counted.

    Monterey Bay Bocaccio Counts Chart
    Bocaccio

    ENLARGE MONTEREY BAY BOCACCIO COUNTS CHART


  15. Kelp Bass

  16. Kelp Bass

    There is a 3.16% catch rate for Kelp Bass, based on 349 Kelp Bass counted.

    Monterey Bay Kelp Bass Counts Chart
    Kelp

    ENLARGE MONTEREY BAY KELP BASS COUNTS CHART


  17. Rex Sole

  18. Rex Sole

    There is a 2.77% catch rate for Rex Sole, based on 306 Rex Sole counted.

    Monterey Bay Rex Sole Counts Chart
    Rex

    ENLARGE MONTEREY BAY REX SOLE COUNTS CHART


  19. Chub Mackerel

  20. Chub Mackerel

    There is a 2.41% catch rate for Chub Mackerel, based on 266 Chub Mackerel counted.

    Monterey Bay Chub Mackerel Counts Chart
    Chub

    ENLARGE MONTEREY BAY CHUB MACKEREL COUNTS CHART


Recommendations above based on 43 species of fish and 11050 fish counted for June around Monterey Bay.

To date, there are 68 species of fish and a total of 103629 fish counted for Monterey Bay and within a 30 mile (48 km) radius since 1/1/1860 (163 years).

Last Update: 6/8/2023 12:58:10 PM

*** PLEASE NOTE ***
Please check local, state/province, and federal laws before fishing for any species found on this site. All data is based on historical data found for this area, and in some cases as far back as the year 1600.

View full Monterey Bay Fishing Forecast to see all species.

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Top Monterey Bay Fishing Spots

The Top 10 Fishing Spots for Monterey Bay are the following:

  1. Soquel Hole
    Soquel Hole 36.52.00 / 121.57.00 Popular King Salmon and Silver Salmon hole for trolling and drifting. 


  2. Mulligan Hill
    Mulligan Hill 36.44.98 / 121.52.


  3. Soldier’s Club
    Soldier’s Club 36.41.14 / 121.52.28


  4. 601 South Rock
    601 South Rock 36.55.00 / 122.01.00


  5. Adams Reef


  6. Three Trees


  7. Manresa State Beach


  8. Three Trees


  9. Moonglow Point


  10. Park Reef Kelp


View more Top Monterey Bay Fishing Spots


Latest Monterey Bay Fishing Reports

  • June 4
    Another WOW day at Jurassic Park. Incredible bite and Incredible weather. 60 chili peppers and vermillions totaling over 170 pounds. Biggest vermillion yet on our boat at ove


  • May 31
    Beautiful weather for the rest of the week. We still have openings if you want to get out on the water and have some fun!!! The post May 31 appeared first on Monterey Bay and


  • May 29
    Local potluck today and flat calm seas. Headed out to one of our honey holes and it was game on! Caught a lot of fish but only kep the best 60 blue rockfish (pacific snapper)


  • May 28
    What an awesome Jurassic Park trip today. Weather held good for us and we knew we had to fish hard and fast before the winds showed up. These pictures are just some of the fi


  • May 27
    Local potluck today and we got lucky! Caught over 100 fish but only kept the best 60 rockcod two lings that we let go to grow and a very nice 15# halibut. Weather was perfect


  • May 23
    Our first halibut trip of the season and it was a great one! Hooked six halibut and kept three. Let the other three go back to grow. Also boated a nice lingcod. Wonderful gro


  • May 22
    Out to the deep again with our family of first responders. Water was a bit bumpy and made fishing more challenging than usual. We caught fish on the ledge but opted to go up


  • May 21
    Out to the deep for another Jurassic Park venture. As soon as we dropped in our lines it was game on! We picked up fish throughout the morning but not the bite we’ve seen for


  • May 19
    What a day at Jurassic Park! Out to the deep again and put in 170+ pounds of chili peppers and reds and petrale sole. Got a nice whale and dolphin show too! Water was challen


  • May 16
    Out to the deep again and we whacked ’em good! Filled the boat with 150 pounds of chili peppers green spots canaries and other rockfish (pacific snapper) and petrale sole. Th


View Monterey Bay Fishing Reports

Top Monterey Bay Bait & Tackle Stores

View more Monterey Bay Bait & Tackle Stores

Top Monterey Bay Fishing Charters & Guides

  1. Monterey Bay Charters
    MEGA-BITE is the premier 6-pack charter boat located in the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor and we fish the Monterey Bay. We provide all types of charters aboard our spacious 32x12 foot 630 horsepower Sport Sedan. We can take up to six people fishing for sa

  2. Capitola and Santa Cruz Boat Rentals
    Santa Cruz Boat Rentals and Capitola Boat and Bait have the only motorized ocean skiffs for rent on Monterey Bay, so if you want to get out there, you want to come here! Our shops are located on the Santa Cruz and Capitola wharves, making them the pe

  3. Fish Taxi Sportfishing Oceanside CA
    Fish Taxi 6-pack private deep sea fishing charter all-inclusive 1/2 day, full day and overnight excursions available. From sportfishing tournaments to kid-friendly outings, we've got you covered. Gear and refreshments provided.

View more Monterey Bay Charters & Guides

Top Monterey Bay Marinas

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