2022’s Best and Worst States for Fishing

When is the best time of year to go fishing?

There are fishing opportunities year-round in Monterey Bay and surrounding waters. Check the annual fishing regulations for actual seasons and bag and size limits.

In general, salmon, white seabass, halibut, rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, and other ground fish can be caught in spring through summer and early fall. Albacore, bonito, and bluefin tuna make transient appearances in summer and fall. The season for Dungeness crab runs from November to June typically, and rock crab can typically be caught year-round.

Don’t forget about the small but tasty mackerel, anchovies, sand dabs, and sardines that can be caught year-round, as well. Surf perch and striped bass are sought after all year from shore, but the fishing for perch tends to be better in the winter, whereas the large striped bass visit the area in spring and summer.

What is the best weather for fishing?

Ocean fishing in Central California is highly dependent on the wind and swell. Monterey Bay doesn’t offer much protection from the wind, so it is best to time any trips on the ocean with small swell and light winds. Groundfish species often stop biting when there is a big swell, so not only is it a less pleasant boating experience but the fishing isn’t as good, either.

What are the pros and cons of fishing in freshwater vs. saltwater?

Neither freshwater nor saltwater fishing in the area is better than the other. There are some great freshwater fisheries in the Monterey Bay Area for bass, crappie, carp, catfish, and steelhead.

The ocean offers a diverse array of large, delicious fish that the freshwater fisheries can’t compete with, but a relaxing day fishing at a lake or river from shore or boat can’t be beat.

What are your top three tips to get fish biting?

• Be willing to mix things up. When the fish aren’t biting, don’t keep doing the same thing that everyone else is doing. Try something new: a new location, a new bait, a new depth, a new speed, etc.
• Talk with your fellow fishers. Local knowledge is hard to come by and is very valuable, so share info and learn from others.
• Do your research. Before a day on the water, read and watch everything you can find about the area or the target species. Be prepared with the right tackle. Often it is just one little trick that makes a great day.

What are the best fishing methods (bait fishing, fly-fishing, trolling, etc.) and why?

There are opportunities for all types of fishing in the Monterey Bay Area. The style of fishing depends on personal preference and on the target species. While hooking a salmon on a fly rod at the surface would be incredible, it would take years to make that happen, so it’s not really practical.

I personally prefer using artificial baits, either jigging or trolling, because I like the challenge, but I am not opposed to bait, which is typically the easiest way to catch fish.

Squid, anchovies, sardines and smelt are the most common baits used.

What are your top 3-5 fishing essentials? Any gear beginners and pros should have in their tackle box?

1. Fishing regulations: Know them, and carry them with you. You can also download them to your phone. The radio is filled with people asking for size and bag limits when they should know this information to avoid hefty fines from the game warden.

   Examples of key things to know:

   • Bag limit
   • Size limit
   • Season
   • Prohibited species and how to identify them
   • Barbless hook requirement
   • Allowed number of hooks
   • Allowed number of rods per person
   • Marine-protected area (MPA) coordinates and restrictions
2. Fishing license
3. Safety gear: For boaters, the U.S. Coast Guard requires certain safety gear depending on the size and type of the watercraft being used (for example, vessel registration, PFDs, flares, horn, and fire extinguishers).

   Once all of that is looked after, having the appropriate gear for the target species is key. For most species caught from a boat a basic boat rod with 20-30 pound test will work.

4. When fishing in deep water (greater than 70 feet), have a descender device handy. Descenders can be purchased to release unwanted fish back to depth, but a simple hook tied upside-down works well, too (check out videos online for demonstrations).
5. Be sure to have a gaff or net available to bring in the big one. Salmon cannot be gaffed, only netted.

What’s your most important piece of advice for fishing beginners?

1. Patience is the most important part of fishing, and presentation is everything.
2. Stay alert and watch your surroundings carefully for clues to where the fish might be.
3. Ask yourself a lot of questions:
   • Are other boats catching fish?
   • What are they using?
   • Are there feeding birds or piles of bait around?
   • What color and temperature is the water?
   • Is my bait in good shape?
   • Is my hook fouled with seaweed?
   • Is one rod fishing better than another? Why?

When is the best time of year to go fishing?

Like most things, the real answer is “it depends”. It depends on the type of fishing and the species of fish.

For example, there are fall runs and summer runs for Steelhead Trout. In ponds here in the south, the best time to fish for Redear Sunfish is early spring and then late spring for Bluegill.

Generally, the best fishing for Largemouth Bass here in the south is late March through early May. Fishing then picks up again in late September through October. The angler needs to know their target fish in order to decide the best fishing season.

What is the best weather for fishing?

For freshwater fishing, I find that cool, cloudy days produce the best fishing. Partly because the fish are nearer to the surface and partly because I am more comfortable.

A comfortable angler is more likely to be patient!

What are the pros and cons of fishing in freshwater vs. saltwater?

One could write a whole thesis on this question!

The biggest advantage of freshwater fishing is accessibility. Ponds and streams are usually readily available and one can often fish them easily from shore. Even fairly large lakes and reservoirs can be fished using relatively inexpensive small boats.

Freshwater is also easier on equipment. In saltwater, everything has to be washed after the trip to prevent corrosion.

The downside of freshwater fishing is less spectacular diversity of dramatic large gamefish, whereas you really never know what you might catch fishing in the ocean.

What are your top three tips to get fish biting?

1. Try natural bait. Sorry, but sometimes they just won’t take a lure.

2. Switch lures or baits after giving it sufficient effort.

3. Switch presentation. Mostly slow down the presentation.

What are the best fishing methods (bait fishing, fly-fishing, trolling, etc.) and why?

Ok, I refuse to give a straight answer on this. There is no “best” fishing method. It depends entirely on your target fish species, the system you are fishing in, and perhaps most importantly, what method you enjoy most.

What are your top 3-5 fishing essentials? Any gear beginners and pros should have in their tackle box?

1. A pair of locking hemostats – great for hook removing

2. A multi-tool with a small Phillips head and straight screwdriver for reel repair, boat motor work.

3. A couple of ziplock bags – just in case you need to keep something dry

4. A can of reel and line lubricant – cleans and protects the reel and releases tension and memory in monofilament line.

5. A roll of duct tape – too many uses to list!

What’s the most important piece of advice for fishing beginners?

I’m going to give 2… First, find a local expert to go with you and show you the ropes. Many of us learned to fish from a family member but that isn’t always possible. A patient teacher is important for first time anglers or for experienced anglers that are trying a new area, a new method, or targeting a new fish.

Second, while fishing, be patient. The point of fishing needs to at least be in part, to slow down and experience the activity and the world around you. Don’t be so focused on catching the first, most, or biggest fish.