Pacific bluefin tuna fishing out of Santa Cruz is a late-summer and fall offshore fishery, worked by boats that run well past the familiar salmon grounds. Santa Cruz Harbor is the departure point, and Monterey Bay is the water you cross first. This page covers the local picture in the order you decide it: the season, the run, the grounds, the method and the boats that fish it. Biology and general tackle are in our Pacific bluefin tuna guide.
When Pacific bluefin are off Santa Cruz
Operators fishing bluefin out of Santa Cruz put the window in late summer and fall. For how the fish move along the rest of the coast, see the Pacific Southwest bluefin guide (see also the Pacific Southwest fishing guide).
Season window
Barbarossa Fishing’s tuna charters list August through November. Go Fish puts the typical window at early September through late November. The two sources agree on September through November and differ only on August.
Where boats run from Santa Cruz
Boats fish offshore and mid-bay grounds. Bayside Marine’s fishing reports name four places where bluefin are reported.
| Reported bluefin ground | Reported by |
|---|---|
| Davenport Fingers | Bayside Marine |
| 601 weather buoy area | Bayside Marine |
| Monterey Canyon | Bayside Marine |
| The 451 off Point Sur | Bayside Marine |
Offshore: 30 to 60 miles
Barbarossa and Big Anchovy run 30 to 60 miles offshore, and mid-bay grounds are fished as well. Before committing to the run, check the NWS marine forecast linked from the Port District tides and weather page.
Davenport Fingers
Bayside Marine reports bluefin at the Davenport Fingers, up the coast near Davenport. It is the northernmost ground on the list.
601 weather buoy area
Bayside Marine reports bluefin near the 601 weather buoy area, a named bluefin ground offshore.
Monterey Canyon edge
Bayside Marine reports bluefin near the Monterey Canyon, and the canyon edge is a named bluefin area. Chart Contours shows the canyon edge and the Soquel Hole trench; chart layers are not for navigation.
The 451 off Point Sur
Bayside Marine reports bluefin near the 451 off Point Sur. It is the southernmost ground on the list, down the coast past the bay.
Named grounds inside the bay
The local grounds and reference points below are on the way out but are not reported bluefin grounds. They are the salmon and rockfish marks a local already runs past.
| Ground | Depth | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mile Buoy | Reef area off the harbor | |
| Soquel Hole | 170 ft | Named offshore trench off Capitola |
| 3 Trees | 240 ft | Named salmon ground |
| South Rock | Named local ground | |
| Four Mile (4 Mile) | Named ground north of Santa Cruz |
How bluefin are fished here
Three methods are used locally: trolling, live bait and jigging. They run in sequence from search to follow-up: troll to find fish, then work live mackerel or anchovy, or jig. Rigging and spread detail is in our tuna fishing guides.
- Trolling: Mad Macks and mackerel or cedar plugs
- Live bait: mackerel and anchovy
- Jigging: the third method used out of Santa Cruz
Troll to find them
Bayside Marine’s guidance is to troll Mad Macks until you find fish. Boats also troll mackerel or cedar plugs.
Live bait
Live mackerel and anchovy are the baits used locally, worked once fish are located.
Jigging
Jigging is the third method used out of Santa Cruz.
Who fishes bluefin out of Santa Cruz
Two local charters list Pacific bluefin tuna:
- Barbarossa Fishing: runs a Parker 2520XLD.
- Chartle Charters offshore tuna trip: runs a Hatteras Yacht for offshore work.
Bayside Marine’s reports and Big Anchovy’s runs fill in the rest of the local picture.
FAQ: Pacific bluefin tuna fishing out of Santa Cruz
When is bluefin season out of Santa Cruz?
Barbarossa lists August through November. Go Fish puts the typical window at early September through late November. Both cover September through November.
How far do boats run for bluefin?
Barbarossa and Big Anchovy run 30 to 60 miles offshore. Operators also fish mid-bay grounds.
Where are bluefin reported near Santa Cruz?
Bayside Marine reports fish at the Davenport Fingers, near the 601 weather buoy area, near the Monterey Canyon, and near the 451 off Point Sur.
What lure should I start with?
Bayside Marine’s guidance is to troll Mad Macks until you find fish. Mackerel or cedar plugs are also trolled. Live mackerel, anchovy and jigs are the other methods used locally.
Are there bluefin charters out of Santa Cruz?
Yes. Barbarossa Fishing (Parker 2520XLD) and Chartle Charters (Hatteras Yacht for offshore work) list Pacific bluefin tuna.
