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Santa Cruz, CA Fishing Trip — April

Your Santa Cruz, CA Fishing Trip

April2 peopleFamily Trip
High 63°F / Low 47°F0.5" rain · 3 rainy daysMild weather — bring layers for cool mornings on the water.

What’s Biting in April

8 species
Striped BassExcellent
Striped Bass
Trolling · Casting
SteelheadExcellent
Steelhead
Various
LingcodGood
Lingcod
Various
Dungeness CrabGood
Dungeness Crab
Crab Traps · Ring Nets
Chinook SalmonGood
Chinook Salmon
Trolling · Fly Fishing
RockfishGood
Rockfish
Various
Coho SalmonGood
Coho Salmon
Various
HalibutGood
Halibut
Bottom Fishing · Trolling

April Weather in Santa Cruz

63°F
Avg High
47°F
Avg Low
0.5"
Rainfall
3
Rainy Days

Mild weather — bring layers for cool mornings on the water.

12 Guides Matched

Santa Cruz Charters - Santa Cruz Charters
Santa Cruz Charters

Santa Cruz Charters

4.8(120)Top Rated
Santa Cruz, California
Stagnaro Charter Boats - Stagnaro Charter Boats
Stagnaro Charter Boats

Stagnaro Charter Boats

4.6(141)Top Rated
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz Coastal Charters - Santa Cruz Coastal Charters
Santa Cruz Coastal Charters

Santa Cruz Coastal Charters

5(78)Top Rated

Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay California BEST Fishing Charter Tour! Join Captain Rodney and crew for daily personalized fishing and wildlife viewing cruises great for all ages and experience levels.

Santa Cruz, California
Stagnaro Charters - ,
,

Stagnaro Charters

4.5(78)Top Rated
inshore
Santa Cruz, California
Barbarossa Fishing Charters - Barbarossa Fishing Charters
Barbarossa Fishing Charters

Barbarossa Fishing Charters

4.9(32)Top Rated
Santa Cruz, California
Tied and True Fishing Guide and Charters - Tied and True Fishing Guide and Charters
Tied and True Fishing Guide and Charters

Tied and True Fishing Guide and Charters

5(18)Top Rated
Santa Cruz, California
Cod Mountain Fish - Cod Mountain Fish
Cod Mountain Fish

Cod Mountain Fish

5(10)Top Rated

Experience the best fishing charters in Santa Cruz, CA with Cod Mountain Fish Co. Book your adventure today!

inshoreCod
Santa Cruz, California
Waypoint Sport Fishing - Waypoint Sport Fishing
Waypoint Sport Fishing

Waypoint Sport Fishing

5(7)Top Rated

The top of the line sportfishing charter out of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
The Big Anchovy - The Big Anchovy
The Big Anchovy

The Big Anchovy

5(7)Top Rated
Santa Cruz, California
Chartle Charters - Chartle Charters
Chartle Charters

Chartle Charters

4.8(8)Top Rated

Chartle Charters is the Premiere all inclusive Sport fishing charter serving Santa Cruz, Ca since 1996, Providing the Finest Experience possible for 6pp.

Santa Cruz, California
Go Fish Santa Cruz Charters - Go Fish Santa Cruz Charters
Go Fish Santa Cruz Charters

Go Fish Santa Cruz Charters

5(3)Top Rated

Go on your expedition aboard the Miss Beth, a 30′ island hopper sports fishing boat fully equipped for any fishing adventure on the Monterey Bay.

Santa Cruz, California
Pacific Fresh - Pacific Fresh
Pacific Fresh

Pacific Fresh

Santa Cruz, California

PacificFresh specializes in wild troll-caught pacific fresh seafood including King Salmon, California Halibut, Lingcod and Pacific Snapper.

freshwaterCalifornia HalibutSalmon
Santa Cruz, California

Prepare for Your Trip

Gear recommendations and packing list for your trip. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

What to Bring

Check with your guide about gear. Here's a recommended packing list:

Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
Polarized sunglasses
Hat or visor
Weather-appropriate clothing
Non-marking shoes or deck shoes
Water and drinks (stay hydrated)
Snacks or lunch
Cooler for your catch
Motion sickness medication (if needed)
Camera or phone (waterproof case recommended)
Valid fishing license (confirm with captain)
Bug spray
Rain gear
Light rain jacket
$910
Estimated total for 2 people
$455
per person
Charter $500
Tip $100
Licenses $60
Food $100
Lodging $150
Find Hotels
Santa Cruz from ~$150/night
Rent a Car
Pickup in Santa Cruz

Estimates based on local charter rates and averages. Contact guides for exact pricing.

Things to Do in Santa Cruz

Activities for your non-fishing days

Boat Tours & Cruises
Explore →
Snorkeling & Diving
Explore →
Kayaking & Paddleboarding
Explore →
Wildlife & Nature Tours
Explore →

What's Biting By Month

Peak
1 / 2

Striped Bass

both
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Lingcod

Various
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Dungeness Crab

saltwater
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Chinook Salmon

both
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

California Fishing License

License Cost
Resident$54.00
Non-Resident$145.94
Requirements

Required for ages 16+. Ocean enhancement and report card stamps may be required.

Buy License Online — California

Species Regulations

Striped Bass
Season:Year-round
Bag Limit:2 per day
Size Limit:18-inch minimum

Check specific regulations for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and other water bodies as special rules may apply.

Steelhead
Season:Varies by river; check current regulations
Bag Limit:Varies by river; check current regulations
Size Limit:Varies by river; check current regulations

Regulations vary significantly by river system, including catch-and-release only sections and gear restrictions. A Steelhead Report Card is required in addition to a valid fishing license.

Lingcod
Season:Varies by zone; check regulations
Bag Limit:2 per day
Size Limit:22-inch minimum total length

Regulations vary by management area; check specific regulations for the area you intend to fish. Some areas may be closed.

Dungeness Crab
Season:Varies by zone; check current regulations
Bag Limit:10 per day
Size Limit:5 3/4-inch minimum shell width

Regulations vary between the North and Central Management Areas. Check for specific gear restrictions and potential season closures due to domoic acid.

Also Consider Fishing In...

San Francisco16 guides · 61 miHalf Moon Bay6 guides · 44 miEmeryville6 guides · 62 miSausalito6 guides · 67 miBerkeley6 guides · 63 miRichmond3 guides · 67 mi
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