Ocean conditions this week featured a massive west swell, generated by an extreme low pressure system hovering off the Pacific Northwest coast. “This swell will bring hazardous seas to the region as well as large breaking waves to the coastline through Friday,” according to the National Atmospheric and Administration marine forecast.

Santa Cruz Harbor officials warn the dangerous conditions could continue through the weekend, though the nearly 20-foot waves are predicted to peak on Thursday night. Harbormaster Latisha Marshall sent an urgent notification out on Wednesday cautioning,” A high surf advisory is in effect. Seas are forecast to range in size from 17 to 20 feet, with the highest swells expected to arrive late Wednesday and Thursday. Large and dangerous swell will likely continue along the coast through at least Friday.” Though the Santa Cruz Harbor entrance channel is nearly 17 feet deep, drifting sand from this swell and the sheer size of the waves are likely to create a situation wherein transiting the entrance is foolhardy at best. Boaters are advised to check their boats at the dock, making sure lines and pumps are ready for the surge expected within the harbor.

Surfcasters, dogwalkers and families at play need to be extra cautious at the beaches during this event to avoid possible tragedy. This is a long-period swell and high-tide ‘sneaker’ waves can send powerful surges of whitewater up and over the sand berm onto what looks like safe dry beach. Never turn your back on the ocean. Better yet, watch the waves from the cliffs or safety of the street.

Ironically, despite a robust six to eight-foot swell earlier this week, surfcasting for perch was getting much better. Good catches of jumbo-sized barred surfperch were reported from Main and Seabright Beaches in Santa Cruz and the long sandy stretches below Capitola. Last week’s rain served to open the Pajaro and Salinas rivermouths as well, flushing hundreds of schoolie-sized striped bass into the saltwater. Beach anglers reported catching and releasing up to a half-dozen stripers each along the inside trough on the Aptos beaches. Most of the bass were caught by anglers while fishing for perch. The bass were biting plastic grubs and the two-inch GULP Camo Sandworms.

Local streams are very low and clear, inhibiting steelhead fishing. We received good reports from the northern part of the state however. Mario Gomez from Ironhead Guide Service fishes the middle Klamath River area. On Wednesday, Gomez reported, “The Klamath is fishing like you wouldn't believe. The recent rains have got the fish moving around and wanting to feed. We have been seeing bigger than normal fish this year and the amount of fish has got me really excited about the 2018 winter steelhead season on the Klamath.”