Book your spot now and don't miss out on this delicious fishing opportunity!

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Rates

• Adult: $82 - Children (Ages 4-15): $57
• Ride Along: $57
• Plus $2/passenger Port Fee

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About

Join us for a sand dab trip on the beautiful Monterey Bay and catch the fish that fishermen love to eat! These small but tasty flat fish are known by locals as one of the best-eating fish in the ocean, and now's the best time of year to get out there and snag 'em.

Come aboard one of our first-class boats, the Velocity or the Legacy, which each carry about 30 fishermen comfortably and both feature a galley. Depart from Santa Cruz, one of the premier ports on the West Coast for venturing out in search of sand dabs. Set out to waters from the shallowest zones to depths of 200-300 feet, all of which prove rich with sand dabs off the California coast. This popular trip will surely yield plenty of fish for the frying pan. Whether you're a beginner or an old pro, our courteous crews will make your day both fun and memorable.

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Duration

Trips usually approximately 4.5 hours. The length of each trip depends heavily upon the "bite,” meaning if everyone catches their limit early, we will return early.

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Meeting Location

Stagnaro's office; 1718 Brommer Street, Santa Cruz, CA

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What Is Not Included?

Fishing equipment, licenses, and fish cleaning services: Equipment and licenses can be rented/purchased at the shop prior to departure. Rod/Reel rental $14 + $9 for tackle set-up + $20.52 1-day fishing license (all as needed per person). Fish cleaning is approx. $15-20 depending on amount of Sand Dabs caught. BRAIDED LINE NOT ALLOWED. No Spinning Rods

Fishing License regulations: Anyone 16 years of age or older (and who is fishing on the trip) is required to have a fishing license in their possession before getting on the boat. IF BOUGHT ONLINE at DFG YOU MUST PRINT YOUR LICENSE or display on the APP: https://wildlife.ca.gov/LicenseApp.

Food and beverages: Both boats feature a Galley. You can purchase chips & candy. Our drink selection includes soda, bottled water, beer, and wine. You may also bring your own food and drinks (but no alcohol!). Cash or credit ok.

Gratuities: For parties of 8 or more on public trips we will collect a 10% gratuity at check-in. Smaller groups can pay on the boat or at check-in.

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Other Policies

Participants must have a fishing license before getting on the boat.

All participants 16 years of age or older (and who are fishing) are required to have a fishing license in their possession before getting on the boat. One-day licenses can be purchased in our shop for $20.52 prior to departure. (IF BOUGHT ONLINE YOUR LICENSE MUST BE PRINTED or display on the APP: https://wildlife.ca.gov/LicenseApp)

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FAQs

What has the catch been like lately? Trips start January 2025!

We have been averaging 20-30 Sand Dabs per person!

Jan. 25th & 26th: On our Sand Dabs trips we caught about 30 DABS per person!

Sat. January 11th: On our Sand Dabs trip today we caught about 23 Sand Dabs per angler!

1/4/25 & 1/5/25 we caught about 20 Sand Dabs per person!

Jan. 3rd, 2025: Our first Sand Dabs trip of the season yielded about 21 Dabs per person!

Do I have to purchase tickets in advance? Advance purchase is strongly recommended, and trips often sell out quickly. To maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer, please buy your tickets well in advance. Tickets can only be purchased with a Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

If this trip is sold out can I get on a waiting list? Unfortunately, we do not have waiting lists for our trips, in order to get the day and time you prefer, book your tickets well in advance!

What happens if it rains? We still go out. The fish and whales are wet. The rain is of no consequence; we are concerned with wind and sea conditions and they are not necessarily bad during the rain. In fact, some of our best conditions can be on a rainy day, so dress appropriately. In the case of severe weather, we may cancel the trip up to an hour before the start time, in which case you will be allowed to reschedule tickets (subject to availability) or receive credit for a future event.

Do I need a fishing license? Yes. Anyone 16 years of age or older is REQUIRED to have a fishing license, which you can purchase during check-in at the office. It must be in your possession before getting on the boat. You can also purchase a license online at Dept of Fish & Wildlife and display it on the APP: https://wildlife.ca.gov/LicenseApp. The price of a one-day license is $20.52 as of January 1, 2025.

When do I buy my fishing license? You can buy the license at our office when you check in for the trip. A one-day license costs $20.52. Or bring your CA Annual Sportfishing license.

How many fish can I keep? There are no limits on sand dabs! Each fisherman can take as many as he can catch during these 4.5 hour trips.

How big are the sand dabs we catch? Sand dabs can get up to a foot long, but even the smaller ones make up for in taste what they might lack in size.

I have never been fishing before. Is that okay? Oh sure, nothing like a new experience! Our crew will assist you and, often times, some of the "seasoned" veterans are willing to offer advice.

What type of gear do I need? We can supply you with all the gear you need! You can purchase/rent a full equipment package online with your tickets or at our shop prior to departure. Even if you have some equipment at home, our rods and tackle are specific to the type of fish we will be catching. If you are a first-time fisherman, we recommend you purchase our equipment to ensure that you have all the best supplies!

Can you provide me with fishing gear, bait, and tackle? Yes, you can rent (or purchase, depending on the item) the necessary gear in our shop prior to departure: Rod & Reel Rental is $14.00 and a Tackle Kit is $9.00. Bait is included in your fare.

What is included in the tackle kit purchase? The tackle kit includes a Sand Dab Rig (Sabiki) with (1) 8-ounce weight and bucket to put your fish in. Bait is included in the price of every trip, regardless of whether or not you buy the tackle kit. All participants must have tackle suitable for sand dab fishing to fish on the trip. NO BRAIDED LINE ALLOWED

Are these trips suitable for pregnant women? For safety reasons, these trips not suitable for pregnant women. If you are pregnant and would like to attend anyway, you must first consult with your doctor.

Are children allowed? Due to the inherent motion of the boat, and for safety reasons, children ages 4 and younger are not allowed on the trip. If you'd like to take your young child on one of our cruises, check out the Whale Watching, Wildlife Trips & Scenic Bay Cruise.

Is my child too young to go fishing? It depends on the child. You know your child best. Age 5-6 may be a good age to get a child-oriented with this traditional sport. Sand dabs are a good fish to start out with, as it is very likely that a child will catch something. There is nothing more pleasurable than to see a child feel good about accomplishing a special task.

Can I bring an ice chest? Yes, for your food & beverages. Coolers longer than 20" are not allowed. Also, bringing your own alcohol on board is illegal. If you'd like to drink, please bring extra cash or credit to purchase beer or wine on the boat.

What types of food and beverages are available in the galley? You can purchase chips & candy. Plus, our drink selection includes soda, bottled water, beer, and wine. NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL

Do you guarantee that fish will be caught? We can guarantee fishing but not catching. The Skipper will do everything in his power to put you where there is fish. We cannot control what does or does not bite the hook.

How long will the fishing trip last? These trips last approx. 4.5 hours.

Where will we be fishing? Where we fish depends on the weather, how many people are on board, and where the fish are. We usually go about 5 to 10 miles offshore and fish at depths ranging from 200 to 300 feet.

What do I do with the fish I have caught? We recommend that you have the deckhand clean/fillet them - so much easier than having this mess at home. Fish scales migrate all over the house and never go away. Fish cleaning costs from $15-$20+ for sand dab fishing, depending on how full your bucket is at the end of the trip. Gratuities are also greatly appreciated.

Am I allowed to clean my own fish at the end of the trip? Unfortunately, no. Due to safety concerns and liability issues it cannot be permitted. If you would like your fish cleaned at the end of the trip, please allow the deckhand to do it for you. If you want to clean your own fish, you will have to pack them up and take them home before doing so. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Can I sell the fish I catch? NO! It is illegal to sell fish that are caught by way of "Recreational Sport Fishing." If you are caught violating this law, you (along with Stagnaro Charter Boats) will be fined and ordered to appear in court, and items might be confiscated.

I do not want to keep the fish I catch, can I throw them back? This is not a good idea as most fish will die, so it is better to give them to someone else on the boat who might want them. (let the crew know when you board if you do not want to keep your fish)

Will I get seasick? We sure hope not. Unfortunately, this is not something we can predict. While we can't recommend you take any medications, prevention might be a good idea if you are susceptible to motion sickness.

Is the boat safe? Absolutely. In addition to modern safety equipment (EPIRB, Life Floats, Life Jackets, etc.) our vessels are constantly maintained and inspected twice a year by the United States Coast Guard, a Division of Homeland Security.

Are there life jackets on the boat? Yes, there are life jackets for every adult and child on board. The location of the jackets is clearly posted and verbally announced by the skipper.

Do I have to wear the life jacket? Participants are not required to wear jackets. They are primarily for emergencies only.

Are there bathrooms on board? Yes, there is a restroom on board.

Will we see whales or dolphins while we are fishing? Maybe. Should the whales pass by, then great! You get a bonus for the day. If they do not, then please do not be disappointed as the objective of the trip is to go fishing!

Where does the boat depart from? Trips depart from the Santa Cruz West Harbor at Atlantic Avenue. However, CHECK-IN for the trip happens at Stagnaro’s office at 1718 BROMMER STREET 1 hour before departure. The staff will then direct you to the boat, which is about a 7-minute drive away. Don't worry - exact meeting location details and directions will be provided upon ticket purchase!

Where does my trip end? Your trip will end at the same dock it starts from.

Are your boats handicap/wheelchair accessible? Our boats are accessible to those with walkers and canes. Though we are often able to accommodate people in wheelchairs as well, our boats are not wheelchair accessible by average standards. If you are in a wheelchair, please keep in mind that steps leading to the boats prevent you from wheeling directly on board. As a result, you will need to be able to walk up the 4 stairs with help or have friends with you that will have to physically carry you from the dock, on to the boat, and back into your chair.

Will there be room on the boat to stow my belongings? There is a limited amount of space on the boat for your personal belongings. Please keep your food coolers under 20 inches in length. Keep your fish cooler in your car. Out of respect for your fellow passengers, please keep your personal items to a minimum.

Can I bring my dog or other small pet on board the boat? No, unfortunately, pets are not allowed on board our fishing trips.

Are gift certificates available? Yes! Gift certificates for Stagnaro Fishing Trips are great for any occasion. To purchase a gift certificate, click on the "Contact Stagnaros" link. You can call us direct at (831) 427-2334 or email us at info@stagnaros.com.

Can I book a private fishing trip? Yes! Stagnaro Fishing can accommodate a variety of special requests. Click on the "Contact Stagnaros" link for more information on private trips.