Tom Mattusch

The Huli Cat was loaded with crab pots for the Saturday November 1 opener. The weather brought the first significant storm of the season and the crew finished working on the pots in the rain and high winds. Saturday came and went without dropping pots, but the weather significantly moderated for day two of the 2009 crab season. "The Huli Cat went for a rockfish/crab combo on Sunday, November 2," said Capt. Tom Mattusch. "There was still a lump on the ocean, however we got the pots out. The end of the day revealed limits of Dungeness crab for the anglers as well as a fishing opportunity." Capt. Tom says the pots were located inside the Three Mile state water limit in about 165 feet of water and out side the four mile drag zone line in about 180 feet of water. "I have never seen such a large number of small Dungeness crab ever. This bodes well for next year, as most of the crabs were just a little short. Great numbers of males and good numbers of females hopefuly mark then bottom of this cycle and the beginning of a strong season for next year." For November, the Huli Cat will be doing crab trips, and crab combos with either squid or rockfish. The Deep Water trips should also be available, weather permitting.

Fish Species: Dungeness Crab and Rockfish
Bait Used: Squi et al
Tackle Used: Shrimp flies, swimbaits
Method Used: Drifitng
Water Depth: 60 - 185 feet
Water Temperature: 55 F
Wind Direction: S
Wind Speed:

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Tom Mattusch

About The Author: Captain Tom Mattusch

Company: Huli Cat Sportfishing

Area Reporting: Central California, San Francisco Bay area

Bio: Tom Mattusch is currently the owner/operator of the Huli Cat, a 53 foot charter boat operating out of Pillar Point Harbor and has fished the West Coast since 1967. Tom holds positions on the Salmon Stamp Committee for California, the California Department of Fish and Game License Agent Advisory Committee and NOAA's California Sportfishing Action Team. He's an IGFA Certified Captain. In an effort to contribute to research, Tom works with NOAA's PFEL tagging chinook salmon. He also worked with NOAA's Santa Cruz field office gathering stomachs and beaks of Humboldt squid. He recently completed a study with the Point Reyes Bird Observatory collecting lingcod, salmon and halibut stomachs and is currently involved in a study with Scripps to gather albacore stomachs. Tom holds Board of Director positions with the Golden Gate Fishermens Association, Coastside Fishing Club and Fishery Enhancement and Research Foundation. He can be heard on four radio stations giving fish reports or discussing fishing politics. He has worked closely with the Recreational Fishing Alliance, PCFFA, the Half Moon Bay Fishermans Marketing Association, United Anglers of Southern California and United Anglers. Tom ran the first trip out of Half Moon Bay to take anglers to catch Humboldt squid and the first white shark viewing trip to the Farallon Islands. He is the first charter boat Captain out of Half Moon Bay to get certified to marry people and has married people on the Huli Cat. Tom ran the first albacore trip out of Half Moon Bay to demonstrate the albacore were again reachable by boat off the Central California coast in the mid 1990's. Tom held a seat on the California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative as a Central Coast Regional Stakeholder group Member.

650-726-2926
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Tom Mattusch