journal / field-reports / 2026-05-04
SLO County Fishing Report — May 4, 2026
Mondaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121103 places
There is a newer report: SLO County Fishing Report — November 15, 2026 →
Verdicts by place
Morro Bay offshore
GoodRockfish and lingcod outstanding
Morro Bay & Cayucos surf
GoodHalibut good from Morro Rock to Cayucos; surfperch solid
Lake Nacimiento
GoodBass good on topwater early; catfish heating up after dark
San Antonio Lake
FairBass good and bluegill excellent; trout slow
Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 9412110 · ft MLLW · Pacific time
Tides for the day
| 6:50 AM low | -0.4 ft |
|---|---|
| 1:49 PM high | 3.2 ft |
| 5:17 PM low | 2.8 ft |
| 11:40 PM high | 5.1 ft |
- range
- 5.5 ft
- minus tide
- -0.4 ft
- sunrise
- 6:09 AM
- sunset
- 7:51 PM
Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →
Bite grid
excellentgoodfairslownoted
| Species | Morro Bay | Nacimiento | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | not reported | good | good |
| Catfish | not reported | noted | not reported |
| Crappie / panfish | goodsurfperch | not reported | excellentpanfish |
| Trout | not reported | fair | slow |
| Rockfish | excellent& lingcod | not reported | not reported |
| Halibut | good | not reported | not reported |
| Salmon | noted | not reported | not reported |
By water
from the reportWater
Not reported.
What's biting
- Rockfish & Lingcod excellent Reefs and structure are holding big schools.
- Halibut good Action. Sandy bottoms from Morro Rock to Cayucos are producing on drifted live bait.
- Salmon Looking promising. Open since April 11 (CDFW).
- Surfperch good From pier and beach. Best on low light hours.
Lures & bait
None listed.
- Mackerel & Sardines Balled up tight to kelp paddies.
- Morro Bay Landing (May 3) Starfire, 3/4 day, 22 anglers: 100 rockfish, 44 red rockfish, 20 bocaccio, 9 lingcod (up to 12 lb).
- Patriot Sportfishing (May 3) Flying Fish, half day, 19 anglers: 179 rockcod, 4 copper rockfish, 4 red rockcod, 2 lingcod (up to 8 lb).
- Virg's Landing (May 3) Fiesta, 3/4 day, 29 anglers: 33 blue rockfish, 30 gopher rockfish, 18 rockfish, 2 lingcod.
Full report1 min read ›
Halibut are on the sand between Morro Rock and Cayucos, and the reefs are holding big schools of rockfish.
Ocean & Bay Fishing (Morro Bay)
- Rockfish & Lingcod: Outstanding. Reefs and structure are holding big schools.
- Halibut: Good action. Sandy bottoms from Morro Rock to Cayucos are producing on drifted live bait.
- Salmon: Looking promising. Open since April 11 (CDFW).
- Surfperch: Solid from pier and beach. Best on low light hours.
- Mackerel & Sardines: Balled up tight to kelp paddies.
Dock counts:
- Morro Bay Landing (May 3): Starfire, 3/4 day, 22 anglers: 100 rockfish, 44 red rockfish, 20 bocaccio, 9 lingcod (up to 12 lb).
- Patriot Sportfishing (May 3): Flying Fish, half day, 19 anglers: 179 rockcod, 4 copper rockfish, 4 red rockcod, 2 lingcod (up to 8 lb).
- Virg's Landing (May 3): Fiesta, 3/4 day, 29 anglers: 33 blue rockfish, 30 gopher rockfish, 18 rockfish, 2 lingcod.
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, May 3.
Freshwater Lakes
Lake Nacimiento ("Lake Naci")
- Bass: Good. Warming triggering spawn wrap-up. Shallow bites on topwater early.
- Trout: Fair. Stocked fish settling in. Deep trolling productive.
- Catfish: Heating up after dark. Chicken liver, crawfish effective.
Lake San Antonio
- Bass: Good. School fish on main lake humps.
- Trout: Slow but fair. Fly anglers having success with nymphs.
- Panfish: Excellent. Bluegill hit worms nonstop.
Weather
Sunny, highs in the mid-70s.