journal / field-reports / 2026-05-05
SLO County Fishing Report — May 5, 2026
Tuesdaygauge 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; trout fair, catfish after dark
San Antonio Lake
GoodBass good, bluegill excellent; trout fair on nymphs
Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 9412110 · ft MLLW · Pacific time
Tides for the day
| 7:34 AM low | -0.2 ft |
|---|---|
| 2:56 PM high | 3.1 ft |
| 5:48 PM low | 2.9 ft |
- range
- 3.4 ft
- minus tide
- -0.2 ft
- sunrise
- 6:08 AM
- sunset
- 7:52 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 | not reported | fair |
| 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
- Halibut good Action. Drift live bait over the sand from Morro Rock to Cayucos.
- Salmon Check CDFW for season updates — open since April 11.
- Surfperch good From pier and beach. Low light brings the best bite.
Lures & bait
None listed.
- Mackerel & Sardines Balled up tight to kelp paddies.
- Patriot Sportfishing (May 4) Patriot, half day, 33 anglers: 208 rockcod, 9 red rockcod, 5 bocaccio, 2 lingcod (up to 10 lb).
Full report1 min read ›
Summer-like heat is warming the water. The reefs off Morro Bay are still giving up rockfish and lingcod.
Ocean & Bay Fishing (Morro Bay)
- Rockfish & Lingcod: Outstanding.
- Halibut: Good action. Drift live bait over the sand from Morro Rock to Cayucos.
- Salmon: Check CDFW for season updates — open since April 11.
- Surfperch: Solid from pier and beach. Low light brings the best bite.
- Mackerel & Sardines: Balled up tight to kelp paddies.
Dock counts:
- Patriot Sportfishing (May 4): Patriot, half day, 33 anglers: 208 rockcod, 9 red rockcod, 5 bocaccio, 2 lingcod (up to 10 lb).
Counts: SportfishingReport.com dock totals, May 4.
Freshwater Lakes
No new report since May 4.
Lake Nacimiento ("Lake Naci")
- Bass: Good. Spawn wrapping up but still aggressive on topwater early.
- Catfish: Heating up after dark. Chicken liver and crawfish are the go-to baits.
Lake San Antonio
- Bass: Good. School fish on main lake humps.
- Trout: Fair. Fly anglers doing well with nymphs.
- Panfish: Excellent. Bluegill on worms nonstop.
Weather
Sunny, highs in the mid-70s.