If you are expecting local fishing to slow down now that summer is over, we are sorry to disappoint you. Weather and sea conditions have been almost pleasant and the fishing is actually getting better!

Beyond the southern region of Monterey Bay, bottom fishing has been amazing. Captain Brian Cutting on the Kahuna out of Moss Landing headed deep into Big Sur territory last week. Cutting was quite pleased with the results from their foray saying, “We fished Lopez Point today with 22 anglers. Yet another stellar day with full limits of lingcod and rockfish. Again mostly vermillion up to a whopping 10 pounds! “

Moving up into the bay, a long-awaited squid spawn is fostering a fairly decent white seabass bite in Monterey. Most boats are fishing 70-150 feet of water from the Monterey Tides Hotel on DelMonte Beach up to the Sand City Beach. Minimum size is 28 inches for white seabass, and live squid are the best bait. Fresh dead squid (never frozen) is next best bet.

Pier fishing in Capitola and from the Santa Cruz Wharf has been productive of late as well. Big barred surf perch were caught in Capitola this week, and skiff anglers did well also. Halibut up to 16-pounds were reported caught while trolling in 665 feet of water, and local angler Bob Dice fished the East reef area for two nice lingcod and a passel of bolina rockfish. The lings bit on live kingfish.

Bayside Marine’s Todd Fraser checked in with his Santa Cruz report saying, “The weather has been nice and anglers fished up near Franklin Point and in the deep water. The report was good for rock fishing and lingcod fishing all around. There were a few halibut caught near Davenport. Inshore fishing near Natural Bridges produced some nice Lingcod.”

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife posted an in-season regulation change regarding rockfish on Thursday. The DFW announced that as of October 16, “Take is prohibited seaward of the 40 fathom depth contour (240 feet).”

There are still a few salmon being caught in the saltwater but most of the action has moved inland as big kings head to their spawning grounds. Famed guide JD Richey reported from the Sacramento area, saying “After limiting early on salmon on the Feather on Friday, I headed back to the Sacramento for some chrome. It was a good thing, too, as my guide buddies who stayed up there said the bite dropped off dramatically. The water levels are coming down quickly on the Feather and it seems as if no new fish are coming through. Luckily, there are some absolutely gorgeous kings pushing up the Sac now and we have been picking off some dandies. Looks like I may be sticking to that from now on...and, of course, the American, when it kicks on.”