Weather and sea conditions were fairly cooperative this week, allowing most anglers to get a good morning of fishing in before the wind waves kicked up. The coming weekend might include some rain, but fishing should still be possible if the winds stay down.

Launching from Moss Landing, the Kahuna is making most her trips towards the Point Sur area. Owner Carol Jones is finding great success by offering occasional “long-range” rockfish trips further south off Point Lopez. They target the deep and seldom-fished reefs in that area. Her strategy is working well for Jones and the Kahuna, with each Lopez trip catching full limits of great quality, big rockfish. These Kahuna limits feature a high percentage of vermilions. There is also an increased chance of more exotic catches such as sheepshead, more commonly caught by Southern California anglers.

The broad swath of sandy beaches that ring the Monterey Bay are constantly changing, and the changes accelerate with high swells and the heavy currents in winter. We’re already seeing some re-sculpting of our favorite surfcasting spots. Barred surf perch are our main catch while surfcasting right now, though pile perch and walleyes make an occasional appearance. There’s always a chance of striped bass hitting your GULP! Camo Sandworm, so savvy anglers usually carry a few striper lures while perch fishing. Stripers are often active surface feeders. It pays to have a popper or KastMaster to throw if you spot a boil in the surfline.

Skiffs launching from Capitola continue to find a steady supply of bolina rockfish on the local reefs. Anglers using live bait have a very good chance for ling cod as well. Capitola regular Bob Dice used live king fish to catch two lings on Tuesday from the Mile Reef area.

Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine reminds us that Dungeness crab season opens on Saturday. Sport crabbers are allowed to keep 10 Dungeness per day per angler this year. Minimum size is five and 3/4 inches. Fraser also reports Santa Cruz rockfishing remains steady on the deeper reefs such as South Rock, though bigger fish and quicker limits are coming for the anglers that head further north, towards Davenport and Franklin Point.

Don’t forget that Saturday November 11 features the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project’s 40th Annual Albacore Feed in Castroville. Tickets at the door are only $20 ($10 for kids). The feed is scheduled for 6pm at the Castroville Recreation Center, 11261 Crane Street. This is a great way to support MBSTP’s ongoing efforts to restore steelhead and king salmon stocks in our area, and the silent auction items are second to none.