A strong, but mercifully brief south swell slowed the pace of fishing in Monterey Bay at the start of this week. High winds over the weekend didn’t help matters much, either. Since then the waves have subsided and winds are down to a more normal level. September and October are months that often feature full days of calm seas and sunny skies, but weather will always be variable. One thing for sure, there is no shortage of fish to catch in the bay.

Charter boats continue to do well with rockfish and lingcod catches. Chris’ Fishing Trips from Monterey maintained their impeccable record of limits this week. Owner Chris Arcoleo reported daily limits up to 32 lingcod and 300 rockfish from the Star of Monterey, Check Mate and the Caroline each day this week. In Santa Cruz, Stagnaro’s Sportfishing made the best of difficult conditions over the weekend. Ken Stagnaro reports, “Sunday we had a nine hour north coast trip with 14 people who scored 13 lings and 124 rock fish. A big south ground swell is to blame for the low numbers this past weekend and dirty water made for tough fishing Look for fishing to pick up as things turn back to normal.”

The Kahuna launched from Moss Landing Sunday on a very special fishing trip. A private group embarked on a memorial for local angler Art Helgueros who passed away recently. Kahuna owner Carol Jones told us of this bittersweet outing, “Friends and Family of well known and well loved by local fishing community Art Helgueros had a special day on the Kahuna today. Art was an avid fisherman and put together many charters including his annual "Iron Man" (no bait, iron only) charter on the Kahuna. The group did a light tackle shallow water trip as the wind is still howling down the coast. They all had a great time!” Rest In Peace Art, and we will keep the Iron Man contest going for you!

Marko Mlikotin, Executive Director of the California Sportfishing League shared disappointing news recently. The California Legislature has once again failed to pass a 12-month fishing license bill. Milotkin vows to keep up the fight, and the CSL can use all the support we can muster as active anglers and concerned citizens.

Milotkin reports, “California’s annual calendar-based fishing license expires on December 31st of every year, providing few incentives for anglers to pay full-price for a license in the spring and summer months when recreational activity increases. The sales of California’s annual sport fishing licenses have declined over 55% since 1980, and 16% during the past eight years of the Brown Administration. The base price of California’s calendar-based license is the second most expensive license in the country. Once required permits are purchased, California has the distinction of being the most expensive state to fish in the country.”