We experienced mixed conditions last week for ocean fishing in our area. A few days were very fishable, but a strong swell and stiff winds kept boats in the harbor on other days. This week will feature possible gale force winds and a big northwest swell, both of which should diminish over the weekend. Despite the variable conditions, local anglers still managed to find and catch a few fish in our area.

After a recent resurgence of rockfish and lingcod in the Capitola area, the catch rate dropped last week, likely due to the swell, and the lack of boats out fishing. Of the few boats that did make it out, most reported decent scores, mostly brown or bolina rockfish. Once this northwest swell has died down, chances are good that these groundfish will still be available in that area. The season for rockcod, cabezone and greenling lasts till November 30 this year, barring any early closures by the California Department of Fish and Game. The good news from Capitola is the mackerel and smelt are still on the inside despite the swell, and pier anglers are catching plenty of these smaller fish using shrimp, or cut mackerel as bait.

For the best rockfish and lingcod fishing most boats are heading north. Ken Stagnaro from Stagnaro's Sportfishing took the Velocity up the coast this weekend. Hitting one of his favorite reefs off Davenport, the boat returned home with full bags of olive, black, brown and vermillion rockfish. Bayside Marine reports a number of private boaters took the long trip to Franklin Point, near Ano Nuevo last week, and retuned with plenty of larger rockfish and lingcod.

Bayside also reports a slow but steady bite for tuna in the offshore waters. Few boats are venturing out the 20-40 miles to the warm tuna waters, but most are finding at least a few albacore for their efforts. The tuna are weighing in from 10-30 pounds. Along with the albacore are more numerous bonita, a smaller tuna cousin. Bonita are hard fighters and quite tasty if prepared correctly. Commercial fishermen from the Capitola area last week reported bonita in as close as the Soquel Hole area, which is within ten miles of the Santa Cruz harbor. Ed Burrell at Capitola boat and bait is hoping the bonita will continue to come closer, and provide some inshore action for the private boaters and skiffs.

Big fish honors this week go to "Blue Glass Jerry" Martin. According to Mike Schell at Bayside Marine, Martin hooked and landed a 9-foot thresher shark on Tuesday. The thresher weighed in over 70 pounds at Bayside. Martin reportedly caught the shark using live sardine on 40-pound test line, in 80 feet of water straight out from the harbor.