Monterey Bay anglers enjoyed a great week of fishing with mostly good conditions and plenty of fish on the bite. Nearshore waters have not gotten cold yet, so a variety of species are available to target. Topping the list of course are the majestic bluefin tuna that remain feeding in this area, providing locals and visitors with a chance at lifetime trophy fish. Bayside Marine's Todd Fraser summed things tuna up on Saturday, saying, "Anglers are catching some bluefin in the 75-150 pound range. There have been a good amount of 190-250 pound bluefin caught and lost so be ready. The bluefin were caught on the surface to 100 feet down today."

Fifteen year-old Landon Longsinger from Marina hit the bluefin jackpot this week along with his dad Robert on their Parker 2320. Pops proudly proclaimed, “My boy found one today! Made up for losing one couple days ago.” They were fishing the tuna area near Davenport on Thursday, using a downrigger to sink a live mackerel down 50 feet. The mack was played out about 150 feet behind the wire. Using teamwork, the fight was over in 58 minutes. Last week they lost a big one estimated at 150 pounds. The week before they had success with an 80-pounder. Thursday’s fish was tape measured and estimated at “around 100” according to Robert. On Sunday Landon said he wanted some rockfish, so they headed in the opposite direction towards Point Sur where they landed full limits of hefty cod including canaries, vermilion, yellows, bocaccio and three ling cod.

The Kahuna from Moss Landing has been on a prolific roll for the entire season when it comes to rockfish. On a full day trip they usually foray towards the reefs of Big Sur. That strategy pays off in terms of numbers and quality of fish. Sunday's full day trip in nice ocean conditions had not-unexpected results with 12 anglers aboard bagging 13 coppers, 29 vermilion, 57 assorted "other" rockfish and five lingcod. From Santa Cruz, Sunday's trip aboard the beautiful Miss Beth enjoyed similar results by heading north of the bay. Captain JT Thomas reported, "We went back to Franklin Point today. The rock cod bite continues to be hot. The clients had crew limits with one drift."

The rockfishing was also good near Davenport, and from the deeper reefs closer to town. The fall halibut are biting in 70-100 feet of water off the North Coast Beaches from Wilder's up to Five-Mile Beach. A few flatties are still feeding in the area near the Mile Buoy and near Capitola. Using Laser minnow or Mega-Baits from Capitola towards the Cement ship has garnered a few white sea bass this week, including a 44-pounder caught by Ed Burrell of Capitola boat and  Bait. There is plenty of live bait available for jigging throughout the entire area including Spanish and Pacific mackerel, smelt, kingfish and anchovies. Surfcasters are exploring different beaches these days after a couple good rainstorms and big ocean swells. Structure is being established at the big broad beaches towards the center of the bay. Lots of barred surf perch were caught this week with a few in the 14-15-inch range. A number of striped bass were reported by surfcasters as well. Let's hope that trend continues.