Yes, Virginia, there is a salmon season. The latest information from the California Department of Fish and Game indicates salmon season will open from April 3 until the end of the month in our area for all ocean waters. Most anglers consider this very good news after sitting out the past two seasons due to low salmon returns in the Sacramento River system.

The DFG made this decision in conjunction with the federal Pacific Fisheries Management Council, predicated on the "jack count" of two-year old salmon that returned to the Sacramento System in 2009. A few options remain on the table for a continued salmon season after April 30, with final decisions to be made by the PFMC in mid-April. For now, the minimum size for king salmon remains at 20 inches, and the daily bag limit remains at two fish per angler per day. Coho, or silver salmon may not be retained. Local charter boat operations are gearing up for salmon trips, and will likely fill up quickly as the word spreads.

Gerry Brookes from Reel Sportfishing knows where to look for the kings once the season opens. On Monday, while drifting for halibut near Moss Landing, they caught and successfully released a "nice salmon." Caught on a sardine, the fish was "never netted and never taken out of water " according to Brookes, who was very careful not to injure the salmon. He marked "lots of bait" in the area, mostly smaller "hot-rod" sardines in the six-inch range, "perfect for halibut." Brookes was fishing 60-80 feet of water, notes the water temperature was in the 57-degree range and ultimately was successful in his halibut hunt, boating a 15-pounder.

It may be another early year for the big flatfish. We have received numerous reports of halibut caught in the Monterey area for the past month or so, and Todd Fraser from Bayside Marine brought home a legal flattie on Sunday, fishing in 60 feet of water in front of the Santa Cruz harbor. Fraser hooked his fish using dead squid.

Both Brookes and Jim Rubin from Captain Jimmy's Sportfishing agree the giant Humboldt squid are probably gone for the season. Rubin searched diligently on Saturday for the big cephalopods to no avail. "I looked as deep as 3,000 feet, and saw no signs of squid. My clients brought home full limits of Dungeness crab, though, and we managed about 10 sanddabs each in the short time we had to fish for them." Tuesday's trip on the Becky Anne resulted in Dungeness limits again, according to Rubin.

The big swell slowed fishing down on the wharf, says Ed Burrell at Capitola Boat and Bait. He was happy to report at least one nice black perch caught at about midpoint of the pier on Thursday. Other reports indicate the best surfcasting is still on the beaches below New Brighton for barred surfperch and the occasional striped bass.