CAPTION: In case you have forgotten, this is what king salmon look like. Good luck on the season opener!

Fish Rap
Tomorrow is the day! After a two-year closure, sport fishing for king salmon will once again be legal in the state of California. It would be safe to say excitement is running high amongst the angling community in Santa Cruz. Saturday, April 3 is the opener and the season is scheduled at this time to continue through April 30. A mid-month meeting between the Pacific Fisheries Management Council and the California Fish and Game Commission will determine the final shape of our season for the year. Options on the table include keeping the season open through October 3 with a 24-inch minimum size, closing the season for May and June but retaining the 20-inch size limit or closing the season entirely, which would take effect on May 1, 2010.

For now, we know we can fish for salmon at least through April 30. Fish must be 20 inches in length for retention. Two salmon of any species except coho, or silver salmon may be retained per angler each day. Anglers can use only one rod while fishing for salmon and other gear restrictions are somewhat complex. Before launching for salmon, it would be wise to review the current Department of Fish and Game salmon regulations. The DFG rules for terminal tackle is as follows:

"Single point, single shank, barbless circle hooks are required when fishing with bait by any means other than trolling, and no more than two such hooks shall be used. When angling with two hooks, the distance between the hooks must not exceed five inches when measured from the top of the eye of the top hook to the inner base of the curve of the lower hook, and both hooks must be permanently tied in place (hard tied). Circle hooks are not required when artificial lures are used without bait." Circle hooks are further defined as "A hook with a generally circular shape and a point which turns inward, pointing directly to the shank at a 90 ? angle."

The weather forecast is improving for this weekend with high winds of 10-15 knots predicted. The swell could be as high as 12 feet, however, which might make things dicey for boaters launching from the Santa Cruz Harbor. Holland Maclaurie from the Harbormaster's Office says they will be "paying close attention" to ocean safety conditions and have extra staff scheduled at to keep the flow of vehicles and trailers moving. Launching at the ramp can begin as early as 4am Saturday morning, but fishing can't start until daylight.

As always for the season opener, it is critical that anglers double-check their boats' safety equipment, radios, electronics and mechanical functions to avoid any on-the-water emergencies. Please stay safe. Respect the ocean conditions and other boaters while enjoying your long-awaited chance at putting some salmon "in the box!"