CAPTION: There's one out there waiting for you.

We're moving into late spring fishing conditions and the action is going to get better and better as the weeks progress. Fishing for king salmon was the number one pick this week, but a few halibut are starting to show up. Best of all, rockfish season opens tomorrow and the weather is supposed to improve for the weekend.

Starting in May, the new salmon regulations are in effect. While the season is scheduled to last until September 6, the minimum size has been raised to 24 inches for each of the two salmon allowed per angler per day, and we are allowed to fish for salmon from Thursday through Mondays only. Tuesday and Wednesdays are closed for salmon.

The bite has remained steady though on the slow side for most. Some private boaters reported limits over the weekend and on Monday, but by Tuesday the wind came up and kept most boats inside. The best results continue to come from the west side of the Soquel Hole, according to Jim Rubin from Captain Jimmy's Sportfishing. "We're averaging about a fish per rod," Rubin says. "We went 4-for-five on Saturday, lost a bunch on Sunday, then scored limits of salmon up to 18 pounds on Monday. We haven't been skunked yet!" The fish are still holding deep from 150-250 feet down. Moochers (drift fishing) have the advantage of getting deep more easily, but trollers cover more territory while searching for fish. It's a toss-up as to which technique is better right now, so be prepared to utilize either when you get out there.

Halibut reports are increasing, with most fish reported in deeper water- from 60-80 feet. The area from the Mile Buoy in towards Capitola featured a number of reports over the weekend of halibut including a few in the 20-pound range. If the winds or seas prove to be too uncomfortable to make it out to the Hole for salmon, halibut might be a good inshore alternative this weekend.

Rockfish season extends from May 1 through November 15. The regulations are virtually the same as last year. According to the California Department of Fish and Game, "These species may only be taken or possessed in waters less than 240 feet (40 fathoms) deep. The daily bag and possession limit is 10 fish in combination of all species within the RCG Complex (includes all species of Rockfish, Cabezon and Greenlings) per person, with a sub-limit on bocaccio (2 per person, minimum size limit of 10 inches total length, also included in the 10 fish RCG Complex aggregate limit). Yelloweye rockfish, canary rockfish, bronzespotted rockfish, and cowcod may not be retained (bag limit: zero)." Greenlings must be at least 12 inches long; Cabezone 15 inches and ling cod 24 inches for retention. We can keep two lings per day separate from the 10-fish RCG bag total.