Most anglers are delighted that rockfish season has opened in our area as of last Saturday. Reports were somewhat scarce however, as wind and waves conspired again to make fishing difficult, especially for shallow water species. Good news is both salmon and halibut fishing are improving as we move closer to the summer season.

Dave Parker at Capitola Boat and Bait reports only a few rental boats out during the week. Rentals and private boats returned to the Capitola Wharf with an assortment of rockfish, lingcod and the occasional halibut. Parker says the rockfish are biting along the edge of the kelp beds and on various reefs near Capitola and Pleasure Point. The best news is the variety of bait in that area. Parker reports "There are some nice sardines just outside the marina this week, and we've been jigging up anchovies from the pier, pinheads and slightly larger." The inshore bait may have a corollary effect. Ed Burrell reports incidentally catching and releasing an undersized salmon near the Mile Reef early in the week. Hopefully, we will see some shallow water salmon fishing soon in Santa Cruz.

Meanwhile, Monterey has a salmon bite going on off DelMonte Beach. Mixed with the occasional white sea bass, the locals in Monterey have been catching salmon this week in 70-120 feet of water in the area offshore from the "hotel." The charter boat "Kahuna" reported 12 king salmon weighing up to 18 pounds landed on Monday. They had plenty of action with 30 fish hooked but lost for the boat. Locally, the best bite remains the west side of the Soquel Hole. Trollers are still doing better than moochers. The fish are coming up, which is good news. Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine fielded reports of fish caught as shallow as 30 feet down in 250 feet of water.

Fraser also reports an increase in the number of halibut reported to his shop. "The halibut fishing has been getting better near the Mile Buoy and the West side of Santa Cruz. The halibut and rock fishing should just keep getting better on a daily basis. There have been some thresher sharks hooked in the salmon grounds and near the beaches so get ready for them."

Surfcaster reports indicate a number of striped bass caught from the beaches south of Capitola. If you walk the surfline for perch this weekend, use a heavier test line so as not to lose a prize striper.