Summer fishing season is in full swing right now. Despite the nuisance of a recent south swell, fishing has been good to very good for the usual variety of species in Monterey Bay.

Ed Burrell at Capitola Boat and Bait is busy these days, as the rental skiffs return to the wharf with limits and near limits of rockfish. The edges of local kelp beds remain productive for bolina, grass and copper rockfish, and the deeper reefs are producing rockfish and the occasional lingcod as well. Working those kelp edges result in an occasional halibut as well. Burrell reports halibut caught near the kelp beds on either side of the Capitola Wharf. The most successful anglers are using live sardines as bait for the tasty flatfish. Burrell also reports that a rare calico bass was cught recently in the area, and other reports indicate a couple calicos were caught on the south side of the Bay, near Cannery Row in Monterey on Thursday.

A number of private boats launch from the Capitola Wharf each day. One of the most experienced locals, Larry Roland, brought a friend with him on Saturday. We will assume that Roland was happy for his companion who won the jackp[ot with a 24 and a 25-pound salmon as they worked the west edge of the Soquel Hole. Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine also recommends that area for salmon right now. The bite has slowed somewhat since last week, according to Fraser, and the fish are not quite as deep. Burrell reported a few salmon brought in from area on Thursday. "There were about 100 boats out there today, but maybe 15 fish caught, total. Lots of krill are in the area and the whales are putting on a show, with grey whales spyhopping, and even some blue whales sighted."

Jim Rubin from Captain Jimmy Charters has been working the Ano Nuevo area for rockfish this week. "That south swell slowed things down, but we enjoyed limit-style fishing of quality reds, blues, olives and a few ling cod." Earlier in the week Rubin boated multiple halibut for his clients, fishing closer to home.

Offshore weather this weekend looks very promising with a small swell and low winds. Hopefully the albacore hunters will be out there scoring on the muscular tuna soon. The recent south swell has moved the warm water currents closer to our coast, so odds are favorable for some albacore action soon.

Bushnell can also be heard on The Let's Go Fishing Radio Show, Thursdays at 7pm on KSCO Radio 1080AM. Send your photos, comments or questions to scruzfishing@yahoo.com