Salmon fishing in the Monterey Bay, while not "red-hot," has at least remained steady and productive for those anglers who are willing to put in their time and effort. The general consensus is that there are a lot of salmon in the bay, but they are scattered out looking for bait. This fact, plus the large percentage of smaller "shaker" fish has kept the catch rate on the low side for the most part. Weather plays a part in the low-count reports as things became unsettled last week and the ocean got a bit sloppy. The weekend forecast indicates a high-pressure settling in over the area, which should improve conditions considerably.

One die-hard angler takes well deserved "big fish honors" this week. 84 year-old Katie Stone from Santa Cruz started fixing up a 17-foot boat four years ago for fishing the Monterey Bay. For three years now, she has been launching from the Capitola Wharf, with only smaller rockfish and the like to show for her efforts. This week, Ed Burrell at Capitola Boat and Bait was proud to take Stone's picture when she returned to the wharf with a good-sized King Salmon. Burrell and other Capitola regulars were overjoyed for her catch. "No one knows patience like Katie knows patience. That skunk didn't know what hit it!"

Ken Stagnaro from Stagnaro's Sportfishing checked in with his weekly report. "It's still spotty with many undersized fish being released." Stagnaro adds the bait situation is "starting to improve." As a result, he says, the salmon bite is "picking up a bit." Stagnaro expects good weather and has fingers crossed for good fishing this weekend on the flagship Velocity.

Gerry Brookes on the Doble had a great day on Monday. "We went straight out from the Harbor eight miles." Trolling flashers and hoochies, they boated seven kings in short order, as well as releasing several shakers. "We whacked 'em!" says Brookes who will be running salmon charters as long as there are salmon to be caught this season.

On the Becky Ann, Captain Jim Rubin says "we're catching fish every day," though some days are better than others. Generally, Captain Jimmy Charters is averaging about a fish per rod of keepers in the 12-18 pound range, though his big fish of the week weighed in at 25 pounds this week. Like Brookes, Rubin has released quite a few shakers this week, and lost a number of hard-fighting kings at the boat as well.