It's getting frustrating for local anglers. Unsettled weather combined with a succession of mixed swells continues to make the prospects of getting out on the ocean 'iffy' at best. The past few weeks have seen many cancelled or postponed fishing trips due to gnarly conditions.

The fish are out there. Skipper Ken Stagnaro from Stagnaro's Sportfishing took a twilight trip last Saturday. Even with the big 60-foot flagship Velocity, Stagnaro was forced to fish way inside. "It was blowing around 35 knots, just impossible until we moved in to the Mile Buoy area. Most clients got half-limits, and the fish were good quality gophers, browns, blacks and reds. We also got a nice eight-pound lingcod. I should have moved in sooner." Stagnaro is looking forward to some better weather soon, so he can begin to work the reefs off the North Coast for his clients. "The local reefs have been kicking out pretty good, though" he adds.

Around Capitola, reports are similar. Fewer boats are going out due to wind and waves. Those who do manage to slip out (early mornings have been best) are catching a mixture of grass cod and Bolina rockfish, working the reefs and kelp edges. One halibut was reported to Ed Burrell at Capitola Boat and Bait, caught near Pleasure Point, and a few lings were in the mix as well. For pier anglers, Burrell notes an increase in perch and mackerel being caught from the deep end of the Capitola wharf.

The larger swells recently have the effect of sending halibut out to deeper water. Anglers were doing well three weeks ago in the 30-40 foot depths for flatties, but needed to fish 50-70 feet for success this past week. Kayak fisherman Deva Mercado worked the edge of Black's Point in 50 feet of water on Memorial Day for one legal halibut, caught on a blue and green MegaBait. Mercado also picked up a few black rockfish for his efforts. Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine still has fresh squid at the shop and it's working well for halibut out by the Mile Buoy. Fraser and friends caught six nice flatties on Monday, and four Tuesday, all on fresh-dead squid. He says the bite comes on in the afternoon, as the wind picks up.

Fraser adds the salmon fishing is still pretty slow, though a few are caught every day, mostly near the Soquel Hole. Fraser also reminds us that bass are still in the mix, with stripers being caught near Pajaro and Manresa Beaches at dawn and dusk.