Big waves continued to roll in from the west last week, which kept the inshore fishing slower than most anglers would prefer. Those who worked the deeper reefs, even the reefs close to town, were rewarded with good catches of rockcod, and an increasing number of lingcod. One ling was even reported caught from the Santa Cruz Wharf. The lingcod move in shallow this time of year for spawning. Ken Stagnaro, skipper of the Velocity, calls the codfishing "solid on the local reefs." Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine adds the rockfish and lingcod bite remains steady up the coast with a few halibut in the mix from flat sandy areas near Three-Mile and Four-Mile Beaches.

Warm water currents continue to push closer to Santa Cruz, and more boats are making it out to the tuna grounds. Fraser noted on Tuesday an area only 46 miles from Santa Cruz was holding the long-fin tuna. Local anglers caught as many as 20 tuna in that spot before the winds came up. Earlier in the week, Ken and Tom Kaysen hit their tuna spot below Monterey. Onboard the 21-foot Tuff Boat were long-time Santa Cruz fishermen Jack Teresi and Donny Carniglia. Ken Kaysen was amazed. "Sunday was a dream day. Sun, moon, stars, and all that stuff lined up. A day you dream about, and it came true. (We fished) about eighteen miles off Sur, and about thirty five miles below Pinos." Kaysen and crew found perfectly calm conditions, balmy windless seas, and plenty of hungry albacore. With any luck this push of warm water will continue to move closer to Santa Cruz, and the indian summer conditions could make for a good few weeks of tuna fishing for the locals.

For the first time in many years, we experienced a decent salmon season this year. The season ended last Sunday, though a good number of fish are still rolling and leaping in the Santa Cruz Harbor. It may be tempting, but it is also very illegal to fish for these salmon at this time. Many thanks go to the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project and the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor for their ongoing efforts in releasing millions of salmon over the years from harbor net-pens.

An exciting new group has sprung up recently to advocate for the protection of our local salmon population. The Golden Gate Salmon Association (GSSA) includes in its mission statement- "(The) Golden Gate Salmon Association (GGSA) is made up of fishermen and environmentalists working together on behalf of the Central Valley salmon to protect its habitat, aid in its revival and recovery, and provide for its long-term sustainability as a recreational, commercial and cultural resource. Our partners are elected officials, regulatory agencies, as well as legal, educational, and outreach organizations."

Joe Donatini from Johnson Hicks Marine in Santa Cruz is taking the lead in the local GGSA efforts. Donatini has arranged an "Inaugural Membership Dinner" to be held at Portuguese Hall on Friday, October 14, 2011. The event will feature tons of door and raffle prizes, a special guest speaker, and of course, great food. Tickets are available at Johnson Hicks Marine at the Santa Cruz Harbor, or directly from the GSSA website: www.goldengatesalmonassociation.com.