The 'dabs can be found just about anywhere in Monterey Bay where the water is deeper that 100 or 120 feet. The small flatfish congregate in sandy areas, and if you catch one, there are likely plenty more available. Stagnaro's Sportfishing has a preferred spot for sand dabs over near the edge of the Soquel Hole. Skipper Ken Stagnaro finds the larger dabs in that area, to his customers' benefit. On last Saturday's trip, Stagnaro counted 600 snd dabs caught for 20 customers aboard the Velocity. That's 30 fish each. Two or three of the sandabs make a very good meal. The same area is holding roving schools of mackerel, not quite as good eating, but plenty fun to catch.

Jim Rubin from Captain Jimmy Sportfishing can accommodate a maximum of six anglers on the Becky Ann. On Sunday he carried only four clients. They picked up 24 Dungeness Crab (limits), and then fished up 300 "quality" sandabs. Yes, that's 50 fish each. Fishing and catching is never a "sure thing," but wintertime "sandabbin" in the Monterey Bay is about as close as you can get.

With rain forecast for the next few days, this coming weekend's best destination might be the annual International Sportsman's Exposition held on the State Fairgrounds in Sacramento. This is the biggest outdoor expo in Northern California. The ISE features retailers, outfitters and guides for both fresh and saltwater fishing, as well as hunting, camping and boating specialties and other outdoor interests.

While at the ISE, be sure to stop by the Water 4 Fish booth and sign their petition to help protect our fisheries. This grassroots group is dedicated to Sacramento Delta restoration and they are a growing force in the perennial "water wars" in California. For those who can't make it to the ISE show, check www.water4fish.org for complete information about the salmon and steelhead crisis in California, and what we can do to help.