Local steelheaders are getting stoked! The big winter storm that hit Northern California brought a much-needed increase in the flows of our Central Coast streams. Most remain muddy at this time, but when they clear, we'll have another chance at beautiful catch-and-release steelhead trout right in our own backyard. Reports have filtered in over the past few weeks from die-hards who have fished the San Lorenzo. The catch rate has been very low, with mostly 1/2 pounders and the occasional adult steelhead hooked. Our local streams allow fishing only on Wednesdays, weekends and holidays. Don't forget your steelhead card to remain within the Department of fish and Game regulations. Of course, serious steelhead anglers are heading north to fish. The Klamath, Trinity, Eel, Mad and Gualala Rivers have all shown good signs of steelhead the past few weeks, and should clear up soon after this latest rainstorm.

Meanwhile in the salt, crabs and 'dabs remain plentiful in nearby waters. The tasty Dungeness and gourmet sand dabs will be around for the next few months. Captain Jim Rubin reminds us that the Becky Ann boated 300 sand dabs on their last go-out, all in a space of two hours. The challenge is to pick the right day to go and get them.

This latest storm brought another gigantic swell with it that made transiting the Santa Cruz Harbor entrance a sometimes-dicey proposition. Harbor workers are dredging constantly, but the big swells pile up sand faster than the dredge can dig it out. Pay attention to reports generated by the Harbormaster's Office, and watch the weather and tide tables if you plan on launching while the waves are big. Remember, low tide can cause the entire harbor mouth to close out with big waves.

Perch fishing will improve once the waves die down as well, according to Ed Burrell at Capitola Boat and Bait. "We had a bit of a perch bite here before the storm," Burrell said. Fishing midway down the wharf, anglers were picking up mostly barred surfperch, with a good number of walleyes in the mix, and the occasional big black perch.

Surfcaster Ron Martin has been working the same beaches as last month, between Watsonville and Moss Landing for barred surfperch. "The big waves are changing the structure along the beaches. I've been doing about the same, not tons of fish, but they are all big ones." Martin casts artificial grubs or sandworms, and added that the "bait soakers" are probably doing a bit better while the big waves continue to wash in.