Steelhead trapping continues at the Felton Diversion Dam thanks to the Santa Cruz Water Department, who allow the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout project facility use during this critical spawning period. The recent rains spurred the movement of more fish upriver, ensuring a robust breeding program for 2012.

In other salmonid news, everyone is on the edge of their seats waiting for salmon season to begin. Though the exact date won't be announced until next week, most of those in the know expect an April 7 opener. And, there are fish out there. Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine continues to field repots of king salmon as unintentional by catch by sanddabbers working near the Soquel Hole. If the salmon are biting on sabiki rigs, imagine what they'll do to whole anchovies or trolled hoochies behind a flasher.

The local sport charter boats are taking signups now for salmon trips in April. Captain Jimmy Charters, Reel Sportfishing and Stagnaro's Sportfishing all operate from the Santa Cruz Harbor, while the Kahuna, Chris' Sportfishing or Randy's Sportfishing can get you and your party out for an affordable salmon run from Moss Landing or Monterey. Carl Azevedo from Boccie Boy Bait is tracking bait near the deep marine canyons. "We aren't seeing the huge schools, but plenty of smaller schools of bait out there. Mostly anchovies, we're still waiting for the sardines to show up."

Though it's still early, while we wait for salmon season to start it might be worthwhile to go for halibut. Ed Burrell at Capitola Boat and Bait reported a nice 16-pound flatty caught between the "Sponge Bob" buoy and Mile Reef area this week, and Fraser at Bayside says a few flatties are being picked up straight out of the harbor in deeper water, around 130 feet.

Surfcasting remains an enjoyable alternative. We have a good series of sandbars built up from all the big-wave action this winter. Look for the rip currents, or brown discolored water, and you are likely to find barred surfperch or calicos ready to bite on your motor-oil grub, or GULP sand worm. Local Caster Deva Mercado enjoyed a sunset session off the east harbor jetty on Sunday, catching and releasing multiple BSP's, while working a little rip next to the rocks. Just don't bonk the surfers with your egg weight while they shred the little "A" frame waves breaking there.