The weather and sea conditions were not the best this week, but most mornings proved to be quite fishable. Salmon are still the number one target, but rockfish season is now open, and an increasing number of halibut are moving in, opening up the near shore fishery.

Salmon anglers enjoyed a fairly steady bite over the past couple weeks. The schools of salmon went on the move last week, though. Some good reports came from our North Coast areas near Three Trees, and even off Natural Bridges in 250 feet of water. The charter boats from Half Moon Bay were getting limits above Pigeon Point, and it looked like the big schools were all heading that way. This week's wind created sloppy conditions along the Central and Northern California Coast, so most boats were waiting it out until things calm down.

In the meantime, a new school is turning the corner into Monterey Bay at Point Pinos. Sport boats reported quite a few limits early in the week, including Gerry Brookes from Reel Sportfishing on Monday. "Today we fished a new school of fish that moved into Monterey Bay. The quality of fish is great. We ran across the bay to the Monterey side and put in early limits for our 4 anglers, to 18 pounds. Its like it was for the opener on the Santa Cruz side. The weather was perfect." Charter boats from Monterey are fishing off the Hotel in Seaside and reporting about a fish per rod this week. On Thursday the locals located salmon near the Pajaro Hole. Todd Fraser from Bayside Marine reported, "some boats got limits, and the average was a good fish per rod."

Fraser threw out some halibut hints last week, and provided confirmation this week. The flat sandy areas in front of the harbor are holding halibut right now. 50-70 feet of water seems to be the best area to fish. Anglers are hooking the flatties using sardines, squid and FishTrap lures.

Rockfish are also on the menu after the May 1 opener Tuesday. Already, we are getting positive reports of browns and china rockfish near Capitola, browns and olive rockfish from South Rock and the Four Mile Beach area and nice lingcod off our North Coast and from Pleasure Point.

In other news, Chris Lauesen from the Pajaro Valley Rod and Gun Club reminds us about the May 6 "Kid's Fishing Derby" at Pinto Lake. "The derby is from 8:00 to noon and is open to all kids 12 and under. The DFG will be planting 2,000 pounds of trout for the kids, and the Pajaro Valley Lions Club will be providing free hot dogs and punch." Along with the trophies, the event includes a raffle and most kids bring home some sort of prize.