We are seeing some changes in the broader aspects of weather and conditions related to fishing in the Monterey Bay. As a result, the patterns of our last few weeks are adjusting accordingly. The squid are getting harder to find, as are the white sea bass. Salmon fishing slowed down near Santa Cruz, while a hot bite was going on near Monterey. Over the past few days salmon fishing has picked up on our side of the Bay. And, in some very good late-breaking news, a few hardy souls made the long journey for rewards of the tuna kind.

Rockfishing remains very steady and productive. Boats are still working the local reefs from Capitola to Wilder's Ranch for limits of quality fish. Captain Jim Rubin has been getting early limits of blacks, olives and vermilions daily. Ken Stagnaro on the Velocity also reports consistent limits of big black rockfish, browns and gophers as well as the occasional vermilion and an increasing number of lingcod.

On his latest salmon trip last Saturday, Stagnaro reported nearly a fish per rod of wild king salmon, with numerous fish popping off the hook before reaching the net. Skipper Gerry Brookes worked the area south of Moss Landing on Tuesday for 6 nice salmon weighing up to 18 pounds. Brookes will stay on the hunt for kings as the fish are moving quickly these days. "This school of fish was small and I don't think its gonna be there long."

Meanwhile, the drift or "mooch" bite off Lover's Point in Monterey held up through the weekend with plenty of boats in the mix, including quite a few kayaks. Limits of fish were not uncommon for these moochers last weekend, as well as for the larger boats trolling around the corner near Point Joe.

White sea bass may be hard to find, as the awesome squid spawn dwindles. But, the same spawning area outside Capitola in 60 feet of water is pumping out halibut this week. Some of the flatties are in the 30-pound class, caught mostly on fresh or frozen squid. Ed Burrell from Capitola Boat and Bait reports "Everyone is getting halibut out near the Mile Reef. Some are big- 20 and even 30 pounds."

The offshore winds died down this week, and the deep-water currents are warming. With these conditions it only made sense that a few intrepid anglers would go on the hunt for albacore tuna. It was a long 50-mile trip for tuna with "The Dogbone" area near Point Sur producing 1-6 fish per boat. Boats that traveled 80 miles from Santa Cruz did better, catching "8-16 fish and rumors of 30," according to Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine.

Photo: Ed Burrell couldn't find the white sea bass on tuesday, but he settled for this fine pair of flatties.