Just in case you haven't noticed, we've had beautiful weather inshore, custom made for a day of fishing on the Bay. For Ken Stagnaro on the Velocity, it's business as usual (limits)- except the crowds are getting smaller and the fish are getting bigger. "Sunday we had limits of cod and 10 lings to 12 pounds for 15 people on the boat. We were fishing near Davenport. Chances are pretty good to get a big lingcod right now, and the weather is great!" The smaller charter boats from Santa Cruz continue to catch rockfish limits as well, and the lingcod count is going up for everyone.

Private boaters who know where to go can score big on the lingcod right now. Such was the case for local angler Joe Baxter Jr, who took his Dad and friends out near the 100-foot reefs just north of Santa Cruz. Using whole squid for bait, the quartet bagged full lingcod limits. "They're on the bite!" Baxter reports. Along that same 100-foot, or 16-fathom line from Natural Bridges down to Capitola, soaking whole squid or live bait can attract not only lingcod, but also the occasional late-season halibut. If you're really lucky, a white sea bass might pick up your bait and make a run for it.

Word is, the occasional sea bass have been caught outside Capitola, Santa Cruz, and the Wilder Ranch area, but the good squid spawn and real "bite" is a little further north, towards the Four-Mile and Five-Mile areas. Live or "fresh-dead" squid is still the best bait, and remember to give other anglers plenty of room on their drift. The sea bass are somewhat scattered, just look for the squid and find a nice open area for your own, private drift.

The warm albacore water remains as close as 40 miles offshore, but high winds and a building swell kept most local boats inside this week. The coming weekend might provide an opportunity for tuna fishing if the wind stays down. Albacore were reported south, off Point Sur as well as north of Santa Cruz late last week, so we know the warm currents are likely holding more tuna.

For a change of pace and if you don't mind a little drive, the striped bass bite is picking up in San Pablo Bay near Point San Pedro and point San Pablo. Steven Scott from San Rafael reports 25-fish mornings, with about a third of the fish making the keeper size of 18-inches. Scott practices catch-and-release for these "schoolie" stripers and advises fishing the heavier tidal currents for best results. Scott also recommends throwing chartreuse HairRaisers using light gear for the most productive (and fun) results.