Inshore waters are warming up, and most species are on the bite. Offshore conditions allowed for only a couple of good tuna fishing days before the winds kicked up again, but the weather forecast suggests anglers will be back on the albacore grounds after the weekend.

Fishing for rock cod can still be categorized as "amazing." Rocky areas just outside the Santa Cruz harbor continue to kick out limits of hefty black rockfish, with a smattering of bolinas and vermillion in the mix. The West Cliff area up to Wilder's Ranch has been providing quick limits of quality rockfish from the 80-120 foot depths. Captain Jimmy Charters has been fishing that area daily and seeing a good number of yellowtail, blacks and blue rockfish as well as the occasional ling. Near Capitola, the cod are being pulled from the kelp beds, including the Sponge Bob buoy area. Deeper reefs such as the Mile Reef and Adams Reef are also producing limits for many anglers.

In between the reefs on flat sandy areas, halibut are on the bite as well. Live bait is always best. The week's reports included tales of halibut success using live smelt, kingfish or anchovies as well as casting swim baits in shallow waters. Flatties were found as shallow in as shallow as 25 feet and the bounce-ball trollers are still doing well from the Cement Ship down to Pajaro, fishing a little deeper from 60-100 feet of water.

Albacore fishing turned on for a few days in the offshore waters. While the bite was located nearly 60 miles away to the southwest last week, this week anglers found more tuna to the northwest, and much closer to home. Boat that headed up towards the 601 buoy and the Guide seamount ran across good water about 30 miles from the harbor. Depending on the day, and the location, some boats were able to score up to thirty big albacore tuna, mostly on the troll. On Tuesday, Todd Fraser reported "The albacore anglers spread out today and some were zeros while others were heroes. The scores ranged from 0-15 fish a boat. The fish were caught in the morning around 36'51/122'32 up to 36'59/122'39. There was a decent bite around 37'06/122'38 in the afternoon. There were some boats who fished from 36'30/123'06 to 36'35/122'40 who caught a few fish. The moon phase may be a factor or the fish are on the move."

And, yes, salmon are still being caught at the north end of the Santa Cruz harbor. Remember to pay attention to designated fishing areas, and even-numbered days are for kids only. If trolling for salmon, a few fish were caught near the Soquel Hole this week, and a few more reported by anglers fishing shallow water from Capitola to Lighthouse Point.

Pictured Above: Yes there are still some salmon around! mark Davis with a chrome beauty caught on Tuesday.