Anyone who got within a block of the ocean since Monday knows there is a "high-energy" swell hitting the coast right now. Forecasters predict wave size will continue dropping over the weekend, so good conditions can resume for some quality fishing again. During a big swell, fish have a tendency to hunker down and the bite slows. Prior to these big waves, last weekend provided very good fishing especially from the West Cliff reefs and further up the coast, and the corresponding rocky structures below Monterey towards Big Sur.

The Kahuna out of Moss Landing found limits of lingcod during their first two stops Sunday, and went on to fill the rockfish limits as well for their 28 clients. Chris' Sportfishing out of Monterey has zeroed in on the lings as well. Heading around the corner towards Pt. Sur, Chris Arcaleo reported six, 12, 21 and 30 lingcod on various trips last week, and half to full limits of rockfish.

Santa Cruz enjoyed outstandingly beautiful weather and conditions on Sunday. It was nearly perfect for the "Return to the Roots" kayak fishing derby. Sponsored by the Kayak Connection, Ocean Kayaks and Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing guide service, the Derby was resurrected by Kayak Connection owners Jessica and Dave Grigsby after a hiatus of five years.

Photos:
Pictured Above: Mike Peters from Elk Grove won the Kayak Connection "Roots" Derby with this 11-pound 6-ounce ling.
Photo #1: Mike Peters hoists his derby-winning lingcod caught near the Santa Cruz Mile Buoy on Sunday.

The contest attracted 48 entrants who fanned out on their fishing kayaks from the Santa Cruz Small Craft harbor at 7am Sunday. Most everyone found secret reef # Four (just outside the Mile Buoy). And, that's where Mike Peters, pictured above & in Photo #1 from Elk Grove hooked the winning lingcod. Peters was jigging a red Big Hammer swimbait from his venerable Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 when he hooked the big ling. The 11-pound six-ounce fish netted Peters a brand-new Old Town Predator 13 fishing kayak for first prize.

Second place went to Nathan Tsuji from Aptos. Tsuji gambled and won, targeting halibut and being rewarded with an eight-pound nine-ounce flatty from the Lighthouse Point area. He was rewarded with a high quality Werner carbon paddle. Third place was taken by another lingcod, an eight-pound three-ounce fish caught by local angler Jim Goscininski, who took home a new PFD for his win. All proceeds from the Roots Derby are donated to the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project to support efforts at salmon and steelhead restoration in the Monterey Bay area.

Tuna fishing is still a distinct possibility. Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine tracks conditions closely. "There were some good scores of albacore down near Point Sur and offshore from there. The wind is up on the albacore grounds for a few more days so we will keep you posted." The warm water breaks to the north are still holding tuna as well. While we received no reports from Half Moon Bay or the San Francisco fleet, Rick Powers from Bodega Bay traveled 40 miles on Monday, catching 50 fish for seven clients on his New Sea Angler.