We have enjoyed beautiful weather on Monterey Bay this past week. Despite a few days of big swells, fishing has remained consistent for most available species, and is improving for others.

Local charter boats are concentrating on gourmet items right now. Most skippers offer "crabs and 'dabs" combo trips, pulling their pots full of Dungeness crab, and filling up buckets with tasty sand dabs. Stagnaro's Sportfishing in Santa Cruz, and Chris' Sportfishing in Monterey offer a very economical opportunity to get out on the water and return with a feast.

Jim Rubin from Captain Jimmy Charters is doing much the same. With a smaller and faster six-pack boat, Rubin can go looking for trophy sand dabs. "Plate-sized sanddabs are a delicacy in restaurants on the West Coast. Captain Jimmy Charters will not stay local. We travel down to the edge of the canyon to catch big quality sanddabs. How many do you want? Well, we have five-gallon buckets that we will fill until you are satisfied. Upon returning the 'dabs will be cleaned they and ready to cook!"

Though direct reports are scarce, perch fishing is improving as structure develops on the beaches south of Capitola. The most promising reports come from the Monterey side of the bay. Reader Alex Velasquez came home with limits of good-sized barred surfperch last week. "We had to hike a ways down the beach, but the walk was worth it. We found nice holes to fish on the outgoing tide, and got quick limits using motor-oil grubs."

Mark your calendars. The Santa Cruz Fly Fishermen club is hosting their annual fundraiser January 25, at the Peace United Church 900 High Street. SCFF President Steve Rudzinski invites one and all. Rudzinski says, "Tickets are $30, and are available at Anglers Choice (on 41st Avenue). There will be lots of gourmet food in an "all you can eat help yourself" format. The raffle features hundreds of fishing related items including graphite rods (some custom made by members), reels, float tubes, fins, lines of all kinds, clothing, fishing trips with guides, fishing on the bay trips and more."

Steelhead season is not looking good except for the bigger rivers to the far north. Local streams are critically low on water as is the American River in Sacramento. Famed fishing guide JD Richey is supporting efforts towards and emergency closure of the American for steelhead fishing this year. "Its like poaching, the water's just too low. I've cancelled all my American River trips for the year. Other scientists and activists are concerned about anglers trampling the existing salmon redds or nests, that currently nurture developing eggs.

Allen Bushnell can also be heard on KSCO radio 1080 AM Fridays at 6:45 a.m. with a fish report. Contact Bushnell at [email protected]