This week's weather wasn't particularly cooperative with local anglers. Blustery afternoon winds and some choppy conditions made fishing difficult. Most mornings were very fishable however, and the incredible abundance of life in Monterey Bay ensured very good results for a number of local anglers.


As usual, the story starts with bait. We have tons of bait in the bay right now, including squid, sardines, anchovies and mackerel. Huge flocks of seabirds are feeding near the shoreline and humpback whales can be viewed in the shallows amid diving birds. Of course, where little fish go, big fish will follow.


Our normal species have maintained a consistently good bite. Jim Rubin from Captain Jimmy Charters continues to load limits of rockfish and a good number of lings on the Becky Ann. "Today we had a private charter with five anglers who landed limits (50fish) of nice Rock Fish." Rubin said on Sunday. "They also landed three nice lingcod from six-17 pounds! The water was bumpy but the fish were biting like crazy up the coast. We landed some big bolinas today at about five pounds and nice blacks, yellowtail and vermillion as well."


One advantage of larger charter boats is the ability to comfortably fish in bumpy conditions and wind. Stagnaro Sportfishing's Velocity has been trekking to a reefy area off Davenport, in 80 feet of water. Skipper Ken Stagnaro says "On Tuesday we scored 17 Lings to 14 pounds and 3/4 limits of really nice Cod for 10 people. We're seeing good quality brown rockfish as well as yellows and blues."


Most exciting is the not-so-secret white sea bass bite centered near Capitola right now. Ed Burrell at Capitola Boat and Bait has been weighing in multiple sea bass on a daily basis for the past week. The fish are of the smaller variety, though some weigh in the 25-pound range. White sea bass are following the squid; so use squid as bait for these delicious juggernaut fish. Minimum size is 28 inches and the daily bag limit is three fish. Burrell has reported a few limits caught from the Mile Buoy down to the Cement Ship area.


And, to top things off, it looks like salmon is back on the menu as well. Last week we had a few fish reported as entering the Bay near Monterey. Dave Hurley reported the bite from the Port of Monterey. "Chris Arcoleo at Chris's Landing in Monterey reported salmon have moved back into the area, and they landed nine salmon to 33 pounds on Monday with all fish but one ranging from 18-pound upward. They lost several fish in the process, as the fish are both 'big and wild.' They lost another fish on Monday when a loosely spooled reel of braided line got stuck inside itself when a big fish was trying to run. Pop!"


If that's not enough, the Santa Cruz Harbor announced a fishing derby for this weekend. "In celebration of the harbor's 50th anniversary, the Santa Cruz Port District and Bayside Marine will host a free fishing derby for all ages on Sunday, June 22, 2014. Prizes will be awarded in various categories, so come down and enjoy the fun! Registration will take place on the day of the derby between 5 AM - 9 AM at Bayside Marine or the Harbor Launch Ramp. Participants wishing to pre-register may do so by contacting the harbor office at (831) 475-6161. www.santacruzharbor.org


Bushnell can also be heard on The Let's Go Fishing Radio Show Thursdays at 8 p.m. on KSCO radio 1080 AM. Send your photos, comments or questions to scruzfishing@yahoo.com