Weather and sea conditions are still somewhat challenging for local anglers along the Monterey Bay. Happily, most mornings are calm and very fishable. And, one need not travel far for some trophy-class fishing.

The school of salmon that rounded the corner near Point Pinos last week have jumped the ditch, traveling across the Monterey Bay Marine Canyon, and are biting now just offshore from Santa Cruz. "The fish are spread out from the Mile Buoy area up to Natural Bridges," said Tommy Dempski, skipper of the Polish Jig. "These are wild fish, with a lot of shakers and a few silver salmon in the mix. Plenty of 20-plus pounders, too. We boated three fish over 20 before 10 am this morning," Dempski reported on Tuesday.

Chris' Fishing Trips in Monterey found some big salmon on Sunday, but the school up and left by Monday. Moss Landing's Kahuna Sportfishing is sending their boat towards Santa Cruz to chase the salmon that are biting in 100-120 feet of water and from 30-70 feet down. Trolling bait, spoons or hoochies is the most productive method for this spot of fish, though mooching can work when you find a good concentration of fish. Todd Fraser from Bayside Marine reports good bites near the Harbor, Mitchell's cove and Natural Bridges on different days of this week, and also warns boaters to watch out for crab pots in the area. Don't foul your lines, or lose your downrigger weights.

The mysterious white sea bass are still around though hooking up on one is getting more difficult. Anglers fishing Capitola from the SC3 Buoy down past the cement ship are still getting a few of the big croakers fishing squid on the bottom or on a flyline. Live squid always works the best, and it's worth the time and effort to jig some up if you plan to pursue white sea bass. A good number of halibut are in that flat sandy area as well. Most anglers fishing for seabass are more than happy to accept a big flatty as a consolation prize, or better, in addition to a sea bass or two.

Ed Burrell at Capitola Boat and Bait has recorded a steady stream of halibut coming back to the dock, caught from the Mile Reef area, on down to the Cement Ship in 50-60 feet of water most often. Rockfish and lingcod are still on the bite in that area, as well as further up the coast by Lighthouse Point and the West Cliff area.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast, and be ready to run for the harbor when the wind switches mid-morning. We don't have to go far for quality fish this week, but the seas can be nasty in the afternoons.

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