Warm water and an abundance of bait have contributed to some epic fishing days on the Monterey Bay the past couple weeks. Lunging humpbacks, cruising pods of dolphins, diving pelicans and black flocks of shearwaters stretch for miles taking advantage of the feast. Below the sea surface a similar repast is occurring. Halibut, rockfish, lingcod, striped bass and salmon are numerous and very active right now. Fishing is good.

Rockfish limits have been common since the season opened in May. Limits are still the rule, though many boats are taking advantage of gentle sea conditions to travel north or south outside of Monterey Bay, where the fish are bigger and hit more quickly. Lingcod in particular are coming on the bite now. In Monterey, Chris' Fishing Trips' latest reports indicate full limits of lingcod for their anglers on Sunday and Monday this week. Scores were 50 lings on the Caroline, and 54 lingcod fishing from the Checkmate.

Ken Stagnaro from Stagnaro's Sportfishing in Santa Cruz submitted a similar report this week. "Cod fishing has been on the upswing this last week with our short trips getting near limits and several ling cod per trip. The longer seven-hour trip did well on both the six-pack boat and the public trip on Velocity. Last trip Velocity had limits of big yellows and browns with 31 lingcod up to 15 pounds. The average ling was 10 pounds! Sea Stag got limits of fish and four lings on the their three-man charter." Rockfishing is still very good near the Port of Monterey and off Pacific Grove, and in Santa Cruz from Capitola to Natural Bridges. White shrimp fly jigs tipped with squid will do the trick, but swimbaits are producing well and live bait will always get bit.

In the "more good news" category, Boccie Boy Bait has live anchovies available at the Santa Cruz Harbor at the end of "S" Dock. Owner Carl Azevedo has been netting big piles of quality five to six-inch anchovies, now curing in his receiver. Live bait is highly recommended for halibut fishing, and now is a good time to pursue the big flatfish. We have received reports of halibut success from Natural Bridges down to La Selva Beach in the past week, with a good number of halibut in the 25-30-pound class caught in 40-60 feet of water.

Salmon fishing has been more hit than miss this past week. Good scores, including boat limits, have been reported from Moss Landing and the Seaside area as well as the Soquel Hole. Trollers are getting fish more quickly, but moochers have a good shot when they key in on the massed anchovy bait balls. A few big salmon were reported caught from the west jetty of the Santa Cruz Harbor, by anglers using pink steelhead worms and a small egg sinker or splitshot, but the mass of fish has not yet entered the Harbor.

While the Santa Cruz Port Commission is deliberating fishing ordnances, a strict interpretation of current rules is in force. No fishing whatsoever is being allowed inside the harbor. Hopefully that will adjust when the Commission has their final vote on the matter on August 12. Your voice can still count towards preserving salmon fishing within the Santa Cruz Harbor. Please go to www.mbstp.org for email contact with your public comment in favor of Harbor fishing.

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