Monterey Bay anglers got a double-whammy last weekend, with a southern hemisphere swell followed closely by a hurricane swell from Baja, Mexico. When powerful south swells like these roll through, the fish have a tendency to hunker down and go off the bite. Such was the case this weekend, to the dismay of 70 kayak anglers who gathered for the Annual Kayak Connection Fishing Derby on Sunday. This was by far the biggest turnout for the KC Derby, which has been running most years since 2001.


Despite the generally slow fishing a number of notable catches were made for the contest. First place winner Keith Nguyen used a fresh-caught anchovy on a circle hook to fool a shallow water salmon near the West Cliff reefs in 60 feet of water. Nguyen took home a brand-new Ocean Kayak Big Game II kayak for his eight-pound 14-ounce king, and has this tale to tell. "I saw a ledge and marked some bait moving over it. Right then, my pole goes TAP TAP TAP. I thought for sure it was probably a croaker messing with my anchovy, but it looked a little different. I slowly took my pole out of the holder and reeled in line. As my hook set itself, I felt the familiar salmon shakes. SALMON?? I was confused but as the fish surfaced I saw chrome!! SALMON!!! And FISH ON!"


Second place was captured by newcomer Terry Sauferer, with another shallow water salmon, this one going seven pounds and nine ounces. Ryan Bark followed closely for third place with his seven pound four ounce lingcod.


Kayak Connection owners Dave and Jessica Grigsby were happy to host the event and the following BBQ at their Lake Avenue shop. Dave Grigsby, an avid kayak angler himself reported "Kayak Connection had a great time this weekend and we're committed to supporting the kayak fishing community and the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project for many years past. A very special thanks to Mike Mowrey from Ocean Kayaks for donating the winning kayak and Werner Paddles for donating a Camano paddle to our second place winner! Thanks to Derbymiester, Travis Blymyer for all his hard work and dedication. Hope to see you all again next year! The BBQ was great, but the best part was being able to donate $2,000 to the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project."


As the ocean conditions settle down during this week, a good bet might be to pursue the shallow salmon off Santa Cruz. Rockfish will get back on the chew all over Monterey Bay, and don't forget the big halibut gathering off pocket beaches both north and south of Monterey Bay.


Send your reports and fishing photos to Bushnell at scruzfishing@yahoo.com.