We're moving into the fall fishing pattern now, and there is plenty out there to catch.

Albacore fishing slowed as the winds increased last week. Thursday provided some decent scores for anglers fishing 50-60 miles offshore, near the Guide Seamount. Since then the wind has kept most Santa Cruz boats inshore, though a few half Moon Bay boats braved the conditions and picked up tuna in that area. The warm water currents are still strong offshore and the wind is forecast to lighten up by Saturday. Hopefully our local tuna hunters will get another chance at the albacore this weekend.

Salmon fishing has picked up in the Soquel Hole area. Todd Fraser from Bayside Marine believes these fish are "resident salmon," likely the result of hatchery efforts from the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project. MBST releases hundreds of thousands of juvenile salmon each year from the Harbor area in Santa Cruz. These fish return to the area but are unable to spawn. Many believe they take up residence in the Soquel Hole area. No matter what their origin, these fish are here now and are biting. Fraser recommends trolling blue Kajikis or bait down 125-250 feet in 200-300 feet of water. "It is good fishing for the Late season," says Fraser.

Halibut fishing was a bit slow this week, with a few fish caught off the North Coast Beaches and one or two reported off the beaches near Santa Cruz. The groundswells this week have probably put halibut off the bite. Reports of squid schools in the bay raise hopes for halibut anglers that the bite will resume as the recent swell drops and the water clears up.

Ed Burrell at Capitola Boat and Bait is happy to report the white sea bass bite continues in that area. "The commercial guys came in with 10 sea bass on Wednesday and eight on Tuesday." Burrell recommends using sardines or mackerel as bait for these big, tasty fish. Burrell adds that a few thresher sharks were caught near the Santa Cruz Harbor in 40-50 feet of water by anglers using live anchovies as bait.

Rockfishing remains consistent along West Cliff reefs and off the North Coast. The best fishing spot all season has been Ano Nuevo, but it will be closing soon as the Marine Protected Area implementation is due to begin on September 21.

Congratulations go to Theodore Kremer for winning the annual Begonia Festival fishing tournament. Sponsored by the Capitola Chamber of Commerce and Capitola Boat and Bait, Kremer won the tourney with a beautiful perch this year.