As we get closer to winter, the weather and ocean conditions make it more difficult to fish. Last week a low-pressure system from the northwest brought wind, rain and a large swell to our area, which hampered local efforts.

Ken Stagnaro from Stagnaro's Sportfishing braved the conditions on Saturday with a 30-person charter aboard. Despite the remnants of a lager swell, Stagnaro worked various reefs from Natural Bridges all the way to Franklin Point in San Mateo County to collect half limits of black, red and copper rockfish for his clients that day. On Sunday, the ocean was calmer. Stagnaro took the Velocity right to Franklin Point again and managed 3/4 limits and two lingcod for the 35 anglers aboard.

Fishing improved on Monday, according to Gerry Brookes from Reel Sportfishing. Working the same area between Ano Nuevo and Franklin Point, Brookes found nice limits of black and vermillion rockfish for his clients, as well as four lings weighing up to 15 pounds. "It was a perfect day on the ocean," said Brookes "light winds with a wide-open rockfish bite." A bonus for Brookes and his clients on Monday was the opportunity to observe a 14-foot Great White Shark feeding event.??

Fishing for perch is getting better from the Capitola Wharf, says Ed Burrell at Capitola Boat and Bait. "We saw barred perch and a red-tail perch this week, caught from the wharf. One halibut was hooked by a wharf angler using a swimbait this week, but shook the hook before getting netted." Burrell adds that his best fishing recently has been outside surfer's reef, where he caught a succession of brown rockfish and cabezone.

A highlight this weekend will be the Santa Cruz Harbor's "Tree to Sea Harborfest." The Santa Cruz Port District, the Arana Gulch Watershed Alliance and the Friends of the Harbor Group host this daylong open house community event. The celebration will feature over 25 events including boat rides, a sand sculpture contest, lighthouse tours and a pet parade. Most interesting for local anglers is the Big Fish Derby on Saturday.?? The Derby will feature categories for adults and children, and anglers can submit entries for beach-caught stripers and perch, or boat-caught tuna, halibut or lingcod. To enter the Derby, sign in at Bayside Marine, 333 Lake Avenue Santa Cruz (at the Harbor) from 6-7am on Saturday October 20.