Hopefully, this week's rain will put a dent in the drought conditions we've been stuck with. With some additional luck the high pressure system that has hovered over Central California will not re-form, which would leave the storm track open for additional rain. Local streams are currently very low and clear. Though steelhead season remains open in the area, no reports of steelhead catches have been forwarded.

Northern California has experienced a little more precipitation, and the bigger rivers continue to be fishable. This week's rain will only improve the situation, though the rivers may take a few days to clear a bit and come into shape. This week it rained north of Garberville, and the Mad River saw a new influx of steelhead that has anglers excited in the Arcata area, according to Gary Blasi from Mad River Tackle.

On our local salt, Chris' Fishing Trips in Monterey continue to send out cookie-cutter fishing reports. "Lots of sanddab, lots of mackerel and limits (114) Dungeness Crab for 19 Anglers on the Check Mate." Yes, sand dabs are small, but catch a bucket full, and you are feeding the whole neighborhood what is considered a delicacy in the fancy restaraunts. And, who can argue with limits of Dungeness Crab? The mackerel are a mix of greenback and Spanish mackerel, with the greenies being perfect bait size fish, while the Spanish are much larger.

Ocean Kayak Fishing Pro Allen Sansano launched at the Coast Guard pier Sunday. Using a #10 sabiki on an ultralight trout rod, Sansano had a blast catching the energetic Spanish macks, pulling up to four at a time from the Cannery Row area, in 110 feet of water. He reported "I went home with 26 macks and 4 large 'dines. We were out there less than three hours. I bled them then into an ice slush. Treated them like I am going to eat them and I will, but some will magically turn into crab. Oh, and there will be saba! Try this variation, courtesy of my Filipino roots. After marinating in vinegar and garlic, at least 3 hours, preferably overnight then fry it! Serve with rice. That was my dinner!"

Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine in the Santa Cruz Harbor checked in as well with positive news. "The weather has been nice for sanddab and crab fishing. The crab fishing has picked up straight out of the Harbor. Bonita are still being caught in 60-110 feet of water near Pleasure Point. The surf perch fishing has been great near Manresa and 26th Avenue." Surf perching actually remains very good, most days, and from most beaches. Even the Twin Lakes and Seabright Beaches have been producing consistently for anglers using shrimp bits, GULP Camo Worms or the tried and true Motor Oil Red Flake two-inch grubs on a Carolina rig. Most of the surfperch are barred variety, though a few calicos have been seen as well.

For the larger perch, deep-water rocky spots up the coast can provide blacks and striped perch. Ed Burrell at Capitola Boat and Bait also reports an increase in blacks and walleye perch coming over the rail at the Capitola Wharf. Some skiff anglers are finding big black perch near the Capitola Mile Reef as well. Most of these sea perch are best caught using bait, with shrimp bits being most successful.

Send your photos, comments or questions to scruzfishing@yahoo.com