Mild weather and king tides this week have made for superior perch fishing along the beaches of Monterey Bay. This winter's west and northwest swells have created well-defined structure on the sandy beaches, especially those below Rio Del Mar.

It has been an exceptional year for barred surfperch along the beaches, and the good fishing should last for the next couple months at least. While most anglers agree the hours just prior to and just after high tide is the best time for perching, some anglers have reported good catches of barred perch in the 14-15-inch range even at low tide. Plenty of surfcasters are out practicing for the Sand Crab Classic Perch Derby, which is scheduled for March 14th. Entries are still available for the annual perch derby, which benefits the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project. For more information and online derby entries, go to www.sandcrabclassic.com. Entry forms are also available at Bayside Marine in the Santa Cruz Harbor.

Fly fishing enthusiasts can check out the Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show this weekend at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. The show runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday and features tackle, gear and accessories as well as casting and fly-tying demonstrations by such notables as Hal Janssen, Wendy Gunn, Dan Blanton, Jay Murakashi Nick Curcione and Gary Borger.

Noted author and guide JD Richey is gearing up early for delta striper season. JD gives this heads up "This is going to be an early striper season on the Delta and Sacramento River System. With water temps already hitting 57 degrees during this heat spell, everything is going to be happening way before normal. March and early April is going to be the main time period, so if you want to get in on my light tackle topwater/swimbait/spooning trips, err on the side of sooner than later. Normally all of April is prime...and there will probably still be fish around then...but I'd bump up your trip a bit if you can."

Meanwhile, we still have plenty going on right here on Monterey Bay. Dungeness crab is slowing down a bit, but crabbers who work for it are still getting limits or near limits from their pots in 220-300 feet of water. The sand dab and mackerel bite remains hot and heavy from the port of Monterey, with Chris' Fishing Trips reporting "Lots of sanddab, lots of mackerel," and about ?? limits of Dungeness for their weekend party boat trips aboard the Check Mate.

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