Rockfish limits for the most of the charter boats in Monterey tis week. Sunday's voyage aboard the Check Mate resulted in 330 rockfish plus 15 lings for the 33 anglers aboard. J&M sent 20 anglers out on the Kahuna. Everyone got their limits of cod with four lingcod as a bonus. Charter operations from Santa Cruz had similar results at the north end of Monterey Bay. Kenny Stagnaro's Legacy trip on Saturday counted full limits of quality rockfish from north coast reefs not far from Santa Cruz. Captain JT Thomas from Go Fish Santa Cruz reported catching limits of vermilion, widows and canaries as they fished deep this weekend. Skipper Rodney Armstrong from Santa Cruz Coastal Fishing Charters remains stoked on the quantity and quality of rockfish available in the Santa Cruz area right now, especially after CDFW re-opened the deep water areas for bottom fishing. Armstrong said, "The fishing remains really good. We have been fishing both near shore and in the deep. We have had limits of rock fish every trip. One trip we ended up with five lings. We can fish what ever depth we want until the ended of the year."

Anyone who takes a look at the ocean these days can see evidence of the vast amount of bait we have in the bay right now, both offshore and close to the beach. Most of the bait are anchovies, though a mix of bigger sardines, mackerel and smelt are contributing to the wild feeding events. Squid spawns continue to pop up here and there all the way across the bay. It is an ongoing feeding frenzy, sort of like a giant "All You Can Eat" buffet for gulls, terns, pelicans, shearwaters, cormorants, sea lions, harbor seals, dolphins and even a good number of humpback whales. The big feeding events are easily visible from shore. And remember, the feeding extends well offshore all across the bay right now. Ed Burrell from Capitola Boat and Bait also reported big herring are being caught off the Capitola Wharf, with anchovies in the vicinity as well.

Todd Fraser, owner of Bayside Marine in Santa Cruz reported some nice rockfish and halibut caught further north near Ano Nuevo this week, despite a strong south swell. Fraser added that a few boats continue the tuna hunt out in the middle of the bay, with a small number of bluefin tua caught from the "Fingers" area near Davenport. Ron Martin, who also works at Bayside, took a different tack this week. A dedicated surfcaster, Martin headed over the hill to fish striper with a local expert at San Luis Reservoir. Martin reported, "We had a great day at San Luis Reservoir. I fished there Monday with my buddy Brian Friesen. We caught 27 Stripers. I caught the big fish. We released all the fish. We chartered with Guide Roger George. The fish were caught trolling Lucky Craft stick baits and yo-yoing big chrome spoons off the bottom. Great weather and flat glassy conditions made for a perfect day.”