Monterey Bay anglers enjoyed mild conditions last week, and it looks like the pleasant weather and easy seas will continue through the coming weekend. Starting from the southern end of the bay this week, free divers have reported spearing big red rockfish and hunkered lingcod from the rocky areas near Carmel and Pescador Point. Visibility remains good in that area and the fish are numerous. Rockfish season is closed for boat based anglers, but divers and shore anglers can target and keep these fish according to Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations.

Chris’ Fishing Trips were on a roll last week, with parties ranging from six to 17 anglers fishing from the Caroline. The boat has averaged nearly 50 Dungeness crab per trip, and so many sanddabs that they stopped counting, merely reporting “buckets of sanddabs.”

Capitola anglers are soaking crab pots overnight in 70-100 feet of water, and are bringing home enough Dungeness for dinner, if not full limits. On the stretch of nearshore waters from Pleasure Point to Lighthouse Point, we are seeing an increasing amount of sardines, jacksmelt and small anchovy bait fish. Water temperatures on the inside look to be around 58 degrees, with some pockets nearing 60 degrees. This is unusually warm for this time of year, and might account for the steady catch of halibut reported of the past few weeks.

Typically the halibut don’t start moving in to waters shallower than 80 feet until March or April, sometimes May. Since December, Bayside Marine owner Todd Fraser has reported flatties caught on nearly a weekly basis. This week he reports, “There have been a few halibut caught near the Mile Buoy and in Capitola.” A large halibut was also reported caught from the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf this week, somewhere in the 20-plus pound category.

The mainstay for active anglers all around the bay remains surfcasting for perch. Reports vary from day to day, but all beaches from Sand City to Davenport Landing can produce big barred surfperch (BSP) right now. Beaches closer to Moss Landing might also provide a bonus striped bass, as young Thomas Westfall discovered last weekend. After boogie boarding near Manresa Beach, Westfall pulled out his light perch gear, looking for some BSP’s.

A hefty striper grabbed his perch grub instead, and the fight was on. Thomas’ father Todd related, “I saw him wading out into the shore break from down the beach, sprinted to help him but he had it in by the time I reached him. He let this one go, but took home 5 10"+ perch and fed his family dinner.” Big fish honors this week to 10-year old Thomas Westfall!