Hoo boy, the fishing is good in Monterey Bay right now, and seems to be getting better and better each week. Anglers around the bay were pleasantly surprised by a fresh salmon bite last week. Wednesday through Friday featured big numbers of big salmon from Monterey up to the Soquel Hole near Santa Cruz. The bite dropped off near Santa Cruz after the weekend, but Monterey boat did well fishing near Soldier’s Club early in the week. Bayside Marine’s Todd Fraser keeps a close eye on the salmon action in the bay and reported on Wednesday, “Salmon fishing was decent the last few days with some fish being caught near the Soquel Hole and Three Trees in 170-250 feet of water. The bite was good today for some anglers who fished near Soldiers Club in 220 feet of water. The majority of the salmon are being caught near the bottom but there have been a few in the 100-150 foot range.”

Chris’ Fishing Trips in Monterey posted limits of rockfish and up to 15 lingcod on their rockfish trips this week. Their best salmon outing came home with 11 kings for 15 anglers, and the fish were “20-pounders.” Kahuna Sportfishing from Moss Landing caught 13 salmon for 15 anglers on Friday, with the biggest going 24-pounds. Kahuna’s rockfish trips for the week resulted in limits for all aboard on every trip and up to seven lings to fatten the bags. Stagnaro’s Sportfishing from Santa Cruz reported on Monday, “The seven-hour cod trip today came in with 99 rock fish for 11 people, plus four lings. Sunday’s North Coast trip caught limits of nice quality rock fish and 12 keeper lingcod. Half-day trips on Legacy have been catching limits consistently over the last few weeks, fishing the local reefs.”

Go Fish Santa Cruz skippered by John (JT) Thomas is taking maximum advantage of the wide variety of sportfish available near Santa Cruz right now. Tuesday and Wednesday’s trips are an example. This is the report from Go Fish CEO Beth Norton, “July 14th- Our clients wanted to fish for Halibut. Captain JT and Deck Hand JP took them south of Santa Cruz where they caught limits of yummy Halibut – twelve of them. July 15th- JT and Deckhand JP checked the weather and wind conditions today and decided to take the clients to fish at Franklin Point. The clients caught limits of a variety of quality rock fish including vermillion, chinas, gophers, browns BIG blacks, blues and nice ling cods. The dolphins where out to put on a show for everyone. “

Hats are off to local kayak angler Tom Teaford from Santa Cruz. Teaford is a dedicated kayak angler who is known for long paddles and long days on the water. He surprised even himself Tuesday when he hooked and landed a full limit of halibut while fishing near Santa Cruz. “Three miles, three hours and three flatties!” He reported, then added these details, “The tourist halibut are in town! 27, 28, 24.5" all in about 15 mins of actual hooks-in-water time! (The rest of 45 minutes was fish rasslin' time.)  Glow off-white hoochie, Danielson silver dodger at 40 feet of water. Tried 1-1/2 hours drifting squid for nothing but little bait thieves that didn't get hooked. Glassy smooth, cool, drizzle, no swell, fog not down on deck. First limit ever! Tons of bait on the fishfinder!”