Summer fishing season is in full swing now. And, it is shaping up to be a very good season indeed. Despite the strong south swell that swept in this week, fishcounts remain high for a variety of species caught in the Monterey Bay. Things just keep getting better and better.

A local kayak angler capitalized on the proliferation of nearshore threshers this week, and provided some literal meaning to the term "smoking hot runs." Identified only as "Marc," the fisherman battled and landed a young thresher from the area near Pleasure Point last Friday. Caught with a live sardine on a single hook, reports on the weight of the shark vary from 30-60 pounds. It took over an hour for the kayak angler to land the fish all the while concerned his reel might burn out. "Never been towed like that, or seen my reel smoke before," he commented.

Our mainstay species are also on the bite. As the water warms and the bait comes in to the shallows, rockfish and halibut are becoming much more cooperative for local anglers. Jim Rubin from Captain Jimmy Sportfishing reported limits of rockfish by noon on Thursday, working the area near Ano Nuevo. "It's absolutely break-down gorgeous up here today," Rubin exclaimed when filing his report. Fishing next to Rubin was Gerry Brooks on the Doble. He had an almost identical report, full limits by noon, as well as nice limits on Wednesday from the same area of Vermillion, black and blue rockfish and a few lingcod for the boat. Halibut also remain on the bite. It is turning into one of our better halibut years. Rubin picked up two flatties for clients last week, and Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine reports weighing in "quite a few" halibut on Wednesday, including a limit from the Natural Bridges area that topped out with a 26-pounder.

Capitola Boat and bait have similar comments this week. Rockfish are biting on the local reefs near Capitola and Pleasure Point, and a number of halibut were brought in by boat there. Manager Ed Burrell reminds us that Saturday July 4 is another "Free Fishing Day." Sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Game, no one needs a fishing license this Saturday. It is a good time to bring the kids out to Capitola Wharf, as the bite is on for mackerel, smelt, jumbo sardines, and even the occasional legal halibut or striper caught from the wharf.

Most exciting, perhaps, are the offshore conditions. A series of well- defined water temperature breaks developed last week, some 30-60 miles offshore. This is the water that holds albacore tuna. As the winds died during the week, a few boats ventured out to the tuna grounds. High score reported was for the vessel Ultimate, which reported 14 tuna on board as of Wednesday. Captain Mike Baxter, our local albacore expert, is predicting good tuna fishing for this weekend due to the temperature breaks combined with mild offshore conditions. "It will be like a lake out there, with winds holding down to five knots, and a very small swell." He recommends anglers travel north towards the Guide Seamount or work the Sur Canyon area for albacore.