The Department of Fish and Game regulations for this season are the same as last. Anglers cannot keep any silver salmon that may be caught. King salmon have a minimum size of 20 inches total length, and can only be taken by angling. Weights cannot exceed four pounds when attached directly to the fishing line. Trollers can use a maximum of two single barbless hooks, and anglers drifting bait must use barbless circle hooks.

Jim Rubin from Captain Jimmy Charters has been out on the salmon grounds often in the past few weeks, while tending his crab pots. He reports cool dark water at the Soquel Hole and above town near Three Trees and Davenport. "I'm seeing good bait balls in both areas, with lots of plankton in the water. The Three Trees area has krill in the water with a good number of whales feeding." All these elements can contribute to good salmon fishing. Most persuasive, however are the reports of incidental fish caught. A number of anglers have been fishing for mackerel from Soquel Hole to Moss Landing, and they are unintentionally catching salmon besides. All salmon need be released prior to the opener, but as an indicator for the upcoming season, this fact has to be the best.

At the Capitola Wharf, Ed Burrell has similar reports of humpback and grey whales, as well as haystacks of anchovies in the deeper areas near Soquel Hole. Burrell says the bait has moved offshore again this week, but inshore fishing remains consistent. "The perch fishing is good from the wharf right now," Burrell says. "We've seen walleyes, rainbows, and some nice black perch this week." Eric McGee caught a nine-pound striper from the Capitola Jetty this week, using a swimbait, and at least one striper was pulled in from the wharf over the weekend. Most of the striper action has been further east, according to Burrell, from Capitola down to the Rio Del Mar area.

In the meantime, mackerel and sand dabs are very available in Monterey Bay, especially on the Monterey side. Chris' fishing Trips from Fisherman's Wharf sent out the Caroline on Tuesday. The nine anglers aboard returned with 360 sandabs and 180 mackerel.