Crabs and 'dabs take top billing for Santa Cruz anglers this week, though the going was tough due to wind and waves again.

Sand dabs are plentiful in the Monterey Bay, especially on the deeper sand flats. The best concentrations of larger 'dabs have been found in 200-300 feet of water, though we have received reports of sand dabs caught recently in water as shallow as 80 feet. Skipper Ken Stagnaro has found great success fishing the eastern edge of Soquel Hole recently for sand dabs by the bucketful. Last Saturday, Mike Baxter piloted the Velocity to that area with 19 anglers aboard Stagnaro's flagship. Baxter found the fishing challenging with a big swell and gusty winds. "Conditions were tough, but the clients were game," Baxter said. "We fished 260 feet of water but the sand dabs didn't bite as well, due to the swell. The big waves also stirred up schools of kingfish," which provided some additional action and helped to fill the bags. Baxter was impressed with a good number of humpback whales in the area, which he terms "a bit unusual" for this time of year. We should start seeing grey whales soon as they migrate along our coast, but the humpbacks are very early.

Capitola Boat and Bait continues to rent fishing skiffs for the season, though the floating dock is pulled for the winter. Ed Burrell agrees the fishing has slowed for sand dabs, but should pick up once the ocean flattens out. Pier anglers are starting to see some nice perch from the Capitola wharf, including a few blacks as well as "good sized" barred surfperch from the shallows, according to Burrell. Jacksmelt and kingfish are providing action towards the end of the wharf. Successful anglers are using sabikis and surf leaders tipped with squid bits for all these species.

Pulling crab pots is difficult with the big swells, but local crabbers continue to report good catches along our North Coast. 180-220 feet of water in the area north of Natural Bridges seems to be producing the best. The market price for Dungeness dropped last week as the commercial season opened in Northern California, creating a glut on the market. Our local Dungeness are available at the better butcher shops in town, as well as direct from select fishermen at the Santa Cruz Harbor.

Steelhead season opened Monday on the San Lorenzo River and other local streams. Flows will remain low and clear until we get some significant rain. There may be a few adult steelhead in the river already, but we have received reports only of small "egg-eater" steelhead caught so far this week..