Conditions were fairly reasonable on our local saltwater this week, with a number of flat glassy mornings, and mostly low winds in the afternoons. Few are venturing out for the limited species available right now, but bountiful harvests were reported nonetheless. Fishing for Dungeness crab takes high billing again. The North Coast area from Wilder Ranch to Ano Nuevo is kicking out limits of crab for those who soak pots overnight in 180-200 feet of water. The further north one goes, the more likely the pots will be raided, unfortunately. Local commercial crabbers are reporting suspicious empty traps on their strings. A number of commercial boats from further north may be the culprits. When left unmolested, however, the pots are producing very well, and the Dungeness remain big and meaty.

Ken Stagnaro and Stagnaro's Sportfishing specializes in short, economical potluck trips during the winter. So far the main target has been sanddabs, though if last year is any indication, we will start seeing an increase of mackerels soon. Last week, Stagnaro stayed pretty close to Santa Cruz and found plenty of 'dabs in 250 feet of water. The 30 anglers aboard brought home a total of 680 sanddabs. Not bad for a four-hour trip. Stagnaro's will be running the potluck trips every weekend as weather permits. Ed Burrell at Capitola Boat and Bait checked in with good news. He has received reports of full-sized anchovies schooling around the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. This may bode well for spring and summertime fishing. The past couple years we've not seen many anchovies (though the giant schools of sardines more than made up for their absence). Burrell predicts perch fishing will pick up near the Capitola Wharf as afternoon winds ruffle the water surface. He also reports a number of perch caught from the Wharf last week, as well as a few big sand soles and a large starry flounder, all caught by an angler using shrimp for bait.

It's big-game season up in San Francisco Bay right now. The herring are in to spawn, and recent rains have made the water perfect for sturgeon fishing. Kayak fisherman Ben Williams worked the shell bank area off China Camp last Saturday and was rewarded with a beautiful 53-inch White Sturgeon. Most know there is no International Sportsman's Exhibition show in San Mateo this year. Low revenues forced the promoters to end that venue. The ISE in Sacramento is scheduled for this weekend, and is much bigger and better attended than San Mateo, with hundreds of exhibitors, seminars and workshops available. Bushnell can also be heard Friday mornings at 6:45 on KSCO radio 1080 AM. Send your photos, comments or questions to scruzfishing@yahoo.com.

Caption: Ben Williams of Sonoma County was all smiles last Saturday after catching his first Kayak Sturgeon.