Once again, weather was the primary factor affecting fishing in the Monterey Bay area this week. Wind and rain combined to make offshore conditions uncomfortable or even impossible at times. The good news is a high-pressure system will be settling in over the coming weekend, bringing a break from the wind and the rain, though a mixed west and south swell might pose a challenge to inshore anglers.

Before the weather deteriorated on Saturday, anglers did fairly well targeting halibut in a number of local areas. Ed Burrell at Capitola Boat and Bait recorded a nice flatty caught with live sardines by Glen Larsen near the Mile Reef. Larsen duplicated his feat the following day. Highliner of the week was Kurtis Williams, who brought in a 26.5-pound flatty on Friday. Capitola regular Mark Davis used live sardines for two halibut on Friday, fishing the area near the "Sponge Bob" buoy. Burrell is happy to report an improvement in the bait situation. He has noted nice schools of sardines moving in and out of the Capitola Marina area during the past week.

Skipper Jim Rubin hosted a full boat of six anglers Saturday and worked the Westside reefs for rockfish. As usual the Becky Ann boated early limits for clients and crew, including ten big vermillion. To top off the day, Rubin made a few halibut drifts on the way back to the harbor, and was rewarded with two big flatties, weighing 25 and 27 pounds respectively. Kayaker Deva Mercado also cashed in on the bite. Working the area near Black's Point Saturday morning, Mercado caught a smattering of Bolina rockfish, a couple lingcod and a 30-inch halibut, his first from the kayak. Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine also noted decent halibut fishing from the Mile Buoy area. Anglers reported to Fraser the fish were caught drifting with live mackerel and sardines, or dead squid.

Fraser says salmon fishing has slowed, with only a few reported caught this week. Again, weather was the critical factor. Boats were just not making it out seven or eight miles to the salmon fishing grounds. Saturday's anglers had the best results, with salmon reported caught at Moss Landing as well as the Soquel Hole. "There was one boat who was near the Soquel Hole in 200 feet of water who caught four Salmon trolling purple haze hoochies down 100 feet. The Salmon were in the 9-16 pound range," Fraser said.

We should have very fishable waters during the weekend and following week. Watch out for the south swell while coming in and out of the Santa Cruz Harbor, and try to avoid the afternoon winds.