Strong winds, occasionally gusting to gale force stymied most attempts for offshore albacore this week. Inshore fishing remains productive with the special bonus of an increasing White Sea Bass presence near Capitola.

According to Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine, Monday was the best day for offshore tuna fishing. The warm albacore waters are located 35-60 miles offshore, and this week's weather pattern allowed a few boats out that caught seven to nine fish each near the Guide Seamount and the 601 Buoy.?? The warm water current looks strong, and the fishing has been consistent when boats can reach that area. Local anglers hope the conditions will improve as we move into the fall weather pattern, which features calmer offshore winds.

Salmon fishing remains consistent for those trolling near the Soquel Hole and straight out of Santa Cruz. Typically, as fall approaches, the size of salmon caught increases. This week featured some big fish including a 40-pound King Salmon caught on Saturday. Boaters are working 225-350 feet of water and trolling 40-130 feet down, as reported to Fraser.

Capitola is the place to be if one is looking for White Sea Bass action. The elusive croakers have been hanging around that area for a few weeks now. "I've seen schools that contain hundreds of fish," says Ed Burrell from Capitola Boat and Bait. The big fish are notoriously shy and slow to bite. Nevertheless, diligent anglers are catching them here and there, usually in 30-60 feet of water near Capitola Wharf and the Cement Ship. Burrell himself hooked a 38-pounder by the Capitola Mile Buoy on Tuesday. He has seen five fish caught in the past week that weighed in at over 50 pounds and two over 60, including a 64-pound monster caught by Aaron Dossett on Saturday.

Rockfishing is still consistent from our local reefs. Southrock, and the West Cliff reefs are producing limits of schoolie rockfish for anglers, usually by noon. For bigger quality fish, Ano Nuevo is the spot. Gerry Brookes from Reel Sportfishing took four anglers to Ano on Saturday. "I had a boat of great fishermen, that actually brought all the own gear and artificial baits," Brookes quipped. "I estimate they lost over a hundred bucks of gear on the rocks. But what a gas. They didn't want to keep any of the smaller fish like blues and blacks, so we put on big baits for big fish. Caught 4 limits of Lings to 16lbs, with a nice box of reds."

For easy fishing with the kids, try using squid tipped sabiki rigs at the Santa Cruz Harbor. Local anglers Max and Ema Bushnell have been practicing catch and release with dozens of perch, smelt and kingfish at the Harbor lately.