Finally, the weather conditions are settling in to what we consider a more “normal” summertime pattern. We’re getting a slight breeze offshore around sunrise that dies down for a few hours of calm and glassy seas before picking up again from the west or northwest. How hard it blows after that determines how long we can stay out fishing. We had a few days this week that were nice until noon or later. The weekend forecast looks even better with maximum winds expected to be no more than 10 knots or so, over an almost negligible swell.

For a guaranteed catch, rockfishing is the best bet right now. Private boats and charter operations are hauling in limits from the medium and deeper reefs. Shallow reefs should produce as well by the weekend, now that annoying south swell has died down. (Apologies to all surfers.) Six-pack charter Go Fish Santa Cruz has been working the north coast spots lately, near Davenport. The fish are bigger there and limits are quicker.

Skipper JT Thomas reported Monday and Tuesday trips caught limits of a great variety of rockfish including vermillion, browns, blues, yellowtail, blacks and coppers. Monday’s trip also netted a nice petrale sole from that area. On Wednesday, the beautiful Miss Beth fished for halibut near Capitola, and caught three nice flatties and released one silver salmon. Thomas reported, “We threw back one silver salmon. Not sure why it was in 50 feet of water.”

Stagnaro’s Sportfishing operates two bigger boats from the Santa Cruz Harbor, and often does multiple trips per day. Owner Ken Stagnaro gave his overview for the week saying, “The Velocity was coming home with half to 3/4 limits with a few ling cod starting to show up. Over the weekend, anglers on Legacy caught limits of rockfish on seven-hour trips and 3/4 limits on the afternoon twilight trips. On Tuesday they caught early limits of rockfish for eight anglers aboard.”

Kris Victorino, skipper for Kahuna Sportfishing in Moss Landing finally got an opportunity to head the boat towards Big Sur. The trip is long, but the fishing is fast. Victorino was happy to report, “Saturday we got limits for 19 at Big Sur. Twelve lings to 15 pounds. Sunday saw limits for 13 at Big Sur. Lots of vermilion and coppers, plus 11 lings to 10 pounds. And one 15 pound halibut.“

In Monterey, Chris’ Fishing Trips reported limits of rockfish for every trip this week aboard the Check Mate and the Caroline. Kenneth Morse from Chris’ said “We did manage one trip down to Big Sur last week. There were lots of blues and olive rockfish with a few vermilion here and there. The fish were high quality, weighing two to three pounds apiece, which is big for schoolie rockfish.”

Chris’ ran a salmon trip on Tuesday for two kings, plus a bonus of one halibut and five petrale sole.