Take for example Thornton's latest trip on the Trek II on Friday, October 18. "We ran straight out of the harbor and caught a load of sand dabs to use for bait," he explained. "Once we had enough bait, we ran down to Beaver Point (only five minutes from the harbor) and started hammering the lingcod in about 100 feet of water."

Once Thornton's twelve passengers had their two fish limits, they switched over to Super Fly rigs and managed half-limits of rockfish, a mix of backs, blues, coppers and china cod.

While live sand dabs usually equate to easy limits of lingcod, they aren't mandatory. Captain Brandon Van Dine of the Lady Irma II found equally impressive results the following day with full limits of lingcod and rockfish boated by 9 anglers. They were fishing Super Flies and bars in 80 to 100 feet of water off the town of Elk, approximately 20 miles south of Fort Bragg.

The Farallon Islands have been producing equally impressive results for boats fishing out of Emeryville and Berkeley. Boats have been averaging 1 to 2 fish a rod on the lings while fishing live anchovies in 60 to 100 feet of water.

Out of Emeryville on Saturday, the New Huck Finn bagged 58 lingcod to 20 pounds and 90 rockfish for 29 anglers. The New Seeker was close to limits with a total of 20 lingcod to 10 pounds for 12 anglers. Not to mention they also had full limits of rockfish. The Rapid Transit nailed full limits (42 fish to 18 pounds) along with 53 rockfish for 21 anglers. The following day, the New Huck Finn put up a perfect score with full limits of rockfish and lingcod to 23 pounds for 15 anglers.

The New Golden Eye out of Berkeley Marina Sport Center made the long run to the Farallons both days with excellent results. On Saturday, they ended up with 29 lingcod to 24 pounds and 180 rockfish (limits) for 18 anglers. On Sunday, the bagged 31 lingcod to 18 pounds along with 160 rockfish for 17 anglers.

Last, but not least, the Bodega Bay fleet enjoyed solid action on lingcod during the past week. Limits were rare, but most trips produced a respectable average of a fish per rod. "The lingcod bite has been awesome this month," exclaimed Shawna Harbarth of New Aggressor Sportfishing. "Our trips produced about a fish a rod on the lingcod this weekend and we had an incredible day last Saturday with full limits of lingcod for 34 anglers."

Out of Bodega Bay Sportfishing, Rick Powers says the rockfish and lingcod bite has been excellent this week. "Our latest trip was on the Pro Fishn't Friday, october 18," he said. "The boat limited out on quality rockfish using shrimp fly rigs, then switched over to 8 to 10 ounce bars with a teaser and nailed 16 lingcod to 21 pounds. They were fishing shallow water off Timber Cove."

At press time, everyone is hopeful the season will be extended, but no word as of yet. If not, we're looking at an 8 month wait before getting a shot at another lingcod. The one option is north of Cape Mendocino where the season will remain open. The Rumblefish out of Noyo Fishing Center in Fort Bragg plans to run trips trips every Saturday and Sunday north of Cape Mendocino where they will target huge rockfish and lingcod off Punta Gorda. This trip could be real winner and well worth the long boat ride.