Fishing the North Coast

Eureka Salmon Finally Show Up

By Kenny Priest

fishing@northcoastjournal.com

If the last couple days are any indication, we may have a strong finish to the salmon season out of Eureka. Since the opener June 29, the fishing — and subsequently the effort — have both been underwhelming. But things began to change Saturday. A couple charters and sport boats braved tough conditions and found some nice kings 5 miles north of the entrance. This is exactly what we’ve been waiting on. After sitting out Sunday due to rough seas, Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing and Gary Blasi of Full Throttle Sport Fishing found enough hungry kings Monday to make a solid day. “The salmon were off of Mad River on the 55-line Monday in 230 feet of water,” said Klassen. “The fish were scattered and you had to look around for patches of bait. There wasn’t much to key on but there were some nice fish in the mix. They averaged from 7 pounds all the way to 23 pounds,” said Klassen. Nice weather is forecast for the rest of the week, so expect the fleet to apply a fullcourt press on the salmon grounds. The season will come to a close after Sunday.

Weekend Marine Forecast

Calmer winds and seas will most likely persist through the week. Friday’s forecast is calling for winds 10 to 15 knots out of the north and northwest waves 4 feet at six seconds. Saturday is calling for north winds 5 to 10 knots and waves out of the north 4 feet at six seconds. Sunday’s forecast is similar, with winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 knots and waves northwest 5 feet at 6 seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit www.weather.gov/eureka/ or www.windy. com. To monitor the latest Humboldt bar conditions, visit www.wrh.noaa.gov/ eka/swan. You can also call the National Weather Service at 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at 443-6484.

Junior Angler Fishing Day

Saturday, Aug. 7, there will be a Junior Angler Fishing Day held at Freshwater Lagoon Beach for anglers 16 and younger. Loaner fishing equipment is available for those that need it (available on a first-come-first-served basis). Get a Junior Angler program/booklet with which kids can earn a fishing badge, free stickers and other giveaways. Limited to 40 participants who need to be accompanied by an adult. Sign up is required. Call 465-7762 or emailing redw_volunteer@nps.gov.

Arcata resident Larry Biggs landed this big king salmon Monday while fishing out of Eureka. The king weighed close to 23 pounds. Photo courtesy of Tim Klassen/Reel Steel Sport Fishing been in close from the moorings down to White Rock. The rock fishing has been awesome but the lingcod were pretty tough to come by last week.” Big fish honors for the week went to John Neil, who boated a 30.5-pound king last Thursday. Sport Crab season Crescent City When they can get out, anglers are coming to a close finding a few salmon. According to Britt Carson of Crescent City’s Englund Marine,

The 2021 sport Dungeness crab season the best bite is still between Round Rock in Humboldt, Mendocino and Del Norte and the green can in 100 feet of water. counties will close Friday July 30. The sea- “The fish are close to the bottom, coming son is expected to reopen Nov. 6. at 80 feet on the wire,” said Carson. “The The Oceans: California halibut bite really picked up this week along South Beach. Trollers as well as anglers fishing from the rocks are getting Eureka a few each day. The rockfish and lingcod

With the season closing after this bite continues to be excellent. South Reef weekend, the salmon action is finally and the Sisters are a couple of the popular starting to heat up. Schools of kings were spots.” located off the Mad River Saturday in 230 feet of water and boats were back in that The Rivers: general area on Monday. There were some salmon up to 23-pounds caught. Lower Klamath

Trinidad

The salmon bite dipped a little Tuesday according to Tony Sepulveda of Shellback Sport Fishing. “Prior to Tuesday, limits were had just about each day,” said Sepulveda. “There’s a big area of fish from a little north of Patrick’s Point all the way to Reading Rock. And there’s some nice ones in the mix with some over 20 pounds.”

The estuary fishery has been up and down all week and varying from tide to tide. It will likely be this way until we see the first big push of fall salmon enter the river. Spring-run regulations are in effect through Aug. 14, with a daily bag and possession limit of one salmon of any size. l

Read the complete fishing roundup at www.northcoastjournal.com.

Kenny Priest (he/him) operates Fishing the North Coast, a fishing guide service out of Humboldt specializing in salmon and steelhead. Find it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and www.fishingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@ fishingthenorthcoast.com

Shelter Cove

According to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing, the salmon fishing has been sporadic. He said, “Some days have been really good and the next will be pretty tough. Overall, there are fish to be had, if you’re willing to work at it. The grade has been excellent but there are a lot of silvers in the mix as well. Most of the effort has

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