Fishing the North Coast

Weather Slows Eureka King Opener

By Kenny Priest

fishing@northcoastjournal.com

With no advance scouting, the dozen or so Eureka boats struggled to find schools of salmon during Sunday’s opener. In a typical year, we’ll see rockfish and Pacific halibut open a few weeks prior to salmon, giving anglers some clues on where the bait is stockpiled and where the birds are spending their time. But this year, there was no time on the water prior to the opener, and the boats were at somewhat of a disadvantage. The weather also played a role. Swells were too large for boats to travel far and look for fish. Despite all that, anglers caught some salmon. The few charters who ventured out all caught a few. This is really encouraging to see fish here this early in the season. Once the weather cooperates, it should be game on.

Weekend marine forecast

Ocean conditions don’t look great for the rest of the week and weekend. As of Tuesday afternoon, Thursday’s forecast is calling for south winds 5 to 10 knots and northwest waves 9 feet at 18 seconds. Friday’s forecast is calling for southwest winds 5 to 15 knots and waves southwest 7 feet at seven seconds and west 7 feet at 14 seconds. Saturday’s forecast is calling for northwest winds at 10 to 15 knots and west waves 11 feet at 12 seconds and southwest 2 feet at 17 seconds. Sunday looks worse, with 10 to 20 knot winds coming out of the northwest and west waves 11 feet at 11 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. You can also call the National Weather Service at 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at 443-6484.

The Oceans:

Eureka

Arcata resident Larry Biggs landed a nice one Sunday while fishing the king salmon opener

out of Eureka. Photo courtesy of Tim Klassen/Reel Steel Sport Fishing

the boats that fished Sunday’s opener. The 9-foot swells kept the fleet close and didn’t allow for much looking around. “Most of the fish were straight out in 150 to 220 feet of water roughly a mile north and south of the entrance,” said Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing. “But they were definitely spread out, no real schools. We didn’t see any edges, rips or color changes, which is what we’re looking for. The fish that were caught were full of crab larvae and krill. Ocean conditions don’t look great this week for halibut or rockfish, but we may be able to troll for salmon.”

Trinidad

Salmon, rockfish and Pacific halibut all opened Sunday. Reportedly, seven boats launched but caught no salmon. There were a few Pacific halibut landed, however. The Trinidad launch will be in service and launching boats at 6 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Thursday through Monday. It will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Cost to launch is $45.

Shelter Cove

The saltwater opener was good, according to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing. “The rockfish bit really well at the Hat on Sunday and around the whistle on Monday,” said Mitchell. “There were some salmon caught on Sunday around the bell buoy, with boats averaging a little less than a fish per rod. It was pretty rough on Monday and only four boats launched. I heard of four salmon caught.”

Crescent City

Crescent City was definitely the hot spot for salmon on the opener. Sport and charter boats reported quite a few limits, with most of the action straight out front just south of the second buoy. The fish were shallow, with most coming at 50 feet. Reportedly, more than 40 salmon were counted by Fish and Wildlife staff. Only a couple boats braved the conditions on Monday and again boated limits. The rockfish opener was also successful, with limits coming fairly easily. The ling bite was reportedly a little tougher.

Brookings

Pacific halibut season opened Sunday out of Brookings with fairly large swell and a strong wind drift, reports Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “Fishing was slow,” said Martin. “Lingcod fishing remains good along the near-shore reefs from Chetco Point to House Rock. Lings to 30 pounds were caught last week. Salmon won’t open until June 28 out of Brookings. Bottom fish anglers continue to encounter large numbers of kings in close, a promising sign for next month.”

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

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.

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