FISHING THE NORTH COAST
Pacific Halibut Takes Center Stage
341 West Harris St., Eureka 707 445-3138
poletskis.com
By Kenny Priest
fishing@northcoastjournal.com
W
ith the closing of the first part of our salmon season, offshore anglers now have their sights set on Pacific halibut. And since Monday, there’s been a slew of them coming over the rails for both the Eureka and Trinidad fleets. The Eureka boats have had a little tougher go on account of the abundance of black cod lurking on the halibut grounds. In some spots it’s tough to get a bait to the bottom without it being eaten or mangled by the hungry cod. But when you find that spot where your baits can hit the bottom unmolested, it’s been game on. Trinidad has been producing limits for the charters and private boats since salmon season closed. Most of the fish are coming straight out of the harbor in 250 to 300 feet of water. No monsters have been reported yet, with the average size right around 20 to 30 pounds. With fishable water in the forecast through at least Saturday, now’s the time to get in on the action.
Weekend marine forecast Ocean conditions look plenty fishable through Saturday. Friday, winds will be from the northwest to 5 knots with west waves 6 feet at 10 seconds. Saturday’s forecast is calling for northwest winds 5 to 10 knots and west swells 5 feet at 10 seconds. On Sunday, north winds will begin to increase and predicted to blow 10 to 15 knots. Waves will be from the northwest 6 feet at five 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
Following a blustery and rainy weekend, boats were back on the water Monday in search of halibut. According to Tim
Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing, there’s a wide area of fish outside of Eureka. “Halibut have been caught from the 42 line north to the 51 line,” said Klassen. “There seems to be a lot of fish out there but the black cod are still making it difficult to keep your bait. If you can find an area free of Joey Winkler, of Stockton, landed a nice Pacific Saturday cod that has halibut, you’ll while fishing out of Trinidad. do well. The rockfish bite Photo courtesy of Tony Sepulveda/Green Water Fishing Adventures at Cape Mendocino is producing as expected. There’s but there aren’t a lot of boats trying, plenty of variety right now — on our last reports Britt Carson, of Crescent City’s trip we boated 12 different varieties.” Englund Marine. He said, “The few halibut Trinidad caught have come from the South Reef According to Curt Wilson of Wind Rose in 220 to 240 feet of water. The rockfish Charters, the halibut bite is wide-open action is steady, with limits coming fairly for the guys who are putting in the time. easy. There are quite a few lingcod around “Most of the fish are coming straight out as well. The California halibut haven’t of the harbor in 250 to 300 feet,” said Wilshown up in big numbers yet. There is son. “There have been quite a few limits some effort but I think the water is still a caught the last few days. The rockfish bite little cold.” is still good, and we’re seeing more lings Brookings this year than in years past. The crabbing While anglers wait for the June 18 has been excellent, we’ve moved our rings salmon opener out of Brookings, they in shallow and we’re seeing lots of quality have been targeting rockfish and lingcod keepers.” Trinidad Harbor and the Seawith good success, reports Andy Marscape Pier are hosting a big fish (salmon tin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “High and halibut) and photo contest starting water from last weekend’s rain turned the June 1. Sign-ups are at the bait shop and Chetco muddy and slowed ocean fishing are free. close to the mouth, making the Bird Island Shelter Cove and Twins Rocks area the best bet,” said “The salmon fishing was pretty slow last Martin. “Halibut fishing is slow, but a few week, with the best boats averaging a half fish a day are being brought in.” a fish per angler,” said Jake Mitchell, of Sea Read the complete fishing roundup at Hawk Sport Fishing. “Most of the effort www.northcoastjournal.com. has been around the buoys. Rock fishing l remains great with easy limits but lingcod have been a little more difficult to find. Kenny Priest (he/him) operates We, along with a few other boats, took Fishing the North Coast, a fishing guide advantage of the flat weather the last couservice out of Humboldt specializing ple of days and ran to Gorda and Rogers in salmon and steelhead. Find it on Break for rockfish and halibut. The halibut Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and fishing has been really good. www.fishingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Crescent City Coast river information, email kenny@ A few Pacific halibut have been caught fishingthenorthcoast.com
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northcoastjournal.com • Thursday, June 9, 2022 • NORTH COAST JOURNAL
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