Eureka and Crescent City Top Ports for Halibut

By Kenny Priest fishing@northcoastjournal.com

Anglers fishing out of Eureka and Crescent City enjoyed some of the best Pacific halibut fishing of the season this week. Both ports kicked out limits for boats willing to put in some time. And most days it didn’t take much time. Out of Eureka, charters were loaded up and headed to the dock not long after dropping anchor, sometimes within an hour. That’s some pretty good halibut fishing! And that’s despite unfavorable tides and having to contend with those pesky black cod. The halibut fishery has really caught fire in Crescent City, where anglers are enjoying one of the best seasons anyone can remember. Ocean conditions have been great the last few days, and I’m sure that didn’t hurt the cause. But there’s little doubt the sea floor is covered in halibut right now. Eyeing the weather ahead and where we stand with the quota, you’ll want to get in on the action before the end of the month. Or you may miss the boat.

Pacifi c halibut quota update

The CDFW has projected 21,454 net pounds of Pacific halibut have been harvested through July 2. In 2023, the Pacific halibut allocation for California is 39,520 pounds. The Pacific halibut fishery will run through Nov. 15 or until the quota is reached, whichever is earlier. To view the latest catch projection information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/pacific-halibut#31670772-in-season-tracking.

The Oceans: Eureka

According to Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing, the Pacific halibut bite is really good right now. “There seems to be a lot of fish out there, and some days the limits come quickly,” he said. “Boats are catching from the Eel River north to the Mad. There are some small ones in the mix, 6 to 12 pounders, but there’s also fish up to 80 pounds. The average is running right around 20 to 25 pounds. Herring is still a top producer. The black cod and Hake are thick out there, you’ll need to check your bait every few minutes. The rockfish bite at Cape Mendocino has been excellent, though it’s tough to get past the black rockfish as they are voracious. The lingcod bite continues to be on the slow side.”

Trinidad

According to Tony Sepulveda of Shellback Sport Fishing, the Pacific halibut got a touch more elusive this week. “We still put fish on the boat every day we tried with plenty of good ones up to 60 pounds,” said Sepulveda. “Limits of jumbo black rockfish went along with them. The negative tides made them a little fickle, but still no problem loading the boat. Out near Reading Rock produced limits of lingcod and rockfish every day we made the remote waters run. And the jumbo lings went on the hard chew late in the week. We had five over 20 pounds, topped by a 30-pounder Sunday, to go along with limits of jumbo rockfish and couple bonus 40-pound Pacific halibut.”

Shelter Cove

“The rockfish bite continues to be wide-open,” said Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing. “However, the lingcod bite is still slow. Most of the rockfish action is happening outside the Hat. The halibut bite has been slow this week.”

Crescent City

“The Pacific halibut bite has been excellent, the best we’ve seen in a long time,” said Britt Carson, of Crescent City’s

Englund Marine. “Most of the boats are targeting the South Reef area in 230 to 280 feet of water. There’s also been a few caught by anglers targeting rockfish near the North Reef. Both the rockfish and lingcod bite are still wide-open, with limits coming easily. The reefs along with the Sisters have been productive. The California halibut bite has been hit and miss. Not many coming from the rock wall, but the trollers are getting a few along South Beach. Razor clamming, which just opened back up last week, has been productive for the guys who know what they’re doing.” The daily bag limit for razor clams is 20 and the first 20 clams dug must be retained regardless of size or condition. The fishery in odd-numbered years is open north of Battery Point, Crescent City, in Del Norte County.

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Kenny Priest operates Fishing the North Coast, a fishing guide service out of Humboldt specializing in salmon and steelhead. Find it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and fishingthenorthcoast.com

For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@ fishingthenorthcoast.com