Kenny Priest

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife projects the combined recreational and commercial take of quillback rockfish will exceed the harvest limits specified in federal regulation for 2023 is prohibiting retention of the fish statewide in both the recreational and commercial fisheries effective Aug. 7. From the CDFW July 28 announcement: “The 2021 stock assessment […]

After a solid week of fishable ocean conditions, the end is near for our Pacific halibut season. With more good weather forecast through the weekend, it will be a close call whether we make it until the first of August. The hope was the halibut quota would carry well into August and coincide with the […]

Steelhead have been trickling into the lower Klamath, and the fishing so far has been on the slow side. That’s the tough news. The good news is the river is in great shape. The water temps are slightly cooler than previous years, and the water is clear and free from moss. These excellent conditions, however, […]

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 […]

A nice long stretch of fishable weather provided some pretty good Pacific halibut action from Eureka up to Crescent City. Private, and especially charter boats, have been putting a lickin’ on the halibut since last weekend. There were plenty of days where boats were back in port well inside of 10 a.m. with a box […]

After a few weeks of windy weather, which hasn’t allowed for much consistent time on the water, it finally looks like we’re going to string together quite a few fishable days. Through at least Sunday, fairly light winds and small seas are in the forecast. This could spell doom for the Pacific halibut quota. As […]

Gale-force north winds in June are historically common along the North Coast. And this year is certainly no exception. Following four fishable days last week, the north winds have returned in force and look to stick around through the weekend. The good news is when the boats can slip out during these short windows, they […]

It’s been a quiet week for offshore anglers along the North Coast. The wind and seas finally relented Wednesday, allowing the Eureka-based fleet of boats to get back on the water. It’s been a long time coming as most charter and private boats haven’t fished since early last week. And it looks like we have […]

With no salmon season, Pacific halibut continues to be the focal point out of Eureka, Trinidad and Crescent City after another week of sizzling action. Eureka charter and sport boats fishing a few miles on each side of the entrance in 290 to 300 feet of water are reporting quick limits. The small Trinidad fleet […]

For anglers across the North Coast, Memorial Day weekend provides an excellent opportunity to try your luck at a variety of fishing locations. With plenty of options on the table, the biggest decision might not be if you want to go, but where. Here are a few of the options that will hopefully make your […]

Much like the Pacific halibut opener a couple weeks ago, Monday’s rockfish season debut was curtailed by rough ocean conditions. Luckily the delay lasted just a day as boats were headed to the rockfish grounds first thing Tuesday morning. And as expected, wide-open rock fishing was reported from Shelter Cove north to Crescent City. Expect […]

After a hot start to the season, Pacific halibut action out of Eureka has since slowed. Last Monday’s opener was blown out but boats were able to make it back out Wednesday. And what they found were plenty of hungry halibut looking as though they haven’t seen bait in a long time. Quick limits were […]