After sitting on the sidelines and watching every port to the south celebrate yet another bluefin tuna hitting the deck, Eureka finally got in on the party. Acting on a report from a couple of commercial boats who witnessed bluefin jumping off their bows, a few boats from the local sport fleet took to the water Wednesday morning. Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing and Gary Blasi of Full Throttle Sport Fishing were two of the few boats that went. According to Klassen, he had planned all week to head to Shelter Cove. But once the word got out about bluefin being spotted near the Eel River Canyon, the game plan changed. “We let the lines out about 10 miles from the entrance,” said Klassen. “Within 30 minutes, we were hooked up with what turned out to be a nice bluefin, estimated to be between 125 and 150 pounds. Turns out, that was our only fish of the day. We didn’t see any tuna busting the surface, but we did see plenty of whales, dolphins, and a group of killer whales. We did hear of a couple other bluefin landed in the same general area, so we know the fish are there. And the ocean conditions look to be fishable through Sunday.” Now that the seal has been broken, I’m betting we’ll see some nice fish hitting the decks over the next few days.
Shelter Cove tuna report
The Shelter Cove boats were back at it Wednesday after being tied up since Sunday due to weather. According to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing, the bite isn’t as hot as last week. “The bite was a little slower Wednesday, but we managed to put a couple in,” said Mitchell. “There were probably 10 to 15 caught amongst the fleet. Most of the action was six to 10 miles out to the north. It looks a little rough the next few days, but it may be fishable. Conditions are looking good early next week.”
Brookings
Nicer weather is expected offshore of Brookings beginning Thursday according to Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “Halibut season runs through Oct. 31, said Martin. “Lingcod and rockfish are open year-round. Rockfish action has been good, and lingcod decent on nice weather days. Surfperch action has improved, with very good reports just across the border at Kellogg Beach in Crescent City.
Dungeness crab testing ongoing
Domoic acid testing in Dungeness crabs is ongoing along the California coast. To date, samples from Crescent City, Bodega Bay, Half Moon Bay/SF and Monterey have all been tested at least once. None of the tested ports had crabs that exceed the action level of 30 parts per million. For more information, visit www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/Pages/FDBPrograms/FoodSafetyProgram/DomoicAcid.aspx
2023 Smith and Eel River Chinook salmon regulation reminder
In an emergency action in response to historic low abundance of California stocks of Chinook salmon, the Fish and Game Commission acted to close all recreational Chinook Salmon fisheries in the Smith and Eel Rivers. According to the 2023-2024 California Supplemental Sport Fishing Regulations, the Smith is closed to all salmon fishing except for 1 Chinook Salmon and no more than 5 wild Chinook Salmon over 22 inches per year by federally recognized tribes while fishing under existing inland sport fishing regulations. The Eel River is closed to salmon fishing except catch and release by federally recognized tribes.
Low flow fishing closures
All North Coast rivers subjected to low flow fishing closures, except for the Smith, are closed to fishing as of Thursday. This includes the Eel, Mad, Redwood Creek, and Van Duzen. The Department of Fish and Game will make the information available to the public by a telephone recorded message updated, as necessary, no later than 1 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as to whether any stream will be closed to fishing. The rivers can be opened up at any time. The low flow closure hotline for North Coast rivers is 707-822-3164. NOTE: The main stem Eel from the South Fork to Cape Horn Dam, the Mad River from the mouth to 200 yards upstream and the Mattole River will be closed until January 1, 2024.
The Rivers:
Smith
The Smith opened to fishing Thursday after topping out at 1,000 cfs on the Jed Smith gauge. With no rain in the forecast the rest of the week, it will likely close to fishing prior to the weekend. A reminder that the Smith is closed to all salmon fishing for non-tribal members. Federally recognized tribal members are allowed 1 Chinook Salmon and no more than 5 wild Chinook Salmon over 22 inches per year while fishing under existing inland sport fishing regulations.
Lower Klamath
Fishing pressure has been light, but there are still a few opportunities to be had. There are a few steelhead around, though most are aways upriver. A few salmon are still trickling in. The mouth was reportedly backed up last week and coupled with big swells, it makes fishing tough. A reminder that there is a zero bag limit for salmon. The daily bag limit for hatchery steelhead is two per day on both the Klamath and Trinity rivers, with a possession limit of four. Anglers must have a Steelhead Fishing Report and Restoration Card in their possession while fishing for steelhead trout in anadromous waters.
Chetco
A big rise in flows is forecasted on the Chetco next week, just in time for the lifting of bobber-only gear restrictions reports Martin. “Until Nov. 4, bobbers must be used for fishing above the estuary, designated by the power lines just above the Highway 101 bridge. Bobber fishing has been fair, with plenty of salmon spread throughout the river. Flows will have a slight bump this week, and could top 2,500 cfs by the middle of next week.”
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.
Fishing the North Coast with Kenny Priest 