Kenny Priest

The first of four sport Pacific halibut seasons off of California will come to a close after today, June 15. So far, the halibut fishing has been spectacular out of Eureka and Trinidad. The North Coast has always been known for its salmon, but it’s quickly becoming a halibut mecca as well. The first season, which opened on May 1,...
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“After being tied up at the dock for a few days, we finally got back on the water Tuesday,” said Skipper Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing. “The halibut are still biting; we hooked four and landed three, so the fishing is still pretty good. There’s also lots of petrale and sand dabs around as well. Inside Humboldt Bay,...
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This weekend’s minus tides could be problematic for ocean anglers launching at Eureka’s two public boat ramps. As most boaters are aware, the Eureka public boat ramp off of Waterfront is a muddy mess at low tide. And this weekend’s minus tides fall smack dab in the middle of when the boat launching traffic is typically the heaviest. Saturday’s low...
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There’s no doubt the salmon closure has left a huge void in our saltwater season that can’t be filled. There’s really nothing that compares to the thrill, taste, and the tradition of salmon fishing off of our coast. However, if the halibut and rockfish continue to chew up baits like they are now, it will certainly lessen the sting. Charter...
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The Shelter Cove salmon bite is finally starting to show signs of life. On Monday, a private boater landed four kings just outside the Hat in roughly 150 feet of water. The kings were caught close to the surface and were loaded with krill. On Tuesday, Captain Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing boated his first four kings of...
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When the weather has cooperated, both the halibut and rockfish bite out of Eureka has been pretty darn good. Marc Schmidt of Coastline Charters on Tuesday ran out to 300 feet and was able to put three keeper halibut on board before 9 a.m. Conditions weren’t great, but the fish were right where he left them the last trip and...
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