Salmon fishing has been getting better for fishermen in this area and in the rest of Northern California.
The Sacramento River and its tributaries also opened for freshwater salmon fishing July 16, but that proved a letdown for anglers.
The ocean seems to be the place for fresh salmon. Monterey Bay has continued to be a top producer, with limits coming in for many boats. The limit is two salmon per person, and each must be at least a 24-inch King or Chinook.
Charter boats and private boats alike are getting in on the action.
Moss Landing continues to a great central location for midsummer kings. The fish have been caught near Moss Landing and Monterey, while the Soquel Hole out of Santa Cruz also has been a very consistent spot.
Trolling was the most productive method early in the season — now, mooching for salmon is the hot ticket. Usually, the salmon season subsides in Monterey Bay by this time of year, but the ocean seems to have many 2-year-old fish that are legal size that have kept the action hot.
Salmon fishing has been epic in Eureka, Shelter Cove and Fort Bragg, where the large 3-year-old kings have been on the bite. Boats are catching limits many days out of these northern ports, and the average size of the salmon is impressive.
Trolling is the trick to the north, with kings coming in from 18 to 30 pounds. Many of the salmon in Northern California appear to be Sacramento River fish and will head back down the coast past Bodega Bay and into the San Francisco Bay as they reach maturity.
July 16 was the historic opening day for salmon on the Central Valley rivers.
This year, the state decided to open it again at this time, with predictions of healthy stocks returning. The salmon decided to skip the event, though: River reports were low, and many boats fished the opener with only a few salmon caught. The Sacramento, American and Feather rivers all opened for salmon fishing, too. Despite a slow start, anglers know there are more fish on their way.
Check the regulations before heading out; fishing for salmon is highly regulated, and a citation can be avoided by following the rules.
Mike Baxter has fished in the Monterey Bay Area since he was a boy and has been a licensed charter boat captain for more than 15 years. Contact him at
ca************@ya***.com
. He also hosts a fishing show on radio station KSCO (1080) from 7:06 to 8 p.m. Thursdays April through September.
