Month: May 2022

Lighthouse trips yield nice lings and rockfish, occasional halibut

BROOKINGS, Ore. (May 29, 2022) – Long-range trips to the Point St. George Reef Lighthouse are producing limits of nice lingcod and rockfish, while fishing charters on our local half-day trips also are yielding nice rockfish with lingcod mixed in.

Some of the nice lingcod caught Memorial Day Weekend aboard The Dash with Capt. Mick.

So far this season, trips to the lighthouse, located halfway between Brookings and Crescent City, just across the border in California, have been a major draw. Aside from quality limits, a few Pacific halibut also have been caught on our charters to the lighthouse, along with a 5-foot wolf eel. Trips to Mack Arch also are resulting in limits of nice lingcod and rockfish, with some fish pushing 20 pounds.

Capt. Michael holds a nice halibut caught aboard the Kraken at the Point St. George Reef Lighthouse.

Salmon season opens June 18 out of the Port of Brookings Harbor, and expectations are high. More than 1.2 million hatchery coho salmon are projected to be off the Oregon Coast this summer, most headed back to the Columbia River. Those salmon begin their northerly migration up the coast near Brookings, where they move closer to the beach after wintering in deep water, and follow the coastline back to the Columbia River. Along with the abundant forecast of silver salmon, the Sacramento River, which fuels ocean fisheries in Oregon and California, also has a strong forecast for fall king salmon, along with the Rogue River. Salmon from those two river account for the majority of the kings caught each summer off of Brookings.

A tiger rockfish caught at the lighthouse aboard the Kraken.

King salmon season opens June 25, when anglers will be allowed to keep wild or hatchery king salmon, also known as Chinook, along with hatchery coho salmon, which also go by the name of silver salmon.

Below are some of the catches from recent trips aboard the Miss Brooke, Kraken, Nauti-Lady, Papa B, Bout Time and Dash, which make up the Brookings Fishing Charters fleet.

To book a trip, call (541) 813-1082 or book online at www.brookingsfishing.com.

Limits of lingcod and rockfish from the lighthouse aboard the Miss Brooke.

Big lingcod biting off Brookings

BROOKINGS, Ore. (May 4,2022) – Some of the biggest lingcod of the season have been caught in recent trips aboard the Brookings Fishing Charters boats, including a trophy ling weighing 28.8 pounds hauled in at Mack Arch aboard the Miss Brooke.

Some of the nice lingcod caught aboard the Miss Brooke in late April.

Fishing also has opened for the season at the Point St. George Reef Lighthouse, where anglers often catch some of the biggest lingcod and rockfish outside of Alaska. Big swells and brisk winds made fishing tough on the May 1 opener, but the Nauti-Lady, Miss Brooke, Kraken, Dash and Bout Time still managed limits of nice rockfish and boat loads of lingcod. Trips to the lighthouse are a hit with our customers, who enjoy catching big fish on light spinning tackle. The variety at the lighthouse is unmatched, with vermilion, canary, copper, tiger, black, blue and China rockfish, and lingcod from 5 to 25 pounds, or bigger.

Part of the opening day catch at the lighthouse aboard the Miss Brooke with Capt. Travis and Capt. Sam.

Anglers are anxiously awaiting the June 18 ocean salmon opener out of Brookings, and are encouraged by reports of limits out of Crescent City. Salmon fishing is open May 1-31 out of Crescent City, but closes in June and July. It opens June 18 out of Brookings for coho and June 25 for kings, and remains open through most of August.

Pacific halibut season also opened May 1 out of Brookings, and continues through Oct. 31. The best halibut fishing is generally in late June, July and August.

The Bout Time returned from the lighthouse with limits of lingcod and rockfish.

The best bet in recent weeks out of Brookings has been lingcod on the 6-hour long-range trip by the Brookings Fishing Charters fleet. Trips to Mack Arch have been yielding limits of lingcod, while the fishing also has been good at House Rock and Twin Rocks. Fishing is expected to be excellent at the Point St. George Reef Lighthouse during calm weather days.

To book a trip, call (541) 813-1082, or visit www.brookingsfishing.com.

Some of the great catches from the lighthouse opener.
Mark gaffs a lingcod aboard the Nauti-Lady.
A nice lighthouse lingcod aboard the Nauti-Lady.
Great catches on our six-hour long-range trips in late April.
A lunker lingcod from Mack Arch aboard the Miss Brooke.

Mediterranean Baked Rockfish, Lingcod and Halibut

A fresh, delicious way to enjoy the Oregon Coast catch of the day, bursting with citrus flavor, easy to make, and a breeze to cleanup is Mediterranean Baked Rockfish, Lingcod and Halibut. This recipe is perfect for anyone seeking a healthy alternative to fish and chips, or those counting carbs. It is especially good after picking up fresh produce at the many farmers’ markets on the coast during the summer, or vegetables from your garden.

Mediterranean Baked Rockfish, Lingcod or Halibut is a great way to enjoy the catch of the day from the Oregon Coast.

Versatile, Mediterranean Baked Fish is equally good with rockfish, lingcod, halibut or even salmon, or a combination of them. The unique taste is worth baking up a few times each season, and may become a favorite way to enjoy the catch from our charter boats. Perfect with a side of rice, pasta salad or green salad.

Fresh vegetables make this a delicious and healthy alternative to fish and chips.

Mediterranean Sauce

Zest of 2 lemons

Juice from 2 lemons

1 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic

2 teaspoons dill weed

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

3/4 teaspoon ground coriander

Fish and vegetables

1-2 pounds rockfish, lingcod or halibut fillets, sliced into thin pieces

1 pound cherry tomatoes

1 pound fresh green beans

1 large yellow onion, sliced into half moons

Also works well with sliced zucchini, sliced bell pepper and/or asparagus

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. In a bowl, combine lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, dill weed, oregano, coriander, salt and pepper. Whisk the ingredients together.
  3. In a large bowl, add the vegetables, coat with sauce and stir. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the vegetables to a large baking sheet. Layer half the baking sheet with a thin layer of the vegetables.
  4. Add the fish fillets to the bowl, mix well with the sauce, and transfer the fillets to the other half of the baking sheet. Pour any remaining sauce on the fish fillets and vegetables.
  5. Lightly season the fish and vegetables with salt and pepper, or lemon pepper, or seasoned salt.
  6. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, then place on top rack of oven and broil for an additional 3 minutes, or until the cherry tomatoes begin to pop under the broiler.
Combine lemon juice and zest, olive oil, seasonings and herbs.
Add sliced vegetables to bowl, and stir in Mediterranean sauce.
After transferring vegetables to baking sheet, slice fish fillets, coat with sauce and add to baking sheet.
Pour remaining sauce over fish and vegetables. Bake for 15 minutes.
Finish off by broiling on top rack of oven for 3 minutes.
Mediterranean Baked Rockfish, Lingcod or Halibut.

To catch a limit of Oregon Coast rockfish or lingcod, book a charter with Brookings Fishing Charters, www.brookingsfishing.com