New year begins with abundant lingcod, big rockfish

BROOKINGS, Ore. (Jan. 20, 2026) – The 2026 ocean charter season is off to an exceptional start, with plentiful lingcod, big rockfish, bonus crab and incredible weather. Lingcod fishing has been good to excellent, with many anglers already cashing in on the new three-lingcod-a-day limit in Oregon, along with a jumbo grade of rockfish and enough Dungeness crab for a winter seafood feast fit for a king.

Our charter boats have already run several trips to start the new year, with flat ocean conditions, light winds, and fast-and-furious fishing. Adding to the hot fishing has been frequent whale sightings, mild temperatures offshore, and mostly dry weather. Ocean charters are offered year round, weather permitting, and so far we’ve been on the water more often than previous years in January.

Capt. Chris has been getting into big numbers of lingcod on the Miss Brooke, with most of his customers returning with the full three-fish limit for lingcod, plus quick limits of lunker rockfish. Crabbing also has been worthwhile for the Miss Brooke crew.

Capt. Andy has been on the Nauti-Lady, where lingcod fishing also has been good. The lings are in shallow water, so light spinning tackle has been working well for fast action on the rockfish, then jigs or baits for lings. The lingcod move into shallow water during the winter months to stage before spawning. Big numbers of lingcod have been observed this year, evident by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife increasing the daily limit. Unlike rockfish, which can live for decades, lingcod are fast-growing and reach maturity in just a couple of years. An old lingcod is 6 years old, compared to rockfish, which can live for 50 years, and fish over 100 years old have been caught in Alaska.

The best fishing has been from Bird Island north. Our crew has been making the long-range trip to Mack Arch for even better fishing, along with the incredible scenery along the remote section of Oregon Coast. Gray whales are migrating through the area, and some days our customers have watched in awe as half a dozen large whales swim past the boat, feeding on schools of baitfish next to the rocky reefs we fish.

Halibut season opens May 1, while ocean salmon season will open in May or June. Salmon dates will be finalized during an April meeting of state and federal fishery managers. Albacore tuna typically arrive off the Southern Oregon Coast in late June, and are usually within range of our fleet by July.

Rockfish and lingcod trips run daily as the weather allows. Call (541) 813-1082 to book a trip or get on our winter call list. Trips also can be booked online at www.brookingsfishing.com.

Here are some more photos from our January 2026 ocean charters.