Salmon, halibut seasons open

The ocean salmon season and Pacific halibut seasons are now open out of Brookings. Although the weather has been rough in recent weeks with only a few days that boats have been able to get offshore, there are some halibut and salmon being caught.

Brookings Fishing Charters once again has the distinction of getting a customer into the first Pacific halibut of the year, as well the first salmon of the season caught aboard a charter boat.

Salmon season runs May 25-Sept. 2. Hatchery coho can be kept beginning June 22. During its first trip offshore, the Miss Brooke landed five salmon, but only one keeper Chinook, a 30-incher caught by Cody Anderson of Brookings. The customers also released a pair of coho, including a hatchery coho. There also were some shakers (salmon too small to keep). Anchovies and pelicans have arrived off of Brookings, so bigger numbers of salmon should move close to shore within the next few days.

Halibut season runs May 1-Oct. 31 out of Brookings. There have only been a few days calm enough to reach the halibut grounds. Capt. Andy ran a halibut trip in early May, during which his customers caught a Pacific halibut, several petrale soul and a few dozen sand dabs. They then went in close for limits of rockfish and a few lingcod.

Fishing for bottom fish has been good out of Brookings in recent weeks, even though windy weather has kept boats in close. The grade of rockfish has been excellent, with a nice mix of canary, black and blue rockfish. Lingcod fishing has been fair.

Peak season for salmon is quickly approaching, and Brookings Fishing Charters has four boats available each day for charters. To book online, visit www.brookingsfishing.com, or call our office at (541) 813-1082.