Tag: Point St George Reef Lighthouse fishing

Big lingcod biting at lighthouse, ocean salmon and halibut seasons begin

BROOKINGS, Ore. (June 4, 2025) – Lingcod fishing at Point St. George Reef Lighthouse has lived up to its billing, with limits of big fish during the first month of the season for the Brookings Fishing Charters fleet embarking on the long-range trip to the trophy grounds. Nearly every trip this season aboard the Nauti-Lady and Miss Brooke has resulted in full limits of lingcod and large rockfish at the lighthouse. The Alaska-style fishing already has many customers who fished in May scheduled for another charter later this summer to once again experience the world-class fishing at the prolific offshore reef.

A 32-pound lingcod caught aboard the Nauti-Lady in mid-May at Point St. George Reef.

Closer to the Port of Brookings, rockfish action has been very good, while lingcod fishing is fair. Ocean salmon season is open, and beginning June 7, anglers can keep hatchery coho salmon, which are already staging off the coast of Brookings. Pacific halibut season also is open. So far, the Brookings Fishing Charters fleet are the only charters to return to port with halibut and salmon. Catch rates improve considerably in June and July for both ocean salmon and Pacific halibut.

Frequent lighthouse customer Rod Allec of Happy Camp with a pair of nice lingcod caught aboard the Nauti-Lady.

The highlight of May was the wide-open action at Point St. George Reef, located between Brookings and Crescent City. The rugged reef, with an extremely jagged bottom, strong currents, and frequent depth changes is home to some of the best lingcod and rockfish habitat on the planet. It’s remote location makes it a top lingcod destination, with perhaps the best fishing outside of Alaska and British Columbia for trophy lingcod, and a wide variety of rockfish. Giant vermilion, canary, tiger, copper, black, China, blue, yellowtail and widow rockfish are often caught during the same trip, along with quillback and yelloweye rockfish, which are protected and must be released. The Brookings Fishing Charters fleet fishes shallow reefs for the rockfish so rockfish can be safely released without damage to the fish. The biggest lingcod also tend to be located in the rugged, jagged pinnacles of the shallow reefs, where they hide in crevices and ambush their main prey, rockfish, octopus and small flatfish.

Nice limits of lingcod from a long-range trip aboard the Nauti-Lady.

So far this season, the biggest lingcod landed on the Nauti-Lady was a 32-pounder. Lots of fish in the upper 20s have been caught on both the Nauti-Lady and Miss Brooke. During the wide-open bite near the lighthouse, up to a dozen legal-size lingcod have been released during a trip as the customers finish up their rockfish limits.

A nice king caught aboard the Miss Brooke in May. Ocean coho season opens June 7!

Ocean salmon season started out slow in May, which is typically the case. Mid-June through mid-July is the peak season for salmon out of Brookings. A number of coho salmon were released in May while the Brookings Fishing Charters fleet fished for king salmon. Coho season opens June 7. The ocean abundance forecast for coho salmon is more than half a million hatchery fish, which return to hatcheries on the Columbia and Snake rivers. Those fish spend the ocean portion of their life off the Southern Oregon Coast, and slowly migrate back to the rivers during the summer. Peak numbers of coho, also known as silver salmon, are feeding near Brookings early in the season, in June and the first half of July.

Capt. Chris holds a 65-pound halibut caught aboard the Miss Brooke in May 2025.

Halibut season opened May 1, with a few fish caught out of Brookings. The best fishing is later in June, July and August, as more halibut migrate in from deeper water. Halibut spawn in the Gulf of Alaska during the winter months, and then migrate closer to shore during the summer to feed on baitfish. Catch rates increase throughout the summer, as this fish move in from 1,000 feet of water during the spring to depths as shallow as 150 feet in mid summer.

A nice variety of rockfish are being caught this season near the Point St. George Reef Lighthouse.

With decades of Alaska fishing experience, the Brookings Fishing Charters crew is best chance for success for halibut out of Brookings, as the captains have developed custom rigs while fishing at anchor to maximize the odds of catch halibut off the Southern Oregon Coast.

Sport crabbing has been slow out of Brookings, which is normally the case in late spring and the start of summer. By mid-summer, crabbing improves, and remains an option during fishing charters.

To book an trip to the lighthouse, or a local rockfish, halibut or salmon charters, visit www.brookingsfishing.com, or call (541) 813-1082.

Here are some more catches from May with the Brookings Fishing Charters crew.

Point St. George Reef Lighthouse, Pacific halibut open May 1

BROOKINGS, Ore. (April 27, 2025) – The giant lingcod and rockfish inhabiting Point St. George Reef along the California-Oregon border have been off limits to sport anglers since last fall. When fishing re-opens near the lighthouse May 1, wide-open fishing is expected, as is typical for the fertile fishing grounds on what may be the best saltwater fishing outside of Alaska. The Brookings Fishing Charters fleet begins long-range trips to the reef on the May 1 opener, and will continue through September.

Three big lingcod caught as part of a triple hookup at Point St. George Reef a few seasons ago. The prolific reef re-opens to fishing May 1.

Pacific halibut season also opens May 1. While fish are caught from the beginning of the season until the Oct. 31 closure, the best fishing out of Brookings usually takes place in late June, July and August, as Pacific halibut mover closer to the shoreline to feed. During the peak season, the Brookings Fishing Charters fleet enjoys the well-earned reputation for the highest halibut catch rates out of Brookings.

Deckhand Eric holds a pair of halibut caught aboard the Miss Brooke last summer. Halibut season opens May 1 out of Brookings and runs through Oct. 31.

Another highly anticipated opener arrives May 16, when ocean salmon season begins. Anglers will be allowed to keep wild or hatchery king salmon until June 6, followed by a summer-long coho salmon season open through Aug. 24. The limit is two hatchery coho a day, and expectations are high, as the ocean abundance forecast for Columbia River hatchery coho is more than half a million fish. Those salmon, known as silver salmon, swim by the Brookings area as they migrate up the coast each summer on their way back to the Columbia, Willamette, Clackamas, Sandy and other rivers.

While we wait for the May 16 ocean salmon opener, the Brookings Fishing Charters crew has been targeting spring chinook salmon on the Rogue River. This nice springer was caught last week with Capt. Rye.

While anglers wait for the lighthouse, halibut and salmon openers, fishing has been good for lingcod on local half-day charters out of Brookings. During calm weather days, limits of rockfish and lingcod have been common. With plenty of lingcod near 20 pounds being caught, the lings are averaging 10 pounds. So far, this season has been better than recent years, with high catch rates for lingcod, and an excellent grade of rockfish.

Deckhand Eric Howard holds a 44-pound lingcod caught at Point St. George Reef by Rod Allec of Happy Camp, Calif.

Lighthouse area best bet for trophy lingcod

Quality lingcod are caught everyday close to Brookings, but the action at Point St. George Reef is unparalleled. Big lingcod inhabit the reef year round, with fish over 40 pounds caught each season.

The reef near the lighthouse also has a huge variety rockfish, with trophy-size canary, vermilion, black, copper, widow, tiger, blue and yellowtail rockfish, which can be kept, and big numbers of yelloweye and quillback rockfish, which are protected and cannot be retained. Limits of lunker rockfish are common.

A triple hookup in the shadow of Point St. George Reef Lighthouse aboard the Miss Brooke.

The big lingcod are the main target at the lighthouse. Fish to 50 pounds have been caught, and 20-pounders are brought over the rails almost every day. The extremely jagged reefs, with drastic depth changes and strong currents, are prime habitat for big lingcod. The Brookings Fishing Charters captains know where to find and how to catch these big lingcod, with large jigs and big baits used to entice them.

The Miss Brooke, Kraken and Nauti-Lady run trips to the lighthouse and Point St. George Reef. Lighthouse fishing trips are generally 8 hours. More about the lighthouse charters can be found here.

Halibut gets better as summer arrives

Although Pacific halibut season opens May 1, and plenty of fish will be caught on the opener, the best fishing is mid-June through September. Halibut spawn in deep water, upwards of 2,000 feet, during the winter in the Gulf of Alaska. The fish then move into shallower water to feed during the spring and summer, before migrating back offshore in the late fall. In May, most fish are in 300 to 500 feet of water. Some are already shallower, in the 180 to 220 feet of water most anglers target them out of Brookings. By early summer, more fish have moved into shallower water as bait arrives, and catch rates improve. The limit is two halibut per day. By July, anglers have a good chance at limits.

Rogue salmon action decent

Spring salmon are currently entering the Rogue River near Gold Beach. These fish, known as springers, arrive during the spring runoff, which historically allowed them to reach the headwaters, where they held all summer and spawned in early fall. Because they are in the river all summer, they are full of fat and oil, and when caught in the lower river are by far the best-tasting salmon of the year.

Capt. Rye has been focusing on the lower Rogue and has been catching nice springers. To book a trip, call (541) 813-1082.

Here are a few recent catches with Capt. Rye.

To book an ocean charter, or guided river trip, call (541) 813-1082 or visit www.brookingsfishing.com.

Here are a few recent catches from ocean charters out of Brookings.

Lingcod, rockfish biting between winter storms

BROOKINGS, Ore. (Jan. 2, 2025) – A brief weather window on New Year’s Eve, with a lull in the winter storms, allowed the Nauti-Lady to venture offshore for rockfish and lingcod, with steady action, a wide assortment of fish, and family fun to end 2024.

Happy New Year from the Brookings Fishing Charters crew.

Stormy weather kept the charter fleet at the docks most of December, but lighter winds and smaller swells provided an opportunity to get out on Dec. 31. Families from Eastern Washington, Sacramento and Canby, Ore., caught limits of rockfish, with some lingcod and cabezon mixed in. By the time the Nauti-Lady was back at the docks, windy, rainy, stormy weather had returned. Another break in the weather is expected this coming week, which should allow the Brookings Fishing Charters crew to get back on the ocean, while also starting the peak season of winter steelhead drift boat fishing on the Chetco and Smith rivers. The Brookings Fishing Charters team of saltwater charter boat captains are also river guides during the fall and winter months, when the ocean is too rough to fish.

Rockfish season is open year round in Oregon, and a nice variety of fish are available during the winter months. A couple of young anglers are all smiles after landing rockfish and cabezon.
Lingcod move into shallow water to spawn during the winter, making them easier to catch on light tackle.
Customers enjoy a beak in the weather New Year’s Day aboard the Nauti-Lady offshore of Brookings, Oregon.

Some of the best lingcod fishing of the year takes place during the winter months, as fish move into shallow water to spawn. Catch rates are often the highest of the year from January through April, during the peak of the spawning period. Rockfish season is open year round, and limits are common during the winter months.

The Brookings Fishing Charters crew uses light tackle to target rockfish and lingcod. Quality spinning combos make for exciting action once fish are hooked up. On a typical trip, anglers will start out with rockfish gear, and as limits are caught, switch over to bigger jigs to target lingcod.

A young angler takes the bat to her first-ever lingcod.
Fish on! a lingcod is brought to the surface with a light spinning rod.
Another lingcod caught New Year’s Eve aboard the Nauti-Lady.
Capt. Sam helps a young angler hold his first-ever lingcod.

To learn more about our year-round ocean charters, visit www.brookingsfishing.com. Learn more about guided river trips on the Chetco and Smith rivers at www.wildriversfishing.com.

Lingcod and rockfish season is open year round. Ocean salmon season generally runs late May through August. Final season dates are approved by federal fishery managers in April. The Point St. George Reef Lighthouse, home of our trophy lingcod and rockfish fishery, is set to open in May. Halibut season runs May 1-Oct. 31.

To book a trip, call (541) 813-1082.

If you haven’t checked out our recipe page, we post new recipes throughout the season. Our latest is Coconut-Crusted Lingcod with Sweet Chili Sauce. Check it out here.

Coconut-Crusted Lingcod and Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce.

For more great recipes, visit our recipe section.

Extra crispy beer-battered halibut.