September 2026

California sheephead fishing combines rocky reefs, kelp beds, natural bait, bottom-oriented presentations, wet boat decks, and powerful fish that frequently try to reach nearby structure after being hooked. For Southern California anglers, sheephead are a distinctive reef species commonly associated with productive hard-bottom environments. Anglers may search for them around: A typical sheephead fishing trip…

Pacific cod fishing combines deep-water bottom fishing, metal jigs, bait, cool marine weather, wet working decks, and long periods standing on hard boat surfaces. For anglers fishing in northern Pacific waters, conditions may involve: Pacific cod may be encountered around bottom structure and offshore areas where anglers use vertical presentations to reach fish near the…

Pink salmon fishing combines fast seasonal action, cool coastal weather, casting, trolling, wet boats, rain, fish slime, and long days spent moving between productive salmon areas. Also called humpback salmon or humpies, pink salmon are among the most recognizable Pacific salmon species. Boat anglers may encounter pink salmon in suitable seasons around: When fish are…

Chum salmon fishing combines cool weather, rain, cold water, wet aluminum boats, muddy launches, fish slime, and powerful salmon that can create surprisingly demanding fights. Also known as keta salmon or dog salmon, chum salmon are found throughout northern Pacific waters and are particularly associated with Alaska, Washington, and other Pacific Northwest fisheries. Depending on…

Sockeye salmon fishing combines cold water, rain, wet boat decks, early-morning launches, fish slime, muddy access areas, and some of the busiest seasonal salmon fisheries in North America. Also called red salmon, sockeye are famous for large seasonal migrations and are particularly important in Alaska and parts of the Pacific Northwest. Depending on location and…

Pacific halibut fishing combines deep water, heavy sinkers, large bait rigs, cool ocean temperatures, wet offshore decks, and powerful fish that may require extended fights from the bottom. For many anglers, a halibut trip is one of the most physically demanding bottom-fishing experiences on the Pacific Coast. Pacific halibut may be targeted from boats in…

Dungeness crab fishing combines heavy crab pots, wet rope, fish bait, cold seawater, rain, slippery docks, muddy boat ramps, and some of the messiest working conditions found in recreational West Coast fishing. For many anglers, crabbing begins before the boat ever leaves the marina. A typical trip may involve: Water may constantly move across the…

Chinook salmon fishing combines heavy trolling gear, bait, downriggers, cool marine weather, rain, wet boat decks, and powerful fish capable of long runs around the boat. Also widely called king salmon, Chinook are among the most sought-after salmon species in North America. Boat anglers may target them around: A typical Chinook fishing trip may begin…

Coho salmon fishing combines cool coastal weather, trolling, mooching, bait, rain, fish slime, long periods of standing, and wet Pacific Northwest boat decks. Also known as silver salmon, coho may be targeted in marine and coastal environments around: A typical coho salmon trip may begin early in the morning when the marina is still dark…