2017 Brookings ocean charter season begins (March 4, 2017 fishing report)

After one of the roughest, stormiest winters in recent memory, the ocean out of the Port of Brookings Harbor on the Southern Oregon Coast has finally begun to settle down, allowing the first charter boat trips of the year.
So far this season, fishing for lingcod and rockfish has been good. The lingcod are in shallow water spawning right now, so we don't have to go out very far to catch them.
Rockfish of all sizes also are being found in abundant numbers from just past Chetco Point on up to Bird Island, Twin Rocks, House Rock and beyond.
Brookings Fishing Charters ran a couple of trips in late February. The first trip of the season was a huge success, with limits of lingcod and rockfish. The action was fast, with a good grade of big black rockfish and nice lings. The second trip took place on a marginal weather day, and despite white caps and a strong southerly wind, we were able to get limits of rockfish. Fishing for lings was tough, however, as we were not able to get very far past the jetties.
Crabbing also is off to a good start. We will be dropping crab pot during our charters for a nice crab/lingcod/rockfish combo.
Remember, we have new rockfish regulations this season. The lingcod limit remains two, while the rockfish seven-fish-limit has a number of sub-limits. Anglers can keep up to six black rockfish per day, seven canary rockfish, and a four-fish mix of blues, Chinas, quillback and copper rockfish. The limit also can include up to seven vermilion rockfish. Again, the total rockfish limit is seven fish in combination, and also includes kelp greenling and cabezon.
We will find out in April what the salmon regulations will be this summer. Early word is we will have some kind of ocean king season in May and June.
Let us know if you want to get on the calendar for this spring and summer. Visit www.brookingsfishing.com or call (541) 813-1082.
Looking forward to seeing you on the water.
- Capt. Andy Martin
Brookings Fishing Charters.

Here are a few photos from our first charters of the season.

A nice green-colored lingcod from our first charter of the season in February 2017.

How's this for an early season lingcod?

A nice limit of lingcod and rockfish.

A dandy lingcod from the first charter of the season out of Brookings, Oregon.

Capt. Andy holds a nice lingcod from the start of our 2017 ocean charter season.

Some nice rockfish are being caught already out of the Port of Brookings Harbor.

A double of nice rockfish.

We specialize in light-tackle lingcod and rockfish charters.

We are finding a god grade of rockfish already.