The salmon bite has been hit and miss the past few days. Over the weekend we finally saw the weather lay down and lots of private boats were out enjoying some time on the water and out of the heat and smoke of the Central Valley. Overall it sounds like most saw low single digit scores of plus minus a fish per rod. With the return of better weather we should see an uptick in scores as fresh fish push down off the North Coast. Jeff on the Samantha Irene reported 7 fish to 18 pounds for 4 anglers on Sunday. He was out in 200 feet of water off Elephant rockfish. That was a nice come back from the 3 salmon for 6 anglers to 21 pounds he reported on Saturday.
Rick on the New Sea Angler spent the weekend targeting rockfish and lings. On Saturday 8-11 Rick reported 36 limits of lings to 22 pounds and limits of vermilions, coppers and browns. On Sunday his 39 anglers landed 360 rockfish and a whopping 69 lings to 24 pounds. Rick said the sacks were all big at 50 plus pounds and bulging with big quality rockfish. Rick will be running some salmon and rockfish combos this week.

On Thursday 8-9 Rick on the New Sea Angler reported limits of big fat coppers, reds and browns adding 55 lings to 15 pounds. They had a couple of hour window to chase salmon and landed four to 26 pounds. The rockfish were found off Pt Reyes at one of Rick's favorite spots that he only hits so often. The salmon were found off Tomales.

On Wednesday 8-8 Rick reported 27 limits of rockfish adding 13 salmon to 20 pounds and 11 lings to 16 pounds fishing up north. Jeff on the Samantha Irene reported 5 salmon trolling in a wide area from the Whistle to Tomales Point in 80 to 160 feet of water. They found most of their action deep working the 120 to 180 depths on or near the bottom. There are scattered salmon being caught from the River to Elephant Rock with some private boats scratching out a couple of limits with most seeing a fish per rod. There is a commercial rumor that a school of big fish are pushing down from Point Arena. 

The salmon bite is heating back up. On Tuesday 8-7 Jeff on the Samantha Irene reported solid action. Fishing in 60 feet off the Russian river Jeff reported 6 limits of salmon to 21 pounds. All but two were in the 14 to 21 pound class. Jeff said the weather kicked their butts and they lost several big fish. Their best action was on hoochies and straight bait. The weather was decent in the morning but winds steadily built along the beach as the day wore on.
Other boats are reporting limits SW of Bodega Head in 90 feet and off Tomales Point.

The salmon bite was good this weekend despite the breezy conditions. Rick on the New Sea Angler reported 36 salmon for 25 anglers on a private charter on Saturday 8-4. Rick said they saw a mix grade with some running 5 to 10 and many others in the 15 to 20 plus pound class. They lost several big fish trolling we believe off Salmon Creek. On Sunday 8-5 Rick ran a combo trip. His 32 anglers landed full limits of rockfish adding 13 lings to 12 pounds. On the salmon front Rick said it was a slug fest. They hooked around 30 fish landing 15 salmon. Rick said the fish were just hot and full of fight and very hard to hand onto. We have not received a single private boater report is several days. Guys if you want info you have to share info.
Out of Lawson’s Landing in Tomales Bay, Willie Vogler reported the winds have kept most boats in the bay with the few boats making it outside picking up a few salmon from north of the head to Tomales Point. He said, “There was also a salmon caught at the Tomales Bay Bar and inside of the bay south of Hog Island. These were single fish found in the schools of anchovies, and there was even a 16-pound striped bass caught by a troller near Marshall this week.”
The one interesting note is the SST off the Sonoma coast. The past week of steady wind has dropped water temps to 49 to 50 degrees at the Bodega weather buoy. Considering that this is early August sub 50 is almost unheard of. Usually this time of year we are seeing SSTs of 57 to 60+. The good news is this will set the stage for good action in the coming weeks. This late in the year upwelling with keep the food chain healthy and attract and hold salmon in the area. With all the two year old fish being found along the Central Coast we could see a strong finish to the season this fall thanks to the NW winds we have seen this past week.  

Both Rick and Jeff have room this coming week. Jump on board while the fish are biting.  

Rick on the New Sea Angler is running captain's choice salmon / rockfish/ lings combos. 707 875-3344

Jeff has room on the Samantha Irene for salmon and rockfish trips. 707 245-1157