(Berkeley) Toxin levels in northern California crabs are approaching the acceptable range and anglers are hopeful that the season will open soon. The rockfish and lingcod bite outside the Golden Gate remains excellent both at the Farallon Island and along the Marin County coastline.
“We continue doing what we’ve been doing, basically getting limits of rockfish and limits to near limits of lings either at the islands or up along the north coast,” related California Dawn relief skipper Chris Smith. “The quality is there. The rockfish are chunky and we are seeing plenty of double digit lings. The problem has been a general lack of interest. Crowds have been light. Folks want crabs. Until crabbing opens I think it’s going to be slow going in terms of angler interest.”
The story is much the same for skippers operating out of the Emeryville Sportfishing Center. Rockfish and lingcod action is excellent when they can put together enough anglers to justify taking a trip.
On the New Salmon Queen’s most recent trip the 16 anglers aboard brought up full limits of rockfish and 35 lings to 25 pounds.