4-Hour Nearshore Bottomfish Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday nearshore bottomfish trips with morning and afternoon optionsNearly guaranteed lingcod catches with 9 bottomfish limit per guestSeason runs March 8th through October 18th for optimal fishing
Looking for a quick fishing fix without burning your whole day? This half-day nearshore bottomfish trip is exactly what you need. Whether you're squeezing in some fishing before work or want to hit the water after lunch, we've got morning and afternoon slots that work with your schedule. Four hours on the water targeting some of the tastiest fish swimming, and you'll be back on shore with enough fresh catch for tacos or a proper family fish fry. Best part? Lingcod are practically jumping in the boat out here, so you're almost guaranteed to go home with fish in the cooler.
This trip runs from March through mid-October, hitting prime bottomfish season when these fish are hungry and aggressive. We're talking about fishing in 60 to 150 feet of water, close enough to shore that you won't spend half your trip just getting to the fishing grounds. The boat stays steady over rocky structure and kelp beds where bottomfish love to hang out, and you'll be dropping heavy jigs and bait rigs right down to where the fish live. It's a relaxed pace - no rushing, no crowding - just you working the bottom for some seriously good eating fish. We fish until you hit your limit of 9 bottomfish or the four hours are up, whichever comes first. Most days, the fish cooperate and you'll max out before time runs out.
We're fishing straight bottom tactics here - heavy jigs, bait rigs loaded with squid or anchovies, and enough weight to get down fast in the current. You'll be working 16 to 32-ounce sinkers depending on conditions, bouncing them off the rocks and kelp where lingcod and rockfish patrol for their next meal. The rods are stout enough to haul up big lingcod from deep water, and the reels have the drag to stop them when they try to wrap you around a rock. No finesse needed - this is power fishing at its finest. Drop it down, feel for the bottom, and work that bait or jig with short hops and long pauses. When a lingcod grabs your offering, you'll know it immediately. They hit hard and don't let go, making for some serious arm-burning fights on the way up.
Lingcod are the stars of this show, and for good reason. These aggressive predators grow big, fight hard, and taste amazing on the dinner table. They're ambush hunters that sit motionless on rocky ledges waiting for prey to swim by, then explode into action with lightning speed. You'll find them from 15 to 40 pounds out here, with their massive mouths full of sharp teeth and attitude to match. Spring and early summer are prime time when they're shallow and feeding heavily after spawning. What makes lingcod so exciting is their unpredictability - one minute your bait is sitting quietly on the bottom, the next you're getting your arms stretched by a fish that has zero intention of coming up easy.
Canary rockfish are another customer favorite, and once you taste them, you'll understand why. These bright orange beauties live around rocky pinnacles and drop-offs in 100 to 300 feet of water, making them perfect targets for our nearshore trips. They average 2 to 5 pounds with excellent white, flaky meat that's perfect for fish tacos or grilling whole. Canary rockfish are curious and often travel in small schools, so when you find one, there are usually more nearby. They're most active during summer months when water temperatures warm up, and they're known for their aggressive strikes on both bait and jigs.
Yellowtail rockfish add some serious pulling power to your day, averaging 3 to 8 pounds with streamlined bodies built for speed. They prefer deeper water around underwater structure, often suspending mid-water rather than hugging the bottom like other rockfish species. These fish are strongest in late spring through early fall, and they're absolute bulldogs when hooked. Their firm, mild flesh makes excellent fish and chips or pan-fried fillets, and they're one of the most consistent biters in our area.
Black rockfish round out the mixed bag, typically running 2 to 4 pounds with excellent table quality. They're the most common rockfish in our nearshore waters, living around kelp beds and rocky reefs from the surface down to 200 feet. Black rockfish are opportunistic feeders that hit everything from small jigs to cut bait, making them perfect for keeping the action steady throughout the trip. They're available year-round but fish best from late spring through early fall when they're actively feeding in shallower water.
Pacific sanddabs might be the smallest fish in our mixed bag at 1 to 2 pounds, but don't let their size fool you. These flatfish are considered a delicacy by those in the know, with sweet, delicate meat that's prized in high-end restaurants. They live on sandy bottoms adjacent to rocky areas, often in 60 to 180 feet of water. Sanddabs are most active during summer months, and they're perfect for light tackle fishing when the bite slows down for larger species. Many anglers specifically target them for their exceptional eating quality.
This trip delivers exactly what it promises - fresh, local bottomfish in your cooler without eating up your entire day. With flexible morning and afternoon departure times, you can fit world-class nearshore fishing into almost any schedule. The 9-fish limit means you're going home with enough quality protein for multiple meals, and the variety keeps things interesting from the first drop to the last fish in the boat. Season runs through October, so don't wait too long to get your spot locked in. These half-day trips fill up fast, especially on weekends, and the best fishing windows book first. Ready to get some fresh fish on
Meet our reliable 1972 31-foot Uniflight sportfishing boat, your ticket to productive nearshore bottomfish action. This classic vessel comfortably handles up to six anglers with twin Crusader 250hp engines that cruise at 22 mph, getting you to the fishing grounds fast and back to the dock with your catch. The flybridge gives your captain excellent visibility to spot productive water and navigate safely. Down below, there's a head for convenience during your 4-hour trip. Built for serious fishing, this boat has been putting anglers on lingcod and bottomfish for decades. Whether you're targeting your 9-fish limit or just want some fresh fish for dinner, she'll get you there and back with room for everyone to fish comfortably.
Sebastes MelanopsBlack rockfish are solid fighters with dark gray to black coloring that lightens as they age. They average 4-5 pounds but can hit 11 pounds and live up to 50 years. These aggressive feeders hang around rocky reefs, jetties, and nearshore structure, sometimes venturing as deep as 1,200 feet. They're not picky eaters and will hit just about anything you put in front of them. What guests love is how reliably they bite and how good they taste. The firm white meat makes great fish and chips. Watch out for their venomous spines - they won't kill you but they hurt. During our March-October season, medium tackle with jigs works great. My tip: use some weight to get your bait down to their level, and anchovies or sardines work well for bait.
Sebastes PinnigerCanary rockfish are beautiful fish with bright yellow-orange fins and distinctive orange stripes across their heads. Most run 20-23 inches, though we've seen some push 30 inches. They gather in loose schools over rocky bottoms and feed on everything from anchovies to krill. What makes them special is their longevity - these fish can live up to 75 years, so you're catching something that's been around. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. During our March-October season, look for them around rocky structure in deeper water. Pro tip: use a descending device if you're releasing them, as they can suffer from pressure changes when brought up quickly. Their population has recovered nicely after being overfished, so it's a real success story.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod aren't actually cod at all - they're greenlings with attitude. These gnarly fish have massive heads, wicked sharp teeth, and mottled coloring that helps them ambush prey from rocky lairs. Females get big, often over two feet, while males stay smaller. They're lazy hunters that lie on the bottom waiting for food to come by, but once hooked, they'll fight you instead of running. Found around rocky reefs from 30-300 feet, they love areas with strong currents. March through October is prime time, and guests love them because they're aggressive biters and make excellent eating. The meat is firm and flaky. My tip: use heavy braided line since they live in rocky terrain, and metal jigs work great. They'll grab almost anything that moves.
Citharichthys SordidusPacific sanddabs are flatfish that lie on sandy and muddy bottoms, perfectly camouflaged as they wait for prey to swim by. Most are under a pound, though they can reach 16 inches and 2 pounds. Both eyes are on the left side, and they can change colors to match their surroundings instantly. Unlike other flatfish, sanddabs are surprisingly quick and agile swimmers. They're found from 30 feet down to over 1,000 feet, though they go deeper in winter. What makes them popular is the incredible eating - lean, firm meat with a nutty-sweet taste that's considered a delicacy. The skin tastes great too, almost like French fries. Use light tackle with small hooks (size 6-8) and smelly bait like cut squid. They hunt by scent, so the stinkier the better.
Sebastes FlavidusYellowtail rockfish are easy to spot with their bright yellow tail fins and greenish-brown bodies that fade to white underneath. Most average 11-13 inches, though some reach 25 inches. They school up over rocky areas and can handle depths from shallow water down to 1,800 feet. What's cool about yellowtails is they don't suffer barotrauma like other rockfish - they can release gas from their swim bladders, so they handle being brought up just fine. The meat is flaky with a mild, sweet flavor that's perfect for fish tacos. They're active during the day and pretty sluggish at night. During our season, target them with conventional tackle and a long leader setup. A float above your top hook works well since they often suspend in the water column.
Washington