Pacific Wreck Fishing: Rockfish & Halibut
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Target Rockfish and Pacific Halibut in Pacific watersEquipment and fish cleaning services provided by captainSmall group fishing experience with maximum 4 guests
When you're looking for some of the best bottom fishing the Pacific has to offer, wreck fishing is where it's at. There's something special about dropping your line over a sunken structure and knowing that monster rockfish and Pacific halibut are lurking in the shadows below. With Stackhouse Guide Service, you'll fish prime wreck sites where the action stays hot from spring through winter. Our captains know these underwater structures like the back of their hand, and they'll put you right on top of fish that have been feeding and growing fat around these artificial reefs for years.
This is a small-boat experience with just four anglers max, which means you're not fighting crowds at the rail and everyone gets personal attention from the captain. We'll cruise out to productive wreck sites where the bottom structure holds serious fish. These aren't your typical rocky reefs – we're talking sunken vessels, concrete structures, and other man-made habitat that draws rockfish like magnets. The captain provides all your tackle and will handle the messy work of cleaning your catch, so you can focus on what matters most: getting fish in the boat. Trips typically run eight hours, giving you plenty of time to work multiple wrecks and target different species as conditions allow.
Wreck fishing is all about precision and knowing how to work the structure without losing gear. We use heavy sinkers to punch through the current and get your bait right down into the zone where the big fish live. The captain will position the boat perfectly so you can drop straight down along the wreck walls where rockfish stack up in schools. We're talking about fishing in 100 to 300 feet of water, so this isn't light tackle stuff – you need backbone to pull these fish up from the depths. For halibut, we'll sometimes drift with bigger baits across sandy areas adjacent to the wrecks. The key is reading the fish finder and understanding how different species relate to the structure at different times of day.
Canary Rockfish are the bread and butter of Pacific wreck fishing. These bright orange beauties grow big around wrecks, with fish in the 3 to 8 pound range being common. They're aggressive feeders that hit hard and fight well on the way up. Canaries school up in huge numbers around vertical structure, and when you find them, you can fill the cooler fast. They're excellent eating with white, flaky meat that's perfect for fish and chips or grilling.
Lingcod are the apex predators of these wrecks, and hooking into a big ling is what keeps anglers coming back. These fish can push 20 pounds or more, with massive mouths full of teeth that'll grab anything that moves. Lingcod like to sit in caves and crevices in the wreck structure, ambushing smaller fish. When you hook one, expect a bulldogging fight as they try to get back into their hole. The meat is firm and white, considered by many to be the best eating fish in the Pacific.
Blue Rockfish are smaller but make up for it in numbers and aggression. These dark-colored rockfish often school in massive numbers around wrecks, creating non-stop action when you locate them. They're perfect for kids or anyone who just wants to catch fish all day. Blues typically run 1 to 3 pounds and are fantastic in fish tacos or fish stew.
Pacific Halibut are the true prizes of these trips. While not as common as rockfish, when you hook a barn door halibut that's been living around these wrecks, you've got yourself a fish of a lifetime. Halibut can exceed 100 pounds, though fish in the 20 to 40 pound range are more typical. They're ambush predators that lie flat on sandy bottom near structure, waiting for baitfish to swim by. The fight is different from rockfish – more of a heavy, stubborn battle that tests your endurance.
Black Rockfish round out the species mix and are some of the most consistent fighters you'll encounter. These fish have a bit more speed than other rockfish species and will make runs when hooked. They're excellent table fare and commonly run 2 to 6 pounds around productive wrecks. Blacks often suspend in the water column around the wreck rather than hugging the bottom like other rockfish.
The season runs from May through December, with each month offering something different. Spring and fall tend to produce the biggest lingcod, while summer brings consistent rockfish action. The beauty of wreck fishing is that it's productive all season long – these structures always hold fish. With only four spots available per trip, these dates fill up fast, especially on weekends. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for your next personal best or someone who just wants to experience world-class Pacific bottom fishing, this trip delivers the goods. Book now and get ready to see why wreck fishing has such a devoted following among serious Pacific coast anglers.
Jump aboard our well-equipped motorboat for a productive day targeting rockfish and Pacific halibut around the Pacific's prime wreck sites. This 4-person vessel comes rigged with GPS navigation to pinpoint the best fishing spots and a spacious ice box to keep your catch fresh. The captain handles all the gear and will clean your fish at the end of the day, so you can focus on what matters most - getting lines in the water. These wrecks hold some serious fish, and the Pacific delivers consistent action from May through December. Whether you're after those tasty rockfish hiding in the structure or hoping to boat a barn door halibut, this boat gets you to where the fish are biting. Perfect setup for a solid day on the water with room for your crew to fish comfortably.
Sebastes MelanopsBlack rockfish are aggressive feeders that average 4-5 pounds but can reach over 10. They're dark gray to black (sometimes turning lighter with age) and have a bass-like shape with venomous spines. You'll find them around rocky reefs, jetties, and kelp beds from shallow water down to 400 feet. May through December is prime season when they're actively hunting. Guests love them because they're not picky eaters and fight hard for their size. They also make excellent table fare. These fish school with other rockfish species and move with the baitfish, so look for bird activity. My tip: use medium jigs and work them aggressively near structure. Black rockfish respond to action, and they'll often hit on the drop or during fast retrieves when other rockfish won't.
Sebastes MystinusBlue rockfish have a distinct rounded, oval shape that sets them apart from other rockfish species. They're typically blue-black to gray with some mottling, averaging around 16-18 inches. You'll find them schooling over rocky reefs and in kelp forests, anywhere from 20 feet down to 300+ feet. March through December offers the best fishing when they're actively feeding on plankton and small fish. What makes them popular is they're eager biters and form large schools, so once you locate them, the action stays hot. They're also excellent table fare. One thing to remember - these schools move constantly, so when you mark fish, get your lines down immediately. Octopus-style lures with a piece of squid work great, and don't forget the descending device for safe releases.
Sebastes PinnigerCanary rockfish are beautiful fish with bright yellow-orange coloring and distinctive head stripes that make them easy to spot in the cooler. They average 20-23 inches but can reach 30 inches. You'll find them schooling over rocky bottoms in deeper water, usually 100-300 feet down. May through December is prime time when they're most active and feeding well. What makes them special is they readily take bait and lures, plus they're excellent eating with firm white meat. These fish can live up to 75 years, so you're catching something truly seasoned! Pro tip: when you find a school, work fast with rubber-tail jigs or shrimp flies - they'll move on quickly, but while they're there, the action can be non-stop.
Ophiodon ElongatusDespite the name, lingcod aren't actually cod but aggressive predators with massive mouths full of sharp teeth. They're ambush hunters that lie motionless on rocky bottoms waiting to grab anything that swims by. You'll find them in 30-300 feet around reefs and kelp beds. Females get huge - over 2 feet is common, with monsters reaching 60+ inches. The season runs May through December when they're most cooperative. What guests love is their nasty attitude - they'd rather fight than flee, making for exciting battles. The meat is fantastic too, firm and white. Here's the key: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and reel fast. They'll try to wrap you around the rocks, but if you can get them up quickly, they usually come without much of a scrap.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the ultimate prize fish - these massive flatfish can reach 8 feet and over 400 pounds, though most trips land 20-100 pounders. They're bottom dwellers living in 150-500 feet over sandy and muddy areas near structure. Summer months are prime time when they move shallower to feed heavily on cod, salmon, and crabs. What makes halibut fishing special is the anticipation - you never know if that tap is a 20-pounder or a barn door. Plus, there's no better eating fish in the ocean. The meat is pure white, flaky, and mild. My go-to technique is bouncing heavy jigs or big baits like salmon heads right on the bottom. Keep that rod tip moving - halibut like movement, and a twitching bait triggers their predatory instincts better than dead-sticking it.
Fortuna, CA