Rockfish: A Black Bass Bonanza
We’d already had an epic day on the water catching big halibut and wrestling with several stout, toothy lingcod. In search of silvers, we drifted in Yakutat Bay deploying metal jigs and cut-plug herring to entice some salty coho.
In the distance we spotted some bird activity, followed by several salmon jumping clear of the water. Quickly we retrieved our lines and raced to the spot. As soon as the iron hit the water, the rod bent. A few seconds later a black rockfish broke the surface, followed by several others. On the next drop, another black rockfish ate the bait and then all hell broke loose.
At least 50 of them came to the surface in a shower of spray. Action was non stop as the anglers aboard the Happy Hooker brought keeper black bass over the rail. The largest weighed five pounds. On one drop, a large black rockfish ate the jig, while another laid on top of it, trying to eat the jig from its mouth. It was a wide open black bass bite.We sent an underwater camera down and got a look at the massive school of black rockfish. What an amazing experience!
Black rockfish are a very common species of pelagic fish in Alaska. They are fun to catch on light tackle, are very good to eat and are widespread across the Greatland’s saltwater. Currently in Yakutat, non-pelagic rockfish must be released, so our healthy population of pelagic black rockfish allows us to target these fish when you go out on the saltwater while staying at Yakutat Lodge.
Now is a great time of year to visit Yakutat Lodge. You can fish for halibut, lingcod, black rockfish and silver salmon in Yakutat Bay, or head to the Situk River to fish for silvers and Dolly Varden char. We’ve got room for you, come out and experience what makes Yakutat Lodge one of the best lodges in the state of Alaska.
