Rockfishing off the coast near Half Moon Bay’s Pillar Point Harbor always promises a mix of adventure and surprise, and today’s trip was no exception. The weather was cooperative—a bit overcast with a light breeze, which kept the water reasonably calm. Perfect conditions to head out, drop some lines, and see what kind of rockfish we could bring up.
We started early, motoring out from the harbor as the fog was lifting. My setup for the day was pretty straightforward: a medium-action rod with a basic rig, just the kind that gives you control without losing sensitivity. Dropping down into 80-100 feet of water, it didn’t take long for that first bite. The first fish was a small black rockfish, not much over a pound, but a good start. After a quick release, I was ready for the next one.
Rockfishing can be hit or miss, especially near the bottom where the fish tend to hang out around rocky structures. Moving along a bit, I dropped again, feeling that familiar tap-tap as the weight settled. The next catch was a copper rockfish, putting up a decent fight as it came up from the depths. These fish don’t get huge, but they make up for it with their feisty pulls and striking colors. I’d say this one was just over a pound and a half, a solid keeper for the day.
As the morning went on, the action picked up a bit. Every few drops, I was pulling up rockfish, mostly in the smaller range—nothing too big, but plenty to keep things interesting. The variety kept me engaged, with some yellowtail rockfish joining the mix. Each one was unique in color, and while none of them were giants, they made for steady action.
Then, just as I was thinking about switching spots, I felt a stronger pull. This one had some weight to it. After a good bit of back-and-forth, I brought up a decent-sized vermilion rockfish. At close to 3 pounds, this was the highlight of the day, putting my rod to the test and adding some excitement. Vermilions are a prized catch in these waters, and seeing that deep red flash come up from the depths was satisfying.
As the sun got higher, the fish started to slow down a bit. Rockfish tend to scatter when the light hits the water directly, so I decided to try a few final drops in slightly deeper waters, around 120 feet. Managed to get one more keeper, a smaller brown rockfish, before calling it a day. Other anglers in the area seemed to be packing up too, with everyone bringing in a mix of rockfish, each with their own catch to show.
In total, I ended up with around six rockfish, a nice range from smaller black rockfish to the larger vermilion. It wasn’t a limit-out day, but there was enough action to keep me engaged, and that vermilion made it memorable. Rockfishing off Half Moon Bay is always a reliable choice if you’re after a mix of fish with some beautiful coastal views. The steady bites and occasional surprises make it worth the trip, and today’s haul was proof of that.
