(From Fish & Game 3/13/26)
Recreational ocean salmon fishing will begin April 11, 2026 in waters south of Pigeon Point, San Mateo County, to the U.S./Mexico border. This fishery will be managed with a 21,000 Chinook salmon harvest guideline. The guideline applies to all open dates currently planned or under consideration for the April through August time period in this area. Federal and State Fishing regulators will decide when the season is officially over in their meetings in April/May.
During the April 11 recreational ocean salmon fishing opener:
Fishing will be allowed seven days per week
Minimum size limit is 24 inches total length
Bag and possession limit is two fish per person
Here’s what this means for us on the MEGA-BITE:
Extremely Limited Salmon Opportunity
With a quota of only 21,000 fish, this year’s recreational salmon season is expected to be very short. A lot of boats will be fishing hard to get their trips in before the quota is reached, and some believe the season could close within just a few weeks once that happens. Weather will also play a major role in how many days we’re actually able to get out to the salmon grounds.
If you already have a salmon charter booked and weather keeps us from reaching the salmon grounds—or if the season closes before your trip—we’ll still make sure you have a great day on the water. In that case, we’ll target the next best available option: lingcod, petrale sole, rockfish, or halibut. Your charter price will be adjusted accordingly. Our goal is simple: we want everyone going home with fish.
Why Salmon Fishing on the MEGA-BITE Is So Special
We target wild King Salmon, also known as Chinook Salmon. If you’ve never gone head-to-head with a fresh ocean King, it’s an experience you’ll never forget. They fight hard, they taste incredible, and they’re one of the most prized fish on the coast.
We troll with the boat moving between 2 and 4 miles per hour, depending on the bite, and fish with up to eight rods in the water at the same time. When a salmon hits, the quick-release system pops the line free from the downrigger cable, and now it’s you versus the fish. Meanwhile, all the other rods stay fishing—which means it’s not uncommon to get a second, third, or even fourth hookup going all at once.
We’ve had double, triple, and even quad hookups using this technique. It’s controlled chaos. It’s wild. And it’s a whole lot of fun.
What You Can Expect
Each angler may keep up to two salmon.
Most of the salmon we bring back range from 4 to 30 pounds, and our biggest King to date weighed an impressive 42 pounds.
Will you take salmon home from your trip? We sure hope so. While no captain can ever guarantee fish, we do everything possible to find the schools, stay on the bite, and put fish in the boat. Captain Tom has over 20 years of experience as a charter captain and more than 25 years as a commercial salmon fisherman. That kind of experience matters—and it gives you a real good shot at going home with salmon.
