Declining salmon runs and short seasons have reduced the once huge charter fleet to a mere shadow of its former glory. The few skippers that have survived the economic hard times did so by turning to rockfish to extend their season. Now, Westport might well call itself the rockfish capitol of the world. Innovative skippers like Shane Guile of the Lady Dee explored the region locating fertile rockfish grounds, which until recently, were untapped by sport anglers. Today a fleet of more than 30 charter boats ply the waters for a mixed bag of rockfish and lingcod.
Limits are the rule with most anglers taking their daily limit of rockfish and lingcod.
While most of the action here is on charter boats, private boaters can reach the rockfish if they pay attention to bar conditions and don't venture out on unsettled days. Unlike many prime rockfish locals, Westport does not feature miles of rocky ridges and pinnacles. Much of the bottom here is smooth sand and mud - hardly typical rockfish habitat. The key to rockfish success at Westport is locating the rocky structure dispersed over a wide area. Veteran Westport bottomfish captains keep a little black book that holds the Loran C numbers for dozens of top rockfish producers.