About Pilot Rock Hump

Pilot Rock Hump is a rocky pinnacle rising from the outer exposed seafloor off Eureka, California, with depths ranging from 330 to 1310 feet. The structure holds Lingcod, which peak from January through April and again in September, alongside aggregate Rockfish and Copper Rockfish that concentrate from May through September, plus Cabezon peaking in February and from April through June. Anglers work the rock with jigging using metal jigs, swimbaits, and leadhead jigs for Lingcod and Cabezon, while shrimp flies and swimbaits take rockfish over the same terrain. The pinnacle also draws Chinook and Coho Salmon from late spring into fall, targeted by trolling anchovies, herring, spoons, and hoochies through the upper water column. Pacific Halibut move across the area from March through August and respond to drift fishing with live baitfish, herring, and squid.