About Wash Rock Hump

Wash Rock Hump is a rocky pinnacle rising from the outer, exposed waters off Half Moon Bay, with depths running 40 to 80 feet across its structure. The pinnacle holds lingcod, which peak in February through March and again from August through October, alongside aggregate rockfish that peak from May through September and black rockfish that peak in March and May through September. Anglers work the rock with jigging using metal jigs, leadhead jigs with swimbaits, or shrimp flies for lingcod, while bait fishing with squid, anchovies, or sardines takes rockfish holding tight to the pinnacle. California halibut move through in the warmer months, peaking April through August, and respond to drift fishing with live anchovies, live smelt, or squid along the edges of the structure. The exposed position and hard bottom concentrate fish on and around the high spots, making the depth breaks along the pinnacle the primary focus.