Salmon outside the mouth of Pillar Point Harbor

I was at West Marine over the weekend and one of the old guys there was telling me that people were pulling Salmon up just outside the mouth of the harbor in between a red and green buoy.

I have not been outside Pillar point harbor, anyone know what the is tasing about?  Any truth to it?

Yes it is true. People catch salmon right outside the jaws, between the green and red cans, around the other green cans, and inside the harbor. However, I have fished there for salmon six times and only caught 1 shaker. I have always come home with something else for dinner though.

 If you go outside it is important to have a chart plotter so you can stay clear of the reefs, and rocks that break without warning.

Probably all the salmon released by Coastside salmon project that are now coming back. They even come inside the harbor.

They even come inside the harbor.

I've heard of people hooking up right outside the jaws, but not inside the harbor.

The shore fisherman get them inside the harbor, right in front of HMB kayaks (among other places).  It is kind of crazy -- the fish think they are coming home to spawn, but there is no river so they are out of luck.  Apparently some of them do join spawning runs into various area rivers, but I think most of them are there for either us or the sea lions.

Now is about the time I have seen them show up, so I am inclined to believe your rumor from West Marine staff.  Very fortuitous to have such good forecasts (other than smoke) right now.

Go gettum!

The shore fisherman get them inside the harbor, right in front of HMB kayaks (among other places).  It is kind of crazy -- the fish think they are coming home to spawn, but there is no river so they are out of luck.  Apparently some of them do join spawning runs into various area rivers, but I think most of them are there for either us or the sea lions.

Now is about the time I have seen them show up, so I am inclined to believe your rumor from West Marine staff.  Very fortuitous to have such good forecasts (other than smoke) right now.

Go gettum!

there's actually a small "river"/creek that empties into the harbor near the old pier. The coastside fish are definitely returning home, but I do wonder if they can smell the freshwater from that creek and use that as a homing point.