"We also have the option of running 30 or 40 miles up north to fish Port Orford or Cape Blanco," he said. "The best part about having these reefs so close is we are able to move from spot to spot each trip without putting too much pressure on the fish."

Anglers can target rockcod and lingcod during a four hour trip aboard the 30 foot Pacific Star or 27 foot Sea Sport. Both vessels are limited to six passengers, not including the deckhand. "We usually run two trips daily, but with angler interest and weather permitting, we can run a third trip in the afternoon," explained Lottis.

The cost of the trip includes the four hour trip with tackle, fish cleaning and a share or crab at the end of the trip. "We offer first class tackle, but if someone want to use their own gear, that is always welcomed," he tipped.

If you plan to use his gear, Lotis offers Penn 320 or Okuma CN45L reels spooled with 80 pound Power Pro braided line with an Okuma 30 to 80 pound test 7', medium-heavy rod.

"The braided line allows us for a better hook set since there is no stretch in the line, while the small diameter of the line allows the use of lighter jigs," he explained. "The medium-heavy rods have a soft tip for a good fight, but enough back bone to pull the big lingcod out of the rocks."

Tied onto the main line using a barrel or snap swivel is a 6 foot leader with 80 pound monofilament line. At the end of the leader, Lottis ties on a two hook shrimp fly rig with a grub tail. "If there are squid or octopus around, we'll use a white grub, but the most effective color to use is brown/root bear flake," revealed Lottis.

The boats have consistently returned with limits of rockfish and 1 to 2 lingcod per rod. "Since mid-February, we've been into the fish, catching a mixture of black, blue, copper and quillback rockfish," he said.

Over the past week, lingcod have moved into shallower water, making limits more common. "We're allowed to keep two fish over 24 inches, but we always encourage the release of big females," Mark added.

On Thursday, June 24, Mark ran a combo trip for rockcod and Pacific halibut. "The four guys with me boated full limits of assorted rockfish, along with limits (one each) of halibut to 45 pounds," he explained.

"I ran a salmon combo trip last week during the afternoon and we caught limits of bottomfish and 2 big salmon," added Lottis. "Just in case the ocean is too rough, we have the option of running our river boats in the Rogue River Estuary for salmon."