Albacore runs and cooling water mark the early October coast
The water at NOAA CO-OPS station 9416841 read 55.4°F at 10:24 p.m. PDT on October 5. Western Outdoor News reports that Eureka's recent albacore run was about size more than numbers: most fish were 25 pounds or better, some pushing 40, spread along the 125-line from the 46-line down to the 38-line, along a hard break. The same outlet's Santa Cruz report calls nearshore fishing very good and says big bluefin are a real possibility once the weather calms.
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The next low is at 2:23 a.m. PDT and the next high at 9:07 a.m. PDT on October 6 at station 9416841, with Crescent City's high (station 9418767) about 40 minutes later at 9:49 a.m. PDT. Plan the first part of the morning around that rise.
If the Eureka albacore are still on that break, it is the edge to check first on a return trip, and a building afternoon breeze is the signal to head in. Santa Cruz is the one to watch next: the bluefin chance there depends on the weather settling, so a calm stretch is the moment to move.
Context
Water in the mid-50s°F is typical for the Northern California coast in early October as the cooling season sets in, so the temperature looks on schedule rather than early.
Fall is when albacore and bluefin push along the coast. Albacore typically peak on the North Coast through the fall, so the Eureka run sits in its expected window. Check state regs before harvesting any species.
Synthesized from real-time NOAA buoy data, USGS stream gauges, and current reports across regional fishing blogs, captain updates, and angler forums. Check local regulations before keeping fish. Never trust a single source for a trip decision.
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