Fishing Winter Uglys

[Nocturnus]

I have recently been turned on to the fact that the rock fishery is pretty good all year round on some parts of our coast. After a successful introduction to chucking plastics for rock fish, I am very keen on repeating the experience! Is there anyone out there who is really familiar with winter hot-spots (boated or otherwise...but preferably boated)? As an aside, I am almost exclusively a catch-and-release fisherman, but I will take a fish now and then if I can foresee an immediate use for it (like I am going to eat it tonight, or tomorrow!).

Any info would be much appreciated!

-Nocturnus

[Tinman]

Originally Posted by Nocturnus

I have recently been turned on to the fact that the rock fishery is pretty good all year round on some parts of our coast. After a successful introduction to chucking plastics for rock fish, I am very keen on repeating the experience! Is there anyone out there who is really familiar with winter hot-spots (boated or otherwise...but preferably boated)? As an aside, I am almost exclusively a catch-and-release fisherman, but I will take a fish now and then if I can foresee an immediate use for it (like I am going to eat it tonight, or tomorrow!).

Any info would be much appreciated!

-Nocturnus

Which part of the coast are you on? Black rockfish are very easy to catch throughout the winter, and to a lesser extent, so are lingcod. The trick is to find days when the ocean is calm enough. Such days are very few and far between, amounting to just a handful through the winter. Find a rocky reef, throw some leadheads with plastic tails and you should be in business.

[Megabites]

Bottom fishing dosen't really change for the time of year in my experience. What makes more of a difference is water currents and temp. A sharp change down in water temp tends to put the fish of the bite for a bit as does really cold water. Just last winter I caught fish and got snowed on in the ocean so you can get them about anytime. A good sonar and gps are the tickets to bottom fishing. If you don't catch fish then move. They will be there somewhere.

[KeyWest]

As mentioned, it's good all winter on the North coast - as long as you can get out. If you can't, there are spots in the river that can be quite good. Where are you looking to fish?

[Baxter]

I got out today from Depoe. Had a day off coincide with a decent weather prediction and it all came together very nicely for me and a couple of the guys from the (underemployed) chain gang. Nobody else in sight, light breeze, sunshine, lots of fish. I see that as of now there's a gale watch on for tomorrow so we hit it just right.

I got this ling in about 40 feet of water with my little Peerless No.9 and bendy stik to match. Feeshy had me convinced he was much bigger than he turned out to be. Still very edible, after brushing the fleas off. Sorry about the dopey look on my face but I was pretty much born that way.

[Nocturnus]

Wow that one is almost identical to the one I tagged in Reedsport the other day (in like 15 ft of water). I'd be down if you've got an empty seat next time you go out!!!!!!! I've got all my own tackle (both salt and fresh) and would be willing to pitch in for gas/food.

-Nocturnus

[Nocturnus]

Originally Posted by KeyWest

As mentioned, it's good all winter on the North coast - as long as you can get out. If you can't, there are spots in the river that can be quite good. Where are you looking to fish?

I actually lack a locale, hence why I am asking you guys! I'm most interested in lings but I would love to spend the day hanging rockfish or sole!

-Nocturnus