Newport Bottomfish

[Salmonator]

Bottom fishing is still very good south of Newport. We didn't find much in the usual areas near the bar but they were thick in 100 feet of water off of Seal Rock. Three of us got limits of blacks, blues, 5 canaries, a quillback and three nice lings. Also picked up 10 crabs in the bay before we headed out. The fog was so thick that you couldn't see either jetty from the center of the channel at times and we didn't see more than 40 yards in front of the boat the 4 hours we were offshore. The ocean was flat as a pancake and if I would have planned it right might have gone out for tuna... Sal

Nice brace of fine fish Sal! But let me get this straight; you shot 5 yellow birds out there? I know, lame. Did you fish on the inside of the Seal Rocks? I have looked at that area a few times from the shore and thought I could launch a driftboat right off the beach and fish in there because that long stretch of rocks really protects it from swells and waves. BTW, the Amerman's weren't out there fishing for 'Nooks just off the surf with floats N eggs by any chance? Bet they'd hang right in there with the 'chovie moochers with those trick eggs . - RT

[wak'm&stak'm]

You must have been there Wednesday, so was I.I am suprised we didn't run into each other, because you are right the fog was real bad. We went to the rock pile and about ran up a draggers stern ramp on the way in. We were doing about 30mph when I barely saw prop wash before we were on them. If not for the GPS we would still be wondering around hee hee. Maybe radar will be next and the shopping list, but I need a bigger boat first.
There are still salmon on the pile but we are in for a weather change now. Oh the tuna that day were out about 45 miles acording to the charter boats.
RT, we have dove most the clse reefs and have launched form the beach. We even had the coastguard come once 27 years ago when I was 17. We went out and the wind came up while we were down and we swamped our row boat north of the lighthouse. It was a piece of poop dingy, and not worth anything. We were swimming in and when a plane of all things spotted the boat and then us. They couldn't tell we had wet suits on. When we got to the beach, here came the beach patrol and 2 cutters around Yaquinia head. After they talked to us they called and turned the helicoper around that was coming from Northbend. I was sure my Dad was going to skin me when he got this bill, but they just filled out a report and stuck the story in ever paper in the state. In fact the kid who was with me had his Grandma call to see if he was ok, and she read it in the Yakima paper.
I guess my point is ....take your wet suit with you, just in case.
Just an up date there are fish being caught in the bay and up river now and one guy on Tues. cuaght a 25 pounder and a 45 pound halibut just outside the bar.
While I am rambling I have another wierd one for ya. In 98' I was in 11ft of water just east of Riverbend (3 mile up stream from Newport) and was pulling a plug cut when the rod went over. I thought I had snagged a sturgeon but was I ever surprised to catch a 35 pound halibut up the bay. This is no bull and if I had a scanner I would show you the picture.
You just never know do Ya?
I have 3 days of trolling to do so I had best go jig some fresh herring since they are in the bay now, I will let you knw what happens........FISH ON ....

[Salmonator]

We were about a mile ocean side of the rocks, (well at least that's what the GPS said). No didn't see any Ammermans down there, if I did I would have hit him up for some of those eggs. Did you know that the guides choice (playdough) eggs are 18 bucks a quart now at GI Joes??? I need to hit the boss up for a raise to compensate for cost of fishing living...