Depoe Bay Thursday - Clarity Report (with pix)

radiodog · 07-14-2006, 11:22 AM

My, oh my, oh my!

What a spectacular day on the ocean it was yesterday. Unbelievable. Launched out of Depoe Bay just before 6am and headed West with Capt'n Chris, Mark & Rich for the boat's first TUNA! trip of the year... and what a trip it was!

Three of us had just worked the graveyard shift and drove straight from work, over the hill, to spend a much anticipated day on the salt. Rich was the only night-sleeper among us... not only is Rich a kick-in-the-pants to fish with, we thought it a good idea to have somebody with a little sleep under their belt along. Saw our first Tuna jump in 60 degree blue water at 24 miles out, and dropped our gear. Didn't hook anything there, but we had seen our prey and we were STOKED! After a little while without any further sign, we decided to pull up and head further out. dropped lines again in 62 degree water about 31 miles out, and began our serious hunt. Oh BOY!

As we were patiently awaiting our first reel's scream, we were listening to some radio chatter about an out-of-control red hot bite ("Sorry, I can't talk now - We got a triple", etc...). Capt'n Chris got on the horn and asked those fine, fine gents where they happened to be, and I believe that it was Sea Lion who was generous with some numbers. Turns out, they were only 4 or 5 miles north of us, so we figured we'd make a quick drive up. When we got close enough to see their boats, we dropped our lines and almost immediately we had a double on! Over the course of the day, we ended up with 27 fish in the box! Woo-Hoo! Several doubles, and two triples! We saw quite a few sharks out there, and I learned personally just how much harder a Tuna will fight your line when he has one of those toothy bad boys chasing him... What FUN!!

We finally had to stop when we just plain ran out of room to put our catch on ice. When we got back to port, we loaded the boat onto the trailer and drove up to Newport to cark our fish there. We drew quite the crowd away from the folks that were cleaning their bottom fish catch. Nice to feel like a Rock Star on occasion. eh?

BIG thank you to the Sea Lion and all the Salty Dogs who are so generous with their numbers. A HUGE Thank You to Chris, Rich, & Mark for making this not only one of my most memorable fishing days, but one of the best days I've spent doing anything! I can't stop saying "WOW!".

WOW! (see?)

-mike.

Capt'n Chris, Rich, Mark, & me!

Mark and his PIG!

CHROME CATCHER · 07-14-2006, 11:26 AM

Ran out of room?????

Man, I wish I could have that problem

Some day I will make my 1st tuna voyage.
Good job, and thanks for sharing the pics

skein · 07-14-2006, 11:31 AM

You now see why we call ourselves ADDICTS!!!

There ain't nuthin' like it, nowhere.

Skein

Boatdog · 07-14-2006, 11:33 AM

The pain and agony of sitting at work.

Nice report! Congrats!

retaliate · 07-14-2006, 11:49 AM

Awesome! Love hearing these report's...one after another, WOW! we are sooo Lucky here in Oregon.

My Brother from Denver want's to Fly over with his son, just for TUNA!

Vulpinus · 07-14-2006, 11:52 AM

Aint nuthin like it is right!! Be carefull with those rod holders! I lost one setup a few years back... They like to strip out and twist.... seeing my setup shoot backwards like a missile was a sight I wont forget.

Congrats and good score!

radiodog · 07-14-2006, 12:01 PM

Thanks for the nice words, guys. I've been lurking for a couple years, now... 'bout time I joined a conversation or two.

-mike.

CATCH AND EAT · 07-14-2006, 12:11 PM

Pretty cool when dogs call out number when they are on the fish.

Jim, hope you are feeling better today. Tuna fever is here.

Mr. Fisherman · 07-14-2006, 01:54 PM

0

radiodog · 07-14-2006, 03:53 PM

Mr. Fisherman! THANK YOU!
Glad to find out who guided us to the slaughter.

You have achieved "Hero Status" for the day!

Pay it forward? You bet!!

jaysea · 07-14-2006, 04:46 PM

Peeee-Eyeeeee-Geeeee is an understatement! Wow! Great report and pix!

TROPHY1 · 07-14-2006, 05:36 PM

How sweeeet it is!
As you know Roy I'm fueled and ready to go.
What was the forcast for Thursday ( ww / swell ) and did it seem to be close? Wondering how it would stack up to the 2/5 predicted for Sat.
That sure beats the 70+ we were out last Sat.
You said your were going as far as it took to get fish, Guess that wasn't too far for ya.

radiodog · 07-14-2006, 05:49 PM

The forecast was for a west wind of 5 - 10 knots. 1 ft wind wave with a 6 ft swell - 12 second period.

Seemed fairly accurate, though a bit of a south wind came up at one point that kind of worried us. No problems, though. There were some really BIG swells every now and then, but they were super gradual due to the nice long period - more fun than bothersome. "Here comes another one... Woo-hoo!"

Bottom line, it was a beautiful easy day out there. Wouldn't have missed it for the world!

Super Fluke · 07-14-2006, 08:24 PM

Nice fish

WP · 07-15-2006, 04:02 AM

WAY TO GO hp CREW!!! Wish I coulda been there.
Dave

kenai · 07-15-2006, 09:56 AM

We're waiting for ya Dave. Get me some Bears tickets and we'll trade places for a week.

radiodog · 07-15-2006, 10:45 AM

Dave!

Your name came up on the boat this trip... Rich mentioned that he'd seen you make a recent post. How are the heck are ya? You in Chicago? What kinda fishin' you doin' there?

Oh my gosh! I'm hijacking my own post... tsk, tsk...

-mike.

Simon Peter · 07-17-2006, 07:41 AM

AAAARRRGGHHHHHHHHHH!!! And I gave up my slot on that boat cause I was sick!!!

Kids gave me a nice little virus the day before so I had a raging fever that night.

Glad to see the boat was fully plugged!