Gators on the Big C

[Pilar]

It's been a while but here is a sturgeon report.

Saturday 1/31/04
Puffins Crew and Pilar went out hunting gators. We tried the usual places, learned a few things and got lucky. The boat has been idle for a while and we had a little fun with a cranky boat. There were 4 rigs at Portco when we launched at first light. An easy ride to Kelley point and we set up well inside of the circus at the punchbowl. This spot has been a steady and reliable producer over the years and we went to the same old waypoint. About 1/2 way through our stay there the "Iron Horse", a gill net boat began threading its way through and around the boats anchored on holes around the mouth of the Willamette and down the Sauvie Island shore of the Columbia. I guess he was using the sonar and scouting it out.

The guys outside at the punchbowl were catching quite a few shakers but I saw nothing of any size. At noon after some patient waiting for a tide change and any kind of action the wind began to kick pretty hard from the east.

We moved up to the area below Hayden island. The Sonar showed quite a few arches and we dropped in over by the container dock. Nothing really happened there either. This spot has been pretty hot at times and the fish were there but not really hitting. The wind and current spun us around pretty good so it was hard fishing. We then moved up next to "MnM Shaker" and for the last couple of hours on the day just had a ball. 20 or so shakers and we boated 2 legals at 43 and 42. Sorry I have no pictures. I lost all interest in doing photos of sturgeon quite some time ago. We hated to leave because we had found the fish for sure. Next time I'll spend more time checking out the other boats so we don't waste a whole day on dead holes.

Sunday 2/1/04
What's a television and why do they call it the Superbowl anyway? Yeah same place different day. Ragnar joined me for some sportsmanlike conduct. We ran up after dodging with the piles of wood at the ramp and went right to the container dock. This place has changed and the fish are piling up much further upriver along the dock than in past years. There was one other boat and by 09:30 we had boated 30+ fish and Ragnar dialed in a fat 46 incher and another legal. The guys in another boat were shocked when Ragnar returned his fatty to the river.

They did not know about the changes to the retention rules vs days of the week.

The current slacked off after that and the wind died. Calm is nice on the river when you can get it. The bite really slowed after that. About 1430 a RO/RO ship sailed and we left for the barn.

60 fish with 2 or 3 keepers for two guys in 6 hours. More fun than you can stand and we let them all go.

The fish are there if you can change your tactics for conditions and know when to move for better spots.

[ 02-01-2004, 07:48 PM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

[4 REEL]

Pilar, It seems (to me anyway) that your like a ling out of salt. Have never seen you fish in fresh before.
Glad you guys finaly got into the gators.

[Pete]

Albacorteus Pilaritus is pelagic, a highly migratory species and a man of many talents.

[Pilar]

4Reel, in the time BT (before TUNA!) I spent many, many days on the Columbia and Willamette. Sturgeon was always a favorite, especially the time of year when most of us become infected with Salmonella and leave the sturgeon fishing to the persistent.

Since TUNA!, the river has become a very occasional treat. It is way more crowded than the offshore and some of the people are obnoxious and rude (Yes, me too when I get crowded). The fishing can be good and the trips are pretty cheap compared to the Ka-zillathon of dragging the boat to the big blue.

Maybe I'll even try to get a little springer fishing in this year, it's been a while.

But you gotta start fishing somewhere, right?

[ANDYCOHO]

Thanks for the report Pilar!!

Sounds like you had some good times

I would be more than honored to share your company in my boat Springer fishing this year!

I will be spending a little more time in the rivers this year, as I save up for my TUNA boat this year. With my open sled I give my self a 5 mile off-shore limit, soooo unless we have some bath water in close, I will be bummn' rides for TUNA town, The Rock Pile, The Chicken Ranch, ect, ect...

[justasillyolgirl]

John
thanks for the informative report.

BTW, get your tendons ready for the next trip to the Cowlitz with Tuna Tom.

Julie

[Bob Barthlow]

Pilar great report, thanks

[justcastn]

[wts]

60 fish for 6 hours - wow sounds like a blast! Must of used up a lot of bait? Were you using smelt?
Thanks for the report.
WT

[Pilar]

Just smelt, about 8 lbs a day. We dipped it out of the Sandy last January. You can also add stuff like worms, sandshrimp or pickled squid tied on with stretchy thread. This time of year finding a place that holds fish or where they swim through is more important than what you use for bait.

You can pick up an occasional stray most anywhere. When you find a 'hole' the action can be nonstop all day. If you are not getting very much action look for a better place to fish. :grin:

[Ragnar]

Just sayin' thanks Pilar.
Who needs the Superbowl Half-time show anyway? We had our own cheerleaders up on the docks. Woo-Hoo!
: :shocked: :shocked:
I never thought a life jacket and a set of raingear could look so good. Perhaps it was a combination of poor vision and distance?
I had a great time as always.
Thanks again John,
Ragnar

[puffins crew]

Pilar

Thanks for the ride, and the report. It took us a little while, but once we found'm, we pounded'm. Third time with the anchor was the charm.

Three foot shakers are nothing short of a blast.

(edit) I tagged a 43" keeper)

I have a load on the brine to run thru the smoker.

Ragnar said it well, I had a great time as always, and looking foward to doing it again.

Peace, Tom

[ 02-02-2004, 10:29 AM: Message edited by: puffins crew ]

[swampy]

Thanks, Pilar. ALWAYS appreciate reports from the Saltiest of the Dogs. swampy

[Jet Drifter]

Yes, excellent report and great advice Pilar, thank you very much