Ocean Mooching?

[CURADO KID]

The few recent threads about mooching have got me thinking. I havn't mooched much besides the mouth of the Nehalem.
I would like to learn more about it. I like the excitment of actually holding the rod while a salmon takes it VS just trolling around waiting for a take-down.

I know some of you guys are pretty experienced in this and could help me out with a few questions.

Is it commonly done out of Newport?

Are there spots that consistantly produce year after year or do you have to find the fish every year?

What are some general guidlines to finding good locations to mooch?


I'd like to do some experimenting this summer and hopefully get into a few Nooks.

Thanks,
Eric

[Mark Mc]

Hi Eric, while there are a bunch of variables / considerations, there are a few key things to look at.

For mooching you want conditions in which you can find patches of bait...whether it be bait balls, or krill, etc. You want to find these bait spots, and set up right on top of them, or updrift of them. It is most ideal if there is very little wind, so you don't get immediatley blown off of the bait spot.

If the fish are around, and if you have bait spots that are easy to find, the fish are somewhat concentrated. If the fish are very scattered, then trolling is usually better because you have a better chance of putting your offering in front of a fish.

As with earlier posts about trolling, you want areas where there has been recent upwelling / water color, or at least the right temperatures & feed. 52 - 54 degrees is the sweet spot. Once you get around 50 degrees & below, the salmon become harder to find.

Bottom line is...for mooching it's key to find the right feed & water conditions. If there is no feed, you are pretty much wasting your time to mooch.


Additional comment... since we are so focused on finding the bait when mooching, you really want to develop some skill at using your meter. And the best way to do this is....to spend a lot of time looking at it while you are fishing...drifting with lines in the water. You want to see how the shape of bait balls will change......when salmon are around it, busting through it, etc. Become one with your meter!

[Pilar]

We used to do alot of this on the rockpile (Stonewall Bank) in August. But now the chance of catching a Yellow Eye rock fish makes that an ethical decision. I haven't touched the place in two years.

[StrikeFighter]

Take a look at this page. MOOCHING RIGGING At the bottom of the page is some rigging setups. Use any J hooks available at your local tackle shop. Preferably a double slider mooching rig. Here in California we are required to use circle hooks for salmon. What a bad idea that is as salmon are chewers not attack and run species such as halibut. Any way this page will give you some ideas on set ups and such. Good luck with your mooching. Teach a man how to mooch and he will never work again....LOL

[CURADO KID]

Well it looks like i'll have to practice up on my bait locating/ finder reading skills. Now if that ocean would just lay down on the weekends i'd be in business.

Thanks for the replys!