Hammond Blues

[Tacklebuster]

Fished out of Hammond last Saturday and Sunday with some pretty slow results. We got 1 keeper and 2 shakers for 2 long days on the water. The Sunday before last we hammered them with 4 keepers and three times as many shaker around the same area. We are going back for more this Sunday but will probably fish above the bridge around the museum to hopefully get into a better bite. The sculpins were crazy below the bridge and would be working the bait before you could even put your rod in the holder. I am a regular on Don Larson's message board and would like to contribute to this one as well. I do alot of sturgeon fishing with salmon always an option. I am always willing to share info and spend alot of time on the Columbia.

[Mr. Fisherman]

Welcome TB and thanks for the update [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img].

Mr. F.

[Trick]

TB, what were you using for bait? Did you try switching at all to maybe herring, shrimp, smelt, etc..to cut down on the bullheads?Let us know.

Thanks

[WaterDog]

Hey T! Welcome aboard. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Glad you decided to come over.

[SailCat]

Hi, T!

Welcome to ifish, bro'!

I know you have much to contribute to this forum and you'll find really friendly and knowledgeable anglers here from whom you can pick up some valuable fishing info.

~Michael T.
SailCat

[new boat]

This may sound kind of funny, but I have found that pantyhose wrapped around the bait will slow the sculpins down and give you a fighting chance of hooking a "gator" or two. Sue do get lots of questions about the old pantyhose laying around in my boat however!!

[O'City Fisherman]

TB,
My in law went by the museum a couple of weeks ago and did nothing. The boat next to them was nailing gators left and right. Same bait (Smelt) but the second boat was using a sent. If you want to know what they were using e-mail me and I will pass on the word.

I tried it at Trojan and it did not do anything. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Tacklebuster]

Trick,
I used everything in the bait box. I couldn't get a nibble on smelt and anchovies or sandshrimp wouldn't last 5 seconds. I used sandshrimp oil and Shad oil for scent but no dice. Oh well, I had to eat humble pie that weekend. Thanks for the warm welcome from the 6 who replied and I look forward to posting info in the future.

[SailCat]

Bullhead feeders-

This tip from Pro Guide Bob Rees will be out this evening but I thought I'd release it to the ifishers first:

"Herring was (and has been) the key to success when fishing the lower river. Surprisingly, the bullheads leave this bait alone and small herring have been spawning in the lower river so sturgeon are taking them in the deeper water."

The downside to this tip is that herring are going for upwards of *seven dollars* a package in Astoria. 'Hope you jigged up some of this precious commodity.

~Michael T.
The Guide's Forecast