Tillamook Bay Sturgeon

[Rip'N'Lips]

I recently purchased as small boat that I have been using for crabbing. I love to sturgeon fish, but wasn't sure if my boat was big enough for the lower Columbia. Fishing & Hunting news says December/January for Tillamook bay sturgeon.

What is the story? I crab around crab harbor, how far up do I need to go to find fish? Do I have to have a sled or can I get there with a V-hull? Where do I get mud shrimp on the way?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. With all this brown water, I need to find fish somewhere?

[David Johnson]

Tillamook Bait can get you the mud shrimp.

There are a lot of places to find sturgeon on the bay. Bay City, West Channel, Tillamook River and sometimes even the upper end of the Ghost Hole. A sled would be best but if you're carefull you can use a V.

[sturg]

How big is your boat? The place to get ghost shrimp is the viewpoint before you reach Garabaldi. What you do is walk to the left when you reach the water about 50 feet and during low tide you dig a big whole and just pick them up. Depending on the weather, the Columbia in certain areas are pretty safe for small boats if you know how to anchor and their are certain areas that are really good fishin spots with very few fisherman. I live in Hillsboro too so I wouldn't waste my time driving to the coast, when the fishing in town is pretty good.

[Rip'N'Lips]

I have a 15ft Smokercraft with a 30Hp Johnson. I am in the process of getting a Columbia river anchor system, have the anchor, need the rope and float.

The reason why I want to try Tillamook bay is because I take my daughter there once every 2 weeks to crab and would like to be able to fish as well.

[Phil Layer]

I'm with you, Ripnlips. I'm headed to T Bay in another week for crabs and would love to fish for gators while there.

Keep me posted on what you learn, K?

Good luck!

[Cohodependent]

I have heard from several folks over the years that the Tillamook River produces quite a few Sturgeon. I have always wanted to fish that stream. Is it best to use a boat or can you do it off the bank? How far upstream will they go? Fish the deeper holes or is that even some thing to think about on this stream?

Thanks for any and all information.

Ajames
aka- Cohodependent

[Bait O' Eggs]

I have never fished for sturgeon as high up as the Tillamook River, but have seen them do it. It is easily fished from the bank. There are several wide spots along the road where people park and fish.

There are quite a few spots I have fished in the bay, of which are about 1/2 way between crab harbor and memaloose ramp. All three main channels produce sturgeon.