Sweet day fishin report, dollar store lures, pictures

Pilar · 03-31-2008, 09:28 PM

The weather was kinda weird but the fishing and the ocean were good to us.

Sunday 3/30
Drove over to Newport and met a couple of friends for a little first salt action on bottom fish and crab. The drive featured downpour, snow and hail as I went over on 20. It was a little blustery until I hit Newport where the sun was out. HiTekRdNeck and Puffin met me in South beach late afternoon and we launched 'Kismet' to check out the bar and set some crab motels.This turned into a bottom fishing trip and some run time on the rebuilt outdrive.

We set pretty far north in 65 to 75 feet, just north of the hump in the bottom contour that you see on your chart. Then down to the reefs off the south beach and on down almost to the pinnacles. We stopped a little short on a reef I marked a long time ago and started jigging up black rockfish and lings. I think we got 13 blacks and a 26" ling. Then at dark we ran back up and checked a couple of pots and moved them in a little shallower since the bouys were standing up and diving. We got two crab since that gear was not fishing right.

This cost us about 15 gallons of fuel, much less than I have gotten used to. We met Tuna Tom at the ramp and cleaned fish and got ready for Monday.

3/31

Got up at 6 and pushed off about 7 with Tuna Tom, Puffin and HitekRedneck.

Up to the crab spot to check out the Motels. 23 crab most hard and some with barnacles. A few huge ones pushing 7.5 inches and tons of females. I had told Puffin about my lousy crab luck and he schooled us on how to do it right.

We set again and used some shad as well as the rockfish carc and squid from Sunday.

Back down the beach to get on the reefs. We went south of the pinnacles and got into the ling cod rodeo. One after another. The ocean is loaded with lings in 100 foot and less all up and down the south beach. Many sub legal and some up to 30 inches.

We got a few rockfish too and a beast of a cabezon with mint green lips. Just old fishin buddies enjoying some March sun and bent rod fun on the ocean. It was real calm and layed down till 11 or so when the wind picked up out of the north after swinging around from the east. We met Salty Walty who was on a grocery trip for fresh fish for his mom. He got a couple of nice cabezon and a ling and then ran in for a cookout.

It was cold whenever the sun went out but nice day all around. About two we ran up and stacked more crab for 45 total on the day.

Day two we burned about 25 more gallons of fuel but ran much harder and farther. The boat ran sweet both days and I never touched a tool.

More fun at the boat ramp/cleaning station. Nice relaxing time of crab boil, oysters on the shell and some parking lot shrimp cocktail. Several people asked about Wet Fly's arch and I gave them his number. This happened while I was setting the arch up and the next day while I was rigging it for a tow.

Home now with the boat hosed off. That is the report. Go catch some fish and crab the ocean is waiting for you with no hard feelings. All is forgiven for neglecting her all winter.

We got a few pictures of experimental ling gear and jammed crab pots when Tom gets around to posting them.

wanafish · 03-31-2008, 09:37 PM

Thanks for the report, sounds like a great time was had. Hope to get out later this week if she (ocean) remains cooperative.

Salty Walty · 03-31-2008, 09:45 PM

Nice to see you guys out there at the grocery store, always good to see familiar faces. Great job on the crab. Sounds like you guys had a couple nice mental health days.

Tip-Sea · 03-31-2008, 10:41 PM

Great report. Hope to see some pics of that cabezon.

the apprentice · 04-01-2008, 12:24 AM

Great report it sounds like retaliate and myself are shooting for thusday newport hope we have as good a time as you did. good job to all

Davy · 04-01-2008, 02:08 AM

nice, thanks!

CATCH AND EAT · 04-01-2008, 06:10 AM

Sounds like you had a bunch of fun. Good for you getting out on the salt..

5-Cents · 04-01-2008, 06:23 AM

I wish I was out there - great report, thanks!

Spindrifter · 04-01-2008, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilar

The boat ran sweet both days and I never touched a tool.

Best part of the report!
Good for you, guys!

backlash442 · 04-01-2008, 06:30 AM

Novice crab question. Are the crab found on a sandy bottom or around rocks/reef? Since I used to dive for lobster would think that rockfish and crab would be found in the same area. Not so with crab?

retaliate · 04-01-2008, 06:56 AM

Just what I wanted/needed to hear, hope the Ocean cooperates for us on Thurs, Thanks for the report.

Salty Walty · 04-01-2008, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backlash442

Novice crab question. Are the crab found on a sandy bottom or around rocks/reef? Since I used to dive for lobster would think that rockfish and crab would be found in the same area. Not so with crab?

I usually crab on the sandy bottom.

doryfisherman · 04-01-2008, 07:27 AM

GREAT report i just about have my new to me boat ready cant hardly wait to get in on some of that action

doryfisherman

tippet · 04-01-2008, 07:28 AM

Still Floatin' and I were out Sunday afternoon for a quick rockfish run. I spent the night on the boat and was joined by another friend from Corvallis on Monday. As John indicated there is no shortage of ling cod out there. In addition to a handful of black rockfish we caught a nice copper and caught and released a couple of yelloweye rockfish, including a whopper that went about 2 feet.

Met the Kismet crew at the cleaning station and picked up a few tips. Thanks guys

Aaron

Seelicious · 04-01-2008, 07:51 AM

All good news, John! Sounds like a great day!

Pilar · 04-01-2008, 08:06 AM

Dungeness like sand. They eat clams so mud is good for a feeding area. Rocky areas hold those red rock crabs. In general crabbing is good off sandy beaches from 40 to 100 feet of water. Be wary of getting too close to the beach and on the outskirts of the surf.

FINZ · 04-01-2008, 08:18 AM

That was a great post. I think you got everyone excited to get their boats out and enjoy the salt.

Thanks, Finz

ron m · 04-01-2008, 09:07 AM

Glad you guys had a great day! It's always wonderful to get on the salt, but really nice when we can get out on a nice ocean early in the year.

I hope to have my turn later this week, I wonder if I'll have any trouble finding crew?
ron m

Critr Gitr · 04-01-2008, 12:58 PM

Good go John.

I was on the coast yesterday (monday) with some out of town guests. Enjoying a late lunch at Shirley's and low and behold - I couldn't help but notice Kismet parked near the cleaning station ... enjoyed the show from across the bay - hah to lay the binocs on ya to make sure.... looked to be a fun trip ....

Twitchs_Tackle · 04-01-2008, 04:01 PM

Thanks for the report! Hope it stays decent next Thurs. Fri., I may be able to finally make it over!

wthr4d · 04-01-2008, 04:23 PM

Thanks for the report! My fortune cookie today said "If you go fishing, your catch will be plentiful"

Man do I need to take a day off and go fishing!!

paul

Pilar · 04-05-2008, 08:49 AM

Tuna Toms photos added.

retaliate · 04-05-2008, 08:57 AM

Oh!, so now you reveal your secret!

LQQKASTAR · 04-05-2008, 09:53 AM

Nice report John, i love them jigs!!!, look's like your were jigging for nemo!

Pilar · 04-05-2008, 09:55 AM

The jig thing is all Tuna Tom. He hit the dollar store and then built those things right on the boat.

It worked! Blue eyed fish.

Tip-Sea · 04-05-2008, 11:03 AM

Looks like I need to hit the dollar store lol. Someone has to much free time!!

Weather or Knot · 04-06-2008, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LQQKASTAR

Nice report John, i love them jigs!!!, look's like your were jigging for nemo!

Looks like you were jigging WITH Nemo!

Awesome report! Those traps were packed! I gotta get out soon. I took the boat out for a trial run and Im ready to go! thanks again for the great report!

Brandon

Billfisher · 04-07-2008, 08:21 PM

Nice job John x 2. You guys are still our heroes.