What to expect when halibut fishing

Phil Layer · 04-25-2002, 08:49 AM

I've never fished for halibut in Oregon. I have fished for them in Alaska where the limits are five a day and no limits on possessions (at least where I was fishing). We would motor out about 15 miles into Cook Inlet each day and throw anchor into 100 feet of water. It felt a lot like sturgeon fishing to me except with circle hooks. Anyway, we would spend all day without seeing another boat until we returned to port with limits. The RV park had plenty of empty spots even on the weekend.

Last weekend, I fished out of Newport and stayed in the RV park at South Beach. In a chat with one of the workers there, I learned I need to make reservations for RV spots well in advance of the upcoming halibut weekends. He told me not only would the RV park be full but every parking spot at South Beach would be taken. :depressed:

This is starting to sound like Buoy 10 to me.

Of course, the ocean is a little roomier than the mouth of the Columbia but I'm beginning to get a little nervous if everyone is headed for the Chicken Ranch. Is this going to be combat fishing out there. If so, what sort of etiquette is expected among flattie chasers? Will all charter boats be fishing the ranch? Does anybody anchor out there? Will everyone be fishing for halibut or will some be pursuing salmon? Is gunfire a common sound out there?

So many questions. So little time.

Pilar · 04-25-2002, 09:04 AM

Moby, you are asking all the good questions. I will italicize the answers

I've never fished for halibut in Oregon. I have fished for them in Alaska where the limits are five a day and no limits on possessions (at least where I was fishing). We would motor out about 15 miles into Cook Inlet each day and

We never anchor here, the water is way too deep :grin:

throw anchor into 100 feet of water. It felt a lot like sturgeon fishing to me except with circle hooks. Anyway, we would spend all day without seeing another boat until we returned to port with limits. The RV park had plenty of empty spots even on the weekend.

Last weekend, I fished out of Newport and stayed in the RV park at South Beach. In a chat with one of the workers there, I learned I need to make reservations for RV spots well in advance of the upcoming halibut weekends. He told me not only would the RV park be full but every parking spot at South Beach would be taken.

Yes, crowded for camping and at the launch. The 30 mile transit can be crowded also. You need to reserve next years Motel, this year like everybody else does.

This is starting to sound like Buoy 10 to me.

Nope, not even close to the same numbers. But show up early and you'll get a place to put your trailer. Moor and you'll only have to do the ramp rodeo one time.

Of course, the ocean is a little roomier than the mouth of the Columbia but I'm beginning to get a little nervous if everyone is headed for the Chicken Ranch.

You should be, it's a long swim back to the beach. That fear will keep you alive.

Is this going to be combat fishing out there.

No, the bar and big water seems to weed out the idiots and doughballs. The style of fishing and the size of the area keep conflicts to a minimum.

If so, what sort of etiquette is expected among flattie chasers? Will all charter boats be fishing the ranch?

Yes, many big puker boats, Coast Guard Choppers, rescue boats and cutters, hundreds of smaller boats.

Does anybody anchor out there?

Only James in 'Puffin' has the stones to anchor the boat with his fishin Po in 600 ft of water. It took them over an hour to bust off the 130# tuffline.

Will everyone be fishing for halibut or will some be pursuing salmon? Is gunfire a common sound out there?

No salmon out at the ranch and you will hear gunfire. Bring your hogleg and join right in.

So many questions. So little time.

Here's a few pointers. Show up early to launch and check out your boat before you head to the beach. Don't expect to find bait, tackle or gear like you want at the beach.

On the run out, pick a point a mile to the south of the Chicken Ranch and run for it. That way you will not run right up on the other boats and you'll avoid the boats running down from Depoe Bay. Try for about 20 mph, conditions willing. Passing other boats is futile because of the number of boats. Probably in excess of 1000. Just cruise for a nice smooth 90 minute ride to the hole.

Leave for the beach as soon as you bag a limit. This will mean alot to anyone who has stayed out there too late in the day and taken a beating during the afternoon wind show.

Don't let your lines trail the boat if the drift is fast. Use a heavy weight, up to 4 lbs and keep it under the boat. If you trail out more than 20 degrees from vertical, you will find an unyielding hunk of bottom to leave your gear on. Use drift socks, the kicker in reverse or any other method to slow your drift.

Put something on your hook that glows in the dark (very dark at 600ft.) and tie your bait on with stretchy thread. The last thing you want to have happen is a short strike and loss of bait. They will hit just the glow worm and tieing on makes the bait hard to remove.

Concentrate on making your boat happy and your outfit complete. The rest is too easy to imagine. My first trip there lasted just 5 minutes. We hooked up on a double, reeled them in and ran for the beach.

This still happens more often than not. Only a few times have I ever stayed past 10 am.

You can spear your fish or you can shoot it. SOme people even net them. You'll see all different methods.

Keep asking the good questions.

[ 04-25-2002, 11:01 AM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

Hamachi · 04-25-2002, 03:41 PM

Pilar, what's the size range of the fish at the ranch?

Pilar · 04-25-2002, 03:52 PM

Look for 'Chickens'. I'm thinking anything under 35 lbs and 48" is a chicken. We have in the last year gotten into some bigger fish with my best so far at 56" and 72# and a pair of 50# fish on the last trip. If you get into the 40" to 48" size you are the average fisher at the Chicken Ranch.

You almost never get one under 32". There are alot of fish there and the average is just under a fish per rod per day. Also there is some incidental catch of Grey cod, Sablefish, Boccachio and the various rockfish.

Phil Layer · 04-26-2002, 04:56 AM

I may not know much about fishin but I do know where to go to get the answers.

Thanks, Pilar.....again.

Threemuch · 04-26-2002, 08:53 AM

Is the chicken ranch very snaggy? I have seen a couple refrences to "don't hang up, you may never get off" and I don't like it!

The spot in Garibaldi, while 200' deeper, is not snaggly. Doesn't change my plans, Newport the 10th and 11th, Garibaldi the 17th and 18th.

Kurt

Pilar · 04-26-2002, 09:11 AM

No, not snaggy. People tend to not use enough weight. When the line trails out from the boat at a 45 degree angle, even a 10 ft ledge or rock turns in to a snag.

Threemuch · 04-26-2002, 09:20 AM

Moby, is that the South Beach State Park? Or somewhere different? I am trying to set up camping for the weekend for me and my buddys. There are spots available at South Beach State Park. How far is that from the launch?

Mr. Fisherman · 04-28-2002, 11:52 PM

Kurt, South beach is right at the dock.

Don't expect much grass though.

Are you gonna stay on your boat?

Do you have an open seat for the 11th? PLEASE?!

My seat went away and I am desperate to find another.

call me or email me if you want more details....

Ray

Phil Layer · 04-29-2002, 08:57 AM

Kurt,

I was speaking of the RV park right at the launch.

I know of the park you are speaking of if it is the one right off of 101. I'm guessing it is about five miles from the launch but don't quote me on that. I've also heard it is a nice campground although I've never stayed there.

Now, the South Beach people are saying there should not be a problem with getting campsites without a reservation unless you have to have spots right beside each other for a group of campers. And, they state that the marina has never been full so getting a slip for the weekend is not a problem without a reservation.

Pete · 04-29-2002, 09:07 AM

Hey,
Can I follow someone out? I don't have GPS or VHS or a compass in my 12 foot Valco, but I do have a couple extra Gerry cans to fuel my 1963 5 horse Evinude. I've already got 2 guys scheduled to go with me. What else should I bring?

.... ok, I'm joking.

04-29-2002, 12:42 PM

Pete,
Do you mind if I buy a life insurance policy for you and your fishing partners? :grin:

Don't you know it is not safe to transport gas in a open boat? :depressed: :grin:

Thanks for the laugh.

Phil Layer · 04-29-2002, 12:50 PM

Before you head out to sea in that Valco, you'd best strap some scrubbers, er...strutters....er,...strippers on both sides. Glue one to the bow, too, for extra safety.

I don't know what they are but Pilar's got em so they must be good.

Pilar · 04-29-2002, 01:53 PM

Scuppers, Moby, Scuppers. Not on my boat but 'Puffin'. To me 'Puffin' is kind of like my lifeboat. I'm glad it has scuppers.

Strippers are for the offshore drilling.

04-29-2002, 02:38 PM

How many stripers do I need for a 14' flat bottom skiff? :grin:

Will my wife get mad if I keep them or will she just break out her Bobbit knife? [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] :grin:

[ 04-29-2002, 03:39 PM: Message edited by: Keta ]

Phil Layer · 04-29-2002, 03:08 PM

Keta,

Before you worry about your wife's reaction to having the strippers on board, you'd best see how she takes to your calling her a flat bottom skiff!

Doh! :shocked:

04-29-2002, 04:01 PM

That was a typo I put in an "L" by mistake. :grin: Just don't let her find out!!! :blush: :grin:

AngleThis · 05-07-2002, 08:46 PM

NO anchoring. That would require a boat loada line, and if it set, would probably sink your boat. The Chicken Ranch fleet has me concerend as well. It's rough enough out there for a small boat without two thousand wakes to deal with. Hence, I am heading for the Geribaldi spot...may not be any better wake wise, but at least its a 14 mile shorter round trip.