Tuna Thursday?

seasquid · 07-16-2002, 09:01 AM

The forecast looks awesome for Thursday -- I need a running partner out of Depoe Bay for Albies. Anyone interested? I would consider Newport, but the water looks really cold.

Marty is going to give me an update from his Wednesday trip -- if it looks like they are within range, I'm going.

I'm hoping the W-SW wind over the next day or two pushes some warm water closer to shore.

The plan is to pull the boat Wednesday night at South Beach and trailer to Depoe Bay...either launch that night or early a.m.

ss

Pilar · 07-16-2002, 09:43 AM

Yes, Thursday is the day, it looks like. The weekend weather is downgraded to maybe at this time.

I'd love to join you Seasquid but I must hit the road for gas and bait money.

Watch that real sharp gradient in the temp that runs NE to SW offshore. You should be able to find some big fish lurking along that current break. I'll try to estimate the position and post it.

The real key is to use the birds. 'Pilar's Mate' proved that to me on our trip. She consistently found fish and used the birds to do it. Maybe you can charm her into telling you how that works.

The fish whisperer...........

sturgn · 07-16-2002, 09:48 AM

I would love to run with you guys, but I am not sure I have the range for it, I can carry around 100 gallons onboard, but not sure how far where going to have to run for these guy? any Idea how much range for this particular run? More than 100 miles round trip? Damn this is killin me I want a tuna bad.

Pilar · 07-16-2002, 10:01 AM

The N45 W125 spot is about 46 miles due west of Depoe Bay. I figure the range for a typical trip to be 150 miles. We almost always find hordes of em there. That's why we call it Tuna Town.

That includes 45 miles each way and 8 hours of draggin jigs at 7 to 10 mph.

This last trip was anything but typical. We only did 110 miles total and got into the fish about 25 miles out. The other unusual thing is that we had 20 on the boat in less than an hour. Usually it is onesy twosy until you get a boil going.

The numbers for the short trip spot are posted in a prior thread, search '61 degrees'.

You can get an Aux fuel cell for $100 to $150. With 27 gallons more you could have the range you need. What is your burn rate?

seasquid · 07-16-2002, 10:10 AM

Sturgn,

I don't know how much you burn, but I would say easily you have enough. I won't go farther than 35-40 one way and have a total of 85 gallons on board. It sounds to me like you have more than enough boat and range.

I'm all over the birds -- I've got a guy usually on my bow with glasses scanning for those critters.

Oh, please, please, please, be 25 miles out! I guess if I don't find them I'll pick up a salmon or two on the way home....

ss

sturgn · 07-16-2002, 10:15 AM

I know 100 gallons sounds like alot of fuel.....But I also pushing a 25' Aluminum boat with a 460 and a jet pump.

Well I thought it was the best rig at the time.....

[ 07-16-2002, 11:16 AM: Message edited by: sturgn ]

seasquid · 07-16-2002, 10:24 AM

Dang Sturgn,

Just put wings on the thing and we'll fly out there! How much do you burn on a halibut run to the Chicken Ranch? Seems to me if you have a flat ocean and you're not constantly back and forth on the throttle your consumption should be pretty decent. Obviously you're trolling fast so you'll drink some there -- I don't know -- take 20 extra gallons to be safe and try it.

ss

Salmonator · 07-16-2002, 10:29 AM

Has anyone seen the surface temp maps lately? It looks like the warm stuff is pushing farther offshore from newport. It even looks like Newport has more cold water sitting in front of it than anywhere else on the coast. However it looks like the warm stuff is almost touching Nehalem.

sturgn · 07-16-2002, 10:32 AM

I have used as little as 50 gallons(very nice water) upto 97 gallons(Very bad water) to do the chicken ranch. I have a 15hp honda I can troll with, I will have to do some figuring if its only 25 miles and the waters fairly flat I think there would be no prob, but I am pretty unsure of my consumtion, this is a brand new motor so it should be better, but I have only have about 7 hours on it now. My big test was going to be the Aug flatties. I think I will have to wait till Im a little more sure f my range. Oh well!

Pilar · 07-16-2002, 12:14 PM

Joe, yes I saw the SST. I think you are seeing the NW wind and the upwelling of cold water. We only need 2 days of calm or southerly winds to fix it. The upwelling will feed the bait fish and cause them to school. Schools of bait attract the tuners.

When we get a drop in temp the fish scatter. They are harder to pick off that way but you can find larger fish as they prefer the edges between cold and warm.

wak'm&stak'm · 07-16-2002, 02:34 PM

The commercials are 75 miles out of newport today, how much inside of them is tuna?????????OH help me out .....I want to go thursday

seasquid · 07-16-2002, 03:04 PM

Okay,

I have now called a pair of charter companies in Depoe Bay -- they both have said there is absolutely tuna 20-25 miles offshore today, as in right now.

Seasquid is going Thursday, unless that predicted wind for later in the week blows in early.

ss

sturgn · 07-16-2002, 04:34 PM

Okay how many boats are headed out thursday? I think you twisted my arm into it! I have to see if I can round up a crew on such short notice, but I think there should be no problem! Oh man I feel a woody comin on :grin:

Hookset · 07-16-2002, 06:14 PM

Dang.........already booked a trip for this Thursday on the Irish. All this talk of Tuna got me pumped and I'm itching to go. If another date comes up in the future where someone needs a helping deck hand and extra money, please.......I'll be there in a flash!!

Good luck on Thursday,

Gregg

corrirod · 07-16-2002, 07:26 PM

Damn. I think I'm in but I don't have a crew at the moment. I'll see what I can do tomorrow, but count me in for now.

sturgn · 07-16-2002, 08:17 PM

Well Im out going to try for Monday or Tuesday next week, Not enough time to get ready for Thursday! Have fun and keep us posted!

Deepslayer · 07-16-2002, 08:54 PM

Hey John! I got Jason and I to go if you want to do it Thursday.
,Ed

sturgn · 07-16-2002, 09:17 PM

After last week Jasons not envited anymore! Just kidding but we better move it to next week, I want more time to get ready.

Deepslayer · 07-16-2002, 09:57 PM

Sounds good! Let's hope the weather holds.
,Ed

Pilar · 07-17-2002, 06:45 AM

So, who's going Thursday? Some of us are going to try it on Saturday, weather permitting. I think 'Puffin' is in.

A report from Thursday fishers would be excellent and may save us some running around.

Thanking you in advance.

seasquid · 07-17-2002, 07:19 AM

Pilar,

I'll give you a call on your cell tomorrow and give you the word on the ocean, catching, etc...I'm heading NW out of Depoe and see what happens -- I've got your numbers. I had some numbers from last year, but my backup GPS went down, so I'm using yours.

If anybody else is heading out, I should be in the parking lot at the launch or in a slip early-mid evening tonight -- white ford/white boat with white Marlin flag on VHF.

ss

Pilar · 07-17-2002, 10:11 AM

Seasquid, go due west for the spot I mentioned. Steer 275 degrees and go 20 to 25 miles.

Or keep going till you hit N45 W125. Looking at the SST there is a temperature break that is close to the beach by Cape Lookout and farther out along a SW line as you go down the coast. I make it 50 miles plus down by Newport. At Depoe, it looks like the spot '61 degrees' will put you right at the break about 25 miles out.

Good luck and I look forward to your report.

wak'm&stak'm · 07-17-2002, 12:06 PM

Ok it is for sure....RJ and I will be going from Depoe Bay Thursday.
Sp Pilar do you have a warm fuzzy feeling for us tomorrow, we will shoot for your numbers.

So who else and when, we are thinking 5:30.

Does anyone have Marty's cell number?

We went to the pile today...that sucked....clear water and no fish.....

Yahoo .......

corrirod · 07-17-2002, 12:13 PM

Seasquid,

We're in! Me and "Jsail" will be meeting you in Depoe. What time are you leaving in the morning?

Not exactly sure what we're doing but I guess we just need to get out and try it!

My cell # is 503-351-0001. If we don't hookup before the morning let me know which VHF channel you'll be on.

seasquid · 07-17-2002, 12:38 PM

Corrirod and Wak'm --

I'm heading up to Depoe tonight, like I think I said in a previous post -- I'm heading out by 5:30 at the latest -- more like 5-5:15...

I think we should use Pilar's numbers at a starting point....my cell is (541) 740-4975 and I'm on channel 19 -- 'Bite me" and "Price Check" will be with me -- if any of you were scanning the VHF last weekend, you probably heard a bunch of nonsense -- that was us!

Worse case scenario -- if we get "out there" and we're not reading any temp -- I'll probably turn around and come back and troll for salmon.

If we find them, then we know what we're doing, if we don't, than I guess we don't know what we're doing --

Wak'm, the rockpile was that bad? Hmm... that's weird -- I'm fishing salmon the rest of the week, I don't like to hear that....

Okay, see you guys in the morning or tonight -- Might end up at the Sea Hag for a beer and chowder.

ss

Pilar · 07-17-2002, 01:11 PM

You guys rock!

Wish I could go tomorrow, I'll be vacationing at a sawmill site near Lyons, Oregon instead. With any luck and some better weather, we will hunt them on Saturday. There was a report on the board about fish just 25 miles west of DB, succesfully hunted by a charter boat, a few days ago.

If you guys can't find the right temperature, I would head North North West from the '61 degrees' waypoint about 330 or 340 degrees magnetic. That temperature break should be near there and a little north. Remember that the fish like the sudden change in temperature and you should find them along that edge. This edge will concentrate bait and tuna.

The big ones are commonly found in somewhat cooler water, as low as 58 degrees. So don't get all worried about the absolute value of the water temp. Look for jumper tuna, slicks and sitting or diving birds. I have personally caught the torpedoes in water as cool as 57.

The color is a key too. Bright deep (Crater Lake) blue is best. Look at your wake when you are trolling, turqouise is next best and clear green also works. If the water is murky, drive on.

Da Sve danya comrades and happy/safe hunting.

wak'm&stak'm · 07-17-2002, 02:14 PM

We will be there by 5am.

This is sounding better all the time.....I will be dragging a white striper hardtop, with a charcoal gray gmc.

After the rock pile we came where therst of the boats were and never saw a fish caught.....but yesterday I know of 2 guys who cayught 20 fish out of DB and kept 4 chinooks.

seasquid · 07-17-2002, 02:19 PM

Thanks Pilar,

I tell you what, I've got some excited crew members -- not much sleep happening tonight.

ss

corrirod · 07-17-2002, 03:14 PM

See you guys there tonight or in the morning. I'm not sure when I'll get out of Beaverton but probably 7-8ish I would guess. I'm driving a tan Ford Excursion and towing an all white Bayliner Trophy.

Howz the parking/launch area at Depoe bay? I've never launched a boat out of there before. I've ridden a charter once but never taken my own.

Is the launch ramp off of Bay St. or Shell Ave.? I'm sure I'll find it tonight. If not, don't think I won't push it off the bridge in the morning! :shocked: Nobody's leaving me at the dock unless my boats on fire! Even then I'll still push it off the bridge! :grin:

Pilar · 07-17-2002, 03:19 PM

Cross the bridge and turn left at Texaco. There is not much flat ground in the parking lot. Try right by the boat ramp and behind the cleaning station in the little park.

You guys are so lucky to get out tomorrow. I'll do my Tuna dance. Oh ... style points for cell phone live action reports. My Verizon works up to 20 miles out. I'll try to post your reports as they come in.

Find em and Grind em

corrirod · 07-17-2002, 03:43 PM

So if these fish are based on water temperature, wouldn't they be even closer to shore near Garibaldi? Is there a reason nobody goes out of that port for Tuna? I'm new to this so bare with me if this is a dumb question.

Pilar · 07-17-2002, 03:54 PM

I guess you could find out for us Corrirod. Al lI know is that they are almost always off Cape Lookout and south down to the Chicken Ranch pretty much all summer. Further north and south they seem to be further out.

Based on history and personal observation, Depoe Bay is the perfect launch point.

You could try it and show us the way?

Tight lines.

Salmonator · 07-17-2002, 07:00 PM

FWIW, the water out of newport was damn cold. 48 degrees a mile out and 53 seven miles west of the lighthouse. Quite a few coho around. We put 6 in the box for around 15 rods down including a nice chinook we lost that hit in the propwash.

corrirod · 07-17-2002, 07:44 PM

Thanks Pilar,

I'm new to this tuna stuff and was just wondering if there was some bottom structure, or currents, or ??? that keeps them from moving north.

Maybe if I get bored and the money tree starts to actually grow I'll burn 82 gallons and see what's out there.

Well, gotta get on the road and see how you pro's do it! Seeeeeeeeeee Ya.