Early Oregon Coast Salmon Season!

Mr. Fisherman · 02-04-2003, 03:05 PM

Here you go, straight from the horses mouth.

Summary of 2003 Recreational Oregon Ocean Salmon Seasons

CAPE FALCON TO HUMBUG MOUNTAIN:
EARLY SEASON: March 15 through April 30. Open for all salmon except coho, two salmon per day. Minimum total lengths: Chinook = 20 inches, steelhead = 20 inches. No more than 2 single point, single shank, barbless hooks may be used. Seasons from May 1 on will not be finalized until after the April 7-11 PFMC meeting in Vancouver.

Note: Tillamook Triangular Control Zone has special regulations for chinook salmon. From April 1 through July 31 all retained chinook must have a healed fin clip.

Gotta go get the boat ready...

WOO HOO!

p.s. Thanks to Bar Kat on the Pac Northwest Yahoo group for the announcement!

Popeye · 02-04-2003, 03:46 PM

Mr Fish....you can thank Jennifer too

Pilar's Mate
Chinook
Member # 2546
posted 02-04-2003 07:26 AM
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Yaaaay! Chinook opens March 15!!! Looks like it's gonna have lots of potential - everyone cross your fingers for a happy bar-crossing!

Miss B Haven · 02-04-2003, 06:21 PM

OK - so you mid/south coast (and trailer guys) know what going on....What the hecks in store for the CR (North of Falcon)? I can't find a hint! [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]
Am I going to have to move down South and ruin the neighborhood? :shocked:

[img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Hawg Hunter · 02-04-2003, 06:28 PM

Mr. Fish & Popeye,
Thanks for the posts, I really appreciate it. I had no idea it started on March 15th! I love salmon fishing out of Depoe and Newport. Is the salmon fishing out of these ports any good in March? (Maybe Fish Assassin can help on this question) I am assuming the same downrigger techniques that I use in the summer will work in March? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

Chum King · 02-04-2003, 09:26 PM

I'm not sure that I like to be referred to as a "horse's mouth" or any other part of a horse's anatomy. Anyway, if you add the following link to your favorites, then it will be easier to check up a variety of ocean salmon issues including regulations, a fish ID guide, catch updates, etc.: Ocean Salmon Home

For other marine species you can link back to: ODFW Marine Resources Homepage

MBH: All seasons from May 1 still have to go through the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) process. The final PFMC meeting is scheduled for the week of April 7-11. These seasons that occur prior to May 1 were established under the 2002 regulation process. With the tight constraints on the North of Cape Falcon fisheries, it is unlikely that early seasons would be adopted in the same fashion up there.

HH: The chinook fishing should be good in March and April, assuming the weather cooperates. March is essentially an uncharted time period for the fishery. Only in the past few years have we had opening in March and April, and very few sport or charter boats have participated in these early openings. The commercial trollers did fish the last 11 days of March last year and did fairly well. Good luck.

Lepper · 02-04-2003, 09:37 PM

I Wonder how far out and how deep down we will have to go to get these fish though..
dave

Fishplay · 02-04-2003, 09:59 PM

I've caught many chinook while targeting lings in March. If we get small craft friendly weather I know I will be boating Kings.

Chum King · 02-04-2003, 10:04 PM

Lepper:

They could be almost anywhere.

For what it's worth, usually early in the season, the concentrations of chinook tend to be further out on Heceta Banks, and down near the bottom. I would recommend a good starting place as just outside the north end of the Rockpile.

If you haven't already, you should spool extra wire onto your downriggers in case you need to get all the way down to the bottom. Try different depths, until you find them, but I know that a couple years ago, you had to be right down within 20 feet of the bottom to find any fish. Last year, they were all over the place.

fish assassin · 02-05-2003, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hawg Hunter:
Mr. Fish & Popeye,
Thanks for the posts, I really appreciate it. I had no idea it started on March 15th! I love salmon fishing out of Depoe and Newport. Is the salmon fishing out of these ports any good in March? (Maybe Fish Assassin can help on this question) I am assuming the same downrigger techniques that I use in the summer will work in March? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Hawg Hunter:

I plan on starting at 50-60 fathom water and fish from Depoe Bay
down to Newport (or there-abouts). I did OK there last year, but
I wasn't out far enough. I tried fishing in the 30-40 fathom range
and was only getting a couple of Chinookies a day.

Best bait is junk ... spoons, hoochies ... for the early spring fishery.
You'll find lots of fish in the top 20 fathoms of water (typically) but
sometimes they are clear down, sucking mud!

Good luck to all that get out on the early season ... and remember folks,
NO FISH IS WORTH YOUR LIFE!! Be careful out there. A late winter/early spring
ocean is dangerous!! (IMHO)

-assAssin-

Mr. Fisherman · 02-05-2003, 10:27 PM

Chum King, I was only intending that the information was accurate and came from the source. As far as horses anatomy... I'm gonna leave that one alone but my wife walked away with a school girl giggle

.

Popeye, that just proves it, Ya gotta get up pretty early to get there before ol' Jen.

I'll be looking forward to a friendly ocean.
Just got my Scotty electric downrigger and look forward to fishing deep with light gear and not having to crank up a 10# ball and a big nookie at the same time.