March 15 Ocean Salmon Opener

Deepline · 03-05-2003, 08:45 PM

Is there anyone planning on fishing the March 15 salmon opener if ocean conditions allow? And by the way, as a new member, I would be happy to have a helping hand on my boat this summer when the tuna show, pull until you can pull no longer.

OceanBlue · 03-05-2003, 08:49 PM

I think that all of us that will be in Newport that weekend will try to get out for Salmon. And there will be a bunch of us there!

See the notice for the Tunaholics Meeting on this board. - Oh, but you gotta give us a story first! :grin: (I forgot that Mel isn't around to harrass new members to give us a story! :depressed: Poor guy, too busy to play with us these days!

Hope to see you there!

[ 03-05-2003, 09:51 PM: Message edited by: Pilar's Mate ]

corrirod · 03-05-2003, 08:57 PM

Deepline, good to have ya on the board!

Pilar's Mate is refering to an old Ifish tradition of telling everyone a little about yourself, where you like to fish, and maybe a good fishing story.

Here's the link she was refering to:

TunaHolics in Newport

We're all "salt" addicts so of course we'll be there! :grin:

Deepline · 03-05-2003, 09:30 PM

Oh, the new guy has to tell a story........ but there are too many to share.

I'll share a quick 'scary' story. A few years ago, I was operating a commercial fishing boat in Bristol Bay. We had fished for over two days without a wink of sleep. I was tired and decided to deliver the fish and throw the hook in a semi-calm area, the wind was blowing a steady 35 with gusts upward of 45. We were in a following sea and the boat started to act a little funny, listing hard on the starboard side. I decided to head up to the flying bridge so I could see and operate the boat more efficiently. As I was climbing up to the bridge, the boat began a hard nose dive into green water. Water burst over the 32' boat, completely soaking me in full rain gear. The boat came up nicely but when I got to the wheel, I looked around and was surrounded my huge breaking waves in every direction. I accidentily, found myself on a large sand bar, in about 6 feet of water. I didn't want to get stuck so I turned to hard right which was the quickest route off the sand bar. As I was turning, a huge wave hit the stern of the boat and completely turned the boat, in fact, I could touch the water with my arm as the boat was laid out. I thought we were going down, the guys in the cabin must have been scared to death. But the big guy upstairs must have played a helping hand in righting the boat. We were able to get off the sand bar and found a nice inlet to sleep for 3 days.

So that's my story...........I don't want to ruffle any feathers but the fishing out of Charleston last spring was much better compared to Newport. The chinook were within 2 miles out of Charleston compared to the long run out of Newport. Maybe another weekend....

Orca · 03-05-2003, 09:55 PM

Deepline, glad you are still with us, and joining us here!

On the Chinook, show us the light and we shall follow! Charleston is a long haul for those folks up north, but not quite as bad for us mid-valley people. I spend 3 or 4 weekends a year at Winchester, but have never gone the extra distance to Charleston.

Are there decent numbers of fish early in the season? Or, when does the fishing get decent? How about a bottom fishing update as well, are there big lings in close to be had?

tailchaser · 03-06-2003, 07:17 AM

There's a lot of lings being caught right now down here. The salmon opener is usually a pretty good one also. We get a lot of what I think are springers heading north and south of us for the Umpqua and Rogue only a few miles from the jetties. I used to fish Newport quite a bit when I lived in Eugene in my younger years but since I've lived here in Coos Bay there's no comparison. Mostly for the competition of other anglers. Plenty of fish to catch and you can get away from the crowds. Definitely worth the extra 1/2 hour. It has everything Newport has in the salmon, bottomfish, halibut, and tuna of course.

The marina isn't quite as nice as Newport, but still a good place for a boat. Anyhow, if you come this way I can inform you of where to fish pretty easily.

tc

seasquid · 03-06-2003, 01:42 PM

So,

where are these early season chinook going to be lurking? If I remember correctly, the commercial guys were running to Haceta Banks in March and April last year, while it was pretty sporadic at the Rock Pile.

Personally, I haven't ever been too excited about the ocean chinook game this early.

Your thoughts?

ss

sherry marie · 03-06-2003, 03:07 PM

Deepline, If the ol blue will lay down alittle we will be there but I hadn't thought about running down to charleston. I will be thinking about maybe trying some new water if the fish are closer to port... maybe we will see you ... Sherry Marie is printed on the stern of our 24 sea sport. If we get a little break we will be there... Welcome

tailchaser · 03-06-2003, 03:40 PM

Most of it depends on the weather for one, and what kind of crew I've got to go down to Port Orford. The only drawback to going down there is no Coast Guard really nearby, so it's a safety in numbers show. However, it's a very rewarding trip only having to go 19 miles and fishing the same hole as everyone else that runs 32-37 miles from coos bay. One of the great things though is I know a couple of areas that you can pick flatties inside the 180' curve year round. Also, Humbug Mountain is right there at Port Orford and it's open year round for all depths. So there's a lot of options to be had there. I'll be at the TA meeting on the 15th though and we could talk about it more there if you're going to attend. If not, not big deal just keep in touch. Come closer to the opener I'll have a good idea on which will be best (wind, tides, weather, etc...)

tc

Sturgeon Tom · 03-06-2003, 03:44 PM

Deepline you will have no problum having help on your boat. Just make a post when your going and people will answer the call.

Orca · 03-06-2003, 04:13 PM

TC, I will see you on the 15th, and we will yak more about Charleston. See you there.

Orca · 03-06-2003, 11:29 PM

TC,

I had hoped to hook up with you last year, but never made it. Once boat maint/repairs are complete I will send you mail and we will attempt to get together. I am thinking about a later April trip to test some new eqp. and prepare for halibut. Are you going out of Charleston for Halibut, or out of Port Orford?

fisher-price · 03-07-2003, 05:40 PM

Deepline send me an e-mail at mpmitchell2@attbi.com would love to chat about fishing

f-p

WP · 03-08-2003, 10:10 PM

Weather is sure looking cra__y so far. 21' combined on Thursday! Hope that wind turns soon! I hope at least the party and toona meetin' have a weather break!
WP :depressed:

Pilar · 03-09-2003, 07:46 AM

There is always night crabbing in Yaquina bay. We would have to fight with the fur bags for our crab bait, but the crabbing is pretty good at times.

The herring show is pretty entertaining too if they are still around. They work great for halibut, even the big spawners. We could get some bait for Halibut hill.

The weather looks pretty bad. I'm looking forward to meeting the other tuna nuts, shooting the **** about fishing and Hornitos of course. Anything else is a bonus. So... I will continue with boat and tackle preparations and hope for the best.

You know if I don't get the boat ready the weather will be perfect.

skein · 03-09-2003, 08:03 AM

I'm gonna bring some of last year's shad and will make them available for crabbers. They make great bait and you don't have to go dumpster diving for offal (or is that "awful"?)

Skein

Lepper · 03-09-2003, 08:21 PM

TC, i'm always game for a fishin trip!!
dave