Black and White Porpoise off Depoe Bay Sunday

fish assassin · 06-09-2003, 06:00 AM

Ya know those black and white Porpoise that play with the boat when we are
running for TUNA?? I saw a small pod of them in about 60 fathoms of water
off Depoe Bay on Sunday!! I was pulling up a salmon and heard a *splash*.
I was a little concerned as the swells were getting large and sharp and was
starting to worry that maybe the wind had picked up enough that it was starting
to white cap. *Splash*!! Just off the starboard bow. Hmmm, didn't SOUND like a
white cap! Then I saw the first one. Came bubbling up right next to the wire I
was pulling up!

There were only 3 or 4, *maybe* 5 of the critters, but I always get such a kick
out of seeing them! I think that maybe Marty may have run out too far looking
for the elusive albacore!!

That's the closest to shore I have
ever seen the black and whites!

-assAssin-

06-09-2003, 06:21 AM

Dahl porpose are cool! Every once in a while they would come down Revella Channel and I could see them out my office window.

Pilar · 06-09-2003, 06:23 AM

Thanks for the report and sighting of Jennifer's 'friends'. :grin:

Dahl Porpoise and 60 degree water = Albacore.

And yes most people run right past the fish. We catch them 25 to 35 miles out every summer and sometimes much closer.

fish assassin · 06-09-2003, 06:37 AM

Pilar,

Summer before last (right after I took delivery on Pacific Mistress) I
screwed up and called the weather wrong. Got up in the morning and saw
that the ocean was flat with no wind ...

The Boy and I drove down to Dopey Bay and cast off about 9:30 in the morning
with intentions to run out to some of those 20 mile off shore TUNA. At 10
miles off the whistler bouy we saw "jumpers". We started throwing out lines and
boated 4 quick fish. AT TEN MILE OFFSHORE!!!

Moral of the story? Never assume you need to run WAY offshore to catch a TUNA or
three or four!! :grin: :grin: :grin:

-assAssin-

WP · 06-09-2003, 06:42 AM

I can remember a year when I was commercialing out of Coos Bay when the dories were getting tuna just behind the surf line. They would get silvers occasionally and lots of tuna on feathers...for a week or so...incredible!
WP

Popeye · 06-09-2003, 06:45 AM

FA....I saw porpoise around the "whistler" Sat. I also saw more bait balls than I've ever seen in one day, starting at about 8 miles offshore. Wonder what that might mean for TTUUNNNAAA this year

Goin' ta make a scoutin' trip this W/E.

Pilar · 06-09-2003, 06:47 AM

assAssin, I have 'trolled in' a few times and hit fish as close as 10 miles out. Sometimes the 'temperature break' is 20 miles out in the morning and only 10 to 15 miles out by afternoon.

These fish are fast swimmers, capable of 40mph and sustained speeds only somewhat slower. They move around on the hunt for feed. That is why they dissappear if you don't keep working them. They move on.

EVERREADY · 06-09-2003, 06:47 AM

We saw a few porpoises SAT by the inner reef out of Newport. I don't know if they are they same kind.

Pilar · 06-09-2003, 06:50 AM

Great minds think alike Popeye, I was discussing this very thing with my mate, yesterday. We were thinking Depoe at first light and then out to '61 degrees'. Can you give us a heads up on the SST? Any good shots lately? Is it over 60 yet offshore?

Popeye · 06-09-2003, 06:51 AM

John....I thought you had to work

DriftR · 06-09-2003, 11:15 PM

Assassin,
Two years ago we too got into them really close. We were off PC 11 miles and got the first one. Then it started hot and heavy. We had our share at 17 miles out and it was a short day trip for sure. Those black and whites are great to see. I call those false baby killer whales. Always a good sign to see those. Were they tagging your lines looking for a free meal?

CAPT KUJO · 06-09-2003, 11:42 PM

I can't hardly take it either. I'm going to venture out this week end also. And depoe bay sounds great to me. The SST is showing just what were looking for.

CAPT KUJO

Salmonator · 06-09-2003, 11:52 PM

Johnboy, yesterday it looked like there was 61+ water at 124.45' 45.15'.

fish assassin · 06-09-2003, 11:52 PM

Weren't looking for a free meal, just playing with the boat. If I hadn't
have been so busy pulling in a fish I would have liked to watch them frolic
around the boat! I just *love* the way they shoot under the boat and come
bubbling up to the surface with a *splash*!!

-assAssin-