Newport Chinook, where they go?

Steeliehunter · 07-29-2003, 07:42 PM

Okay I have a guestion about ocean chinook fishing out of Newport. Two weeks ago we were fishing 150 to 180 feet and the chinooks were thick. I can remember one time looking around while we were playing a fish and eight other boats had fish on also. So out again last week end and I head to my way point and nothing. I went out 200 feet and managed two nate coho and two drive byes and that was it. So what happend?

Spoiled Daddy · 07-29-2003, 07:59 PM

NNW wind all week dropped the water temp quickly, scattering the bait fish and the salmon. Most nooks caught the past weekend (from what I heard) were in much deeper water and at least 8-9 miles off shore.

On Sunday, the water near the beach at the Y buoy was 49 degrees. Two weeks ago it was 58 degrees. That's a big difference and really affects where the fish are going to be. If the weather can break the NNW wind pattern for a week or so, the warm water should return closer to the beach and the fish will follow it.

That's been my experience anyway... SD

TWB · 07-29-2003, 10:12 PM

I think SD has it nailed, a big NW blow upwells cold water, scatters the bait fish and scatters the salmon. It has the same affect on tuna. It will take some nice calm days and the fish will school back up.

As for Saturday, they were still there. They were about 11 miles out. To me the key was finding that break from the 40 degree water to the 51 degree water. They were along that edge. The Chinook were under the coho, got good fish at 125ft. Things probably changed again after the blow Sunday and Monday.

Jerry

willametteriveroutlaw · 07-29-2003, 10:35 PM

Sean
they could only take your abuse for one weekend =). One month and change until early goose season.
Tight Lines
Ryan

Tacklebuster · 07-29-2003, 10:42 PM

We had to run out about 13 miles to find 51 degree water temp last Saturday. Those nooks are hard to come by in 49 degree water. Let's pray for closer warmer water temps.

Steeliehunter · 07-30-2003, 06:07 PM

Thanks for the information.
Ryan to tell you the truth it was my son and the goose killing crew that hammered the chinooks, I just got to net them.

go fisch · 07-30-2003, 06:54 PM

Steeliehunter
Spoiled Daddy got it right. The water temps are warmer up north. Not as much upwelling as around Newport. In looking at the temps I would suggest Tillamook and north from there. Plug in the follwing address: http://www.terrafin.com/sstview/samples/freeoregon.htm