Newport Salmon Slam on Lake Pacific 8/6

Tacklebuster · 08-06-2003, 03:10 PM

Today had to be the flatest ocean I have ever had the privilage of skippering my boat out on. I have spent the last three days fighting the sloppy bar out of Astoria and found today to be like fishing in a mill pond.

My wife and myself hit the water this morning at 9:20 and ran out 12 miles. Dropped gear and within 25 minutes had three nice hatchery ho's between 9 and 11 pounds in the box. We then went through five more fish with fins before we got the last fish for the big boat "L". I stepped my sled up to 38 mph and ran back to a nonexistant bar like a hot knife cutting through warm butter. Nothin like it bros!

The fish were all up top hitting green glow hoochies behind a fish flash and diver at 8 to 14 pulls. Saw a couple of sharks and a ton of jelly fish. Gotta go vac pac some vittles and get some shut eye.

CATCH AND EAT · 08-06-2003, 03:23 PM

And just how do those green glow hoochies work chris????

Good show! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Big Smizz · 08-06-2003, 03:29 PM

Who-hoo! That is a great report! We are planning on heading out of Newport on Saturday, weather permitting. Would you mind saying what the depth was where you were fishing? I am just thinking about where we should start fishing on Saturday. Thanks for the help!

ANDYCOHO · 08-06-2003, 04:12 PM

Way to go Tacklebuster! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Tacklebuster · 08-06-2003, 05:20 PM

Bernie- Those green glow hoochies work wonders, thanks bro

Big Smizz- You could have fished fished at around 7 miles out if you wanted cause I hit 52 degrees at 7 but I have a spot that has been red hot at 12 so I went knocking on her door again. I was fishing in 260 to 270 feet of water but saw bait up top feeding at 200 to 220 feet. The best advice I can give you is to head due west from the jaws until you hit solid 52 degree surface temp water. Drop gear and start trolling and pretty soon, fish on. If you haven't been bit in 15 minutes, pull up and run west a little more until you get a little deeper. Three weeks ago we had fish right off the beach but it's not the case now. Find 52 to 55 degree temp and you find fish.

AndyCoho- Much thanks for all the advice you gave me a month or so ago about finding the salmon out in the big blue. It has worked wonders and has brought more boat limits than I care to vac pac

ANDYCOHO · 08-06-2003, 05:53 PM

Good to hear!

There is just something I love about the way a Ocean caught Coho will make a rod dance in the rod holder. :grin:

One of these times we are bound to bumb into each other out there...till then keep the reports coming!

My favorite trick when I drive through a school of stubborn Coho is to crank the boat up to 5-6 mph for 2-3 seconds then let it fall back to an idle, always impresses those on board. Just when I start hearing complaints that their rods are going to break with the strain of the diver, I idle back and it's just about a sure thing that there is a fish already on just not able to trip the diver until I slow down.

So have you found any little tricks that always produce?

[ 08-06-2003, 06:59 PM: Message edited by: ANDYCOHO ]

Tacklebuster · 08-06-2003, 07:21 PM

Actually I have and it put three fish to the boat today. When I mark a group of fish and have zero takedowns to show, I will go back through the school. I will have my guys free spool the line back a little ways and then start to reel in slowly. I always have a light steelhead rod with a big silver rapala with the trebles replaced by barbless singles. I will have a guy standing on the dog house watching the other guys reel in with that rapala ready. Just as soon as you can see the diver and flasher, I toss the rapala out and twitch it on the suface then burn under the water. Those coho's will hammer the rapala sometimes hitting it topside with an explosion that would stun even the best bassmaster on the BASS trail. What a thrill

The other trick I like to do is when someone is fighting a fish and it's running around the boat, I like to throw a rapala or kastmaster in the general area. I have cought quiet a few this way this year. I have also tried jigging crippled herring under bait balls but haven't had too much luck with that yet.

I had something weird happen today while netting a fish. My wife had a hot one going and she kept saying "it's a keeper, it's a keeper, net it, HURRY!" Of course the fish was nowhere near ready to net making long side to side runs around the boat. I saw the fish and made a stab. She said "you missed" and said "how do you figure, I got the fish right here." She was still fighting her fish and I netted one that was running with it :shocked: I would have never believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes.

ANDYCOHO · 08-06-2003, 09:05 PM

I will have to try that Rapala trick, I have dragged a hoochie behind the boat just with a swivel and mooching rig on a steelhead rod and had some incredible takes.

I love seeing those Coho follow each other to the boat, it truly is amazing how many fish are really down there...

Ramstrong · 08-07-2003, 06:57 AM

Congrats Tacklebuster. Hmmm, that rig you were using sounds familiar.

So Bernie, what you are saying is that I've made a green glow hoochie convert by proxy?

The real question is how do YOU like those green glow hoochies.

[ 08-07-2003, 07:59 AM: Message edited by: Ramstrong ]

CATCH AND EAT · 08-07-2003, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ramstrong:
Congrats Tacklebuster. Hmmm, that rig you were using sounds familiar.

So Bernie, what you are saying is that I've made a green glow hoochie convert by proxy?

The real question is how do YOU like those green glow hoochies.

CATCH AND EAT · 08-07-2003, 07:04 AM

Well Ryan, I have used hoochies before but not the green glo. I would have to say that saturday I loved them. sunday was another story. I could'nt buy a fish on anything at all.

Ryan, you are the greeeeeeen gloooooo hoochie man.

Chris, I did'nt even bother vaccum packing the last batch. They went right in the smoker this week. I did up some springers too and some sturgeon that has been in the freezer 6 months. Man it is all just plain good stuff. My 3 year old took one bite of the salmon and would not put it down. More dad more! Dinner, no thanks just some smoked salmon...and can I have some crackers and cheese too????? How could I turn him down. Heck mom did'nt even have to cook that night. I think she kinda liked that deal. :grin:

[ 08-07-2003, 08:09 AM: Message edited by: CATCH AND EAT ]

Ramstrong · 08-07-2003, 08:45 AM

How big is your smoker? Just make sure you don't put it next to a cedar tree or fence :shocked:

I'm glad they worked for you. If the green glow isn't producing (rare), then switch to pink or purple/black. But there's nothing like fishing a green glow at first light. When are you fishing next? I might be able to cough up a few more tricks

CATCH AND EAT · 08-07-2003, 09:18 AM

Suppose to fish out of Depoe Saturday for tuna and halis. Not fishing Sunday, well at least I don't think Im' fishing Sunday. May change my mind depending on how she goes Saturday. Just wish we could have some decent weekends with good tides and flat oceans for a change.

At this point I am planning to hit it again next weekend for salmon.

Tacklebuster · 08-07-2003, 10:05 AM

Bernie- If you guys are fishing next weekend for Salmon out at the plug, I'll meet you there

I sure like the idea of having a running partner even when Salmon fishing. Not to mention the safety factor but it sure helps to find fish when you got two boats with multiple rods hunting. This time I'll put in at Ilwaco and skip the wet and wild ride between buoys 22 and 14.

WildHawg · 08-07-2003, 10:07 AM

Hmmmm...illegally netting coho in the ocean ay son?? Don't try and tell me you released it... anywhere but your cooler :tongue:
Too funny!!!! Never done that--but I gotta say you must need some more work on your netting skills if you're entirely missing the fish your suppose to net and getting their buddy.
Listen to your wife

CATCH AND EAT · 08-07-2003, 10:37 AM

Ryan I smoked up 60lbs of salmon, steelhead and sturgeon. Trying to make some room for TUNA and Halibut from this coming saturday's blood bath.

Finished vac-pac last night. My feet are tired from all the standing. Delivered some fishies over to my folks house and mom was canning some Tuna we got with Mel two weeks ago. Can't wait to try it. Someone here on the board say it tastes pretty good. :grin:

Chris, would love to run with ya again. I'll check the tides at the "A" jetty for next week and let ya know what time I'll be heading out.

Tacklebuster · 08-07-2003, 10:56 AM

Bernie- Cool

WildHawg- Any Salty Dog can net a hooked ho at the boat my bro, but it takes honed wits and reflexes of a mighty jungle cat to net it's running buddy :grin:
It was the wierdest thing I ever saw, look down and see a coho at the side of the boat. Put him in the net and see your wife still fighting a fish, totally wierd bro.

DISCLAIMER- For all the lurkers on the main board that will send me nasty e-mail that I took a fish illegally, the fish was wild and was released unharmed into the mighty Pacific without ever being removed from the water. :grin:

[ 08-07-2003, 11:57 AM: Message edited by: Tacklebuster ]

ChinookSlayer · 08-07-2003, 12:20 PM

TackleBuster - You Da Man! :tongue:

Not only do you slam the Sturgeon, but the Ho's as well.

I need to get my boat out in the big blue as well. I haven't done that yet. I was looking at bouy 10 around the middle of August, but with close by fishing, I might just have to postpone that trip. It is sort of a hard decision. Astoria has the three fish limit, but limits aren't fish. Newport has a two fish limit, which has a strong chance of being made. Then there is the whole Nook question. I would take a nook three to one over a ho. Fights better and eats better IMHO.

What do you think?

[ 08-07-2003, 03:17 PM: Message edited by: ChinookSlayer ]

Sturgeon Tom · 08-07-2003, 09:21 PM

Way to go Tacklebuster. I am going to try the Rapala thing Saturday I hope.
Where are you going to fish out of Saturday?
st

Tacklebuster · 08-07-2003, 09:55 PM

ChinookSlayer- If I was looking to get myself into some fish, I would hit Newport before the closure. Chinooks are being taken on a regular basis and I have put some dandies on my boat thus far. The three fish limit out of Astoria will be cool if and only if the silver run actually happens in the river this year. Last year was a bust for ho's if you ask me. The URB's will be in full force in another couple of weeks in Portland. So many fish, so little time [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

ChinookSlayer · 08-08-2003, 06:09 AM

Thanks for the thought TackleBuster. I was thinking the same thing, but it is good to hear it from other people as well. The ocean thing out of Newport is pretty much a sure thing these days.

My boat is similar to yours. It is a 20' BoiceJet. You have a Formula Vee don't you? If I see you at the launch sometime, I will give you a tap on the shoulder and say hi.

Tacklebuster · 08-08-2003, 07:58 AM

ChinookSlayer- I have a 20 foot Weldcraft Renegade inboard jet sled (Blue/Green). Your Boice will work great out there. I will be fishing tomorrow morning at first light. I like the predicted conditions at 2 and 3. I don't like the 6 seconds apart but the salmon should only be a couple of miles out now due to the Southernly winds warming up the water temp.

CATCH AND EAT · 08-08-2003, 08:22 AM

Go get'em Chris.

I'll be thinking about ya while I am fishing Tuna! :grin: