Long range sportfishers in Oregon

Mark Vickers · 09-23-2003, 09:36 AM

This whole swordfishing expedition has me wondering... Are there any long range (overnight or multiple night) charter fishing boats off the Oregon coast?

I recently took the dive into the San Diego sportfishing world with a 24 hour trip. Its a big industry down there, and I know that similar boats run out of other ports further up the California coast up to San Francisco.

Are there any boats (not private sportfishers) equipped to do such a thing around here? If they are not currently running long trips, could we possibly pursuade them to do such? Maybe organize an ifisher charter?

If there isn't a boat capable of doing this up here, would an extended length (24 hours to a couple of days) charter fisher be a profitable venture here?

Miss B Haven · 09-23-2003, 09:49 AM

Overnight Tuna Charters are the only thing I'm aware of in Oregon. Not much need for them when the fish can be found close to shore as they have the last few years.

As far as dive boats go, where would you go offshore? Nothing out there except DEEP DEEP water. Off Calif. you've got Islands to dive around, or head South off Mexico (more Island/reefs).

Dive boats and charters are pretty much day trippers around here. Lots less hassle/expense and less chance of getting "caught".

Maybe if the Salty Dogs open up a whole new Fishery out there (Swords, Stripes or ???) it will change?? :smile:

Sensei-san · 09-23-2003, 09:54 AM

There are a number of charters that do long range trips in Oregon. The oldest established charter office that does long range trips is Newport Tradewinds. It is the home of the BLITZ and MISTY. Both Capt. Robbie Waddell of the MISTY and Capt. Mike Stowe of the BLITZ do long range tuna trips. The chase boat for the "swordfish" trip was the BLITZ.

My nephew, Capt. Rich Oba, of Pacific Pioneer Charters in Winchester Bay also runs overnight trips on his Bertram 38. But he is limited to six passengers only. He specializes in rod and reel tuna fishing.

Newport Tradewinds number is 800-676-7819. Pacific Pioneers number is 888-466-TUNA.

Mark Vickers · 09-23-2003, 09:58 AM

Miss B Haven,

I think I might have stated that wrong. I didn't mean diving as in scuba. I meant diving as in "getting involved in".

Miss B Haven · 09-23-2003, 10:13 AM

You didn't mistate it, I misread it. [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img] but there are dive expedition boats that work south, way way south. :smile:

09-23-2003, 10:18 AM

SENSEI!!
You move or "just visiting" Portland? I pass through Portland almost every week and will be working in Camas next week. How is Cptn. Rich doing?

Sensei-san · 09-23-2003, 10:26 AM

Keta,

Nah... I visit my sister in Portland all the time and do some honeydews for her. Taking a break from Rich. He had me in the bilge checking some wiring and seeing if I could install a centerline oil filter instead of one engine having an outboard oil filter.

He said he had a good season. Had a couple of trips that he really got into the tuna. Actually did some live bait tuna fishing also.

09-23-2003, 10:29 AM

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

kamloops · 09-23-2003, 10:48 AM

Can't speak for anyone down South but, most of the larger Ilwaco and Westport charters 40' + will do Overnight Trips, usually leaving early in the am or late night, run to the fish, fish till dark than overnight (spotlight sharks) fish all day or 1/2day than run home, is that a 2 day or 1.5day? They do both.
Bring your sleeping bag and foam pad cause they don't have seperate sleeping quarters, like the long range Calf. boats for the passengers, also bring your own food and snacks.

I know of a party that went in Aug out of Westport and caught 150fish + - for 10 passengers. That's a pretty above/normal score on live bait, but not unusual.

I'd sign up for a 2 day trip up here Ore/Wa. if anyone else wanted to go, next year?

CATCH AND EAT · 09-23-2003, 12:00 PM

Tom you are a diehard TUNAHOLIC. I like the ocean during the day. Night-time? Maybe if conditions were right and the boat was big enough.

CAPT KUJO · 09-23-2003, 12:18 PM

There are not many boats that cater to divers, let alone are ran by divers. BE CAREFUL diving in Oregon, Its not San Deigo.

CAPT KUJO
Master Diver Trainer PADI
Instructor Trainer YMCA SCUBA

CAPT KUJO · 09-23-2003, 12:21 PM

There are not many boats that cater to divers, let alone are ran by divers. BE CAREFUL diving in Oregon, Its not San Deigo.

CAPT KUJO
Master Diver Trainer PADI
Instructor Trainer YMCA SCUBA

avid · 09-23-2003, 12:30 PM

Captain Rich Oba of Pacific Pioneer Sportfishing out of Winchester Bay, Oregon runs 24 hour and 36 hour tuna trips in August. Night time is used to fish for shark, squid and swordfish. The 24 hour trip I was on as well as the 36 hour trip before me did really well on tuna. His 38' Bertram is a very seaworthy and he is an excellent Captain and fisherman. I plan on going for at least one and possibly two 24 hour trips next summer.

David

8knots · 09-23-2003, 02:17 PM

Kamloops, with your fine riding, big boat are you talking about going overnight? I know I have mentioned it to Mel. There is nothing like the tuna bite at first light. Since I already leave at 2 to 3:00 in the morning, I have been interested in leaving the day before. A good trip would be to leave midday to the shale pile for some rockfish and then motor out to the tuna grounds. Do some late evening trolling and then spend the night and hit it really early. Need lots of ice storage and gotta have the right window weather (unless you plan on turning those outriggers into flopper stoppers) for a good night of sleep, I'm sleeping, the crew can chase sharks and squid and watch radar targets. Minaki, Mel's boat, my boat, Boadicea. That's three for starters in the armada.

kamloops · 09-23-2003, 02:38 PM

8-Knots

It's going to have to be another winter of dreaming and plotting for me.
I was planning a trip or trips all last winter than came the 4th of July. Lost some fuel capacity ya know.
Didn't want to go overnight after that mishap.
The Boat itself has completed many overnight trips outside 60 + miles.
I will be happy to plan some overnight trips next summer after the repairs are in place.
Think Mel and others will also want to go with us.
I'm like my dog, when the sun goes down, he's under my sheets sleeping, it's (you know what)
getting old. Will leave the early watch shifts to me and let others have the late ones.
Sharks scare me, and i'm lousy at Poker.

p.s.I would like to know where Bruce got his fuel bladders though.

BUGLEMAN · 09-24-2003, 07:21 AM

Ok Rojo, I know you have got to be at least currious about all this off shore action.

Miss B Haven · 09-24-2003, 07:25 AM

Where is Rojo? Haven't seen him at the dock/boat for some time? :whazzup:

royalfish · 09-24-2003, 01:07 PM

The Big Dipper out of Ilwaco leaves at 2:00 AM hitting the Tuna grounds before day light. 2 captains aboard and 2 bait boys as required by law (?) on charter trips of over 12 hours. His boat is 52' and seaworthy and has cruising speed 13 kts. Would be a blast to do an overnighter with an ifish group next year. Can arrange something like this very easily. Don't know the cost but $200+ would not be out of line.
Look forward to meeting the ifishers at a TA meeting this winter.
:smile:

BUGLEMAN · 09-24-2003, 03:14 PM

Sorry Mel don't know. He does like to hit Eagle Creek this time of year.