9/24 Westport Albie Report

Hamachi · 09-25-2003, 10:23 AM

Got a late start out of Westport yesterday after trouble getting live bait. Westport Seafood was selling it from 06:00 to 07:00. Arrived at the receiver at 06:45 and nobody home. Waited until they opened at 08:00 and was told they are done for the season. He sent me to another reciever on the west side of the western most pier in the harbor where I found I could've bought bait at 06:00. Got about 1 1/2 scoops of nice 'chovies for $20 and I was on my way.

Headed out solo on a 220 from the entrance after checking out the SST.

Figured around 40-something miles. There had been an east wind blowing all night which was still blowing and made things pretty snotty against the 4' west swell.

At about 40 miles the temp shot up to 59.5 and the water started to clean up to a real clean green. I counted about 5 jig boats up ahead. Passed one boat working the 59.5 water. Worked out to 48 miles and started trolling in the 60.5 water. It was capping so bad I couldn't have seen anything breaking if it was. Started working back inside because it was getting so bad I didn't want to get any futher out. At 45 miles it started to lay down - the wind had shifted to the west.

I spotted some breaking fish under a couple of birds and pulled in the jigs to slide up on them. Threw a scoop of bait and they went nuts. 45 mins later had 10 nice fish onboard. All I needed. Left them biting. Was nice to have the deck awash in red again.

Nicer grade of fish - nothing under 20 and biggest pushing 30.

Engaged the autopilot, set it for 8 knots, and cut fish on the way back in.

When I found them I was the only boat in the area, and the only boat that launched out of Westport. Same thing as last year. Amazing. Some of the best and most exciting fishing of the entire year and I was the only one who took advantage of it.

Keta, sorry we didn't link up. :depressed:

Miss B Haven · 09-25-2003, 10:30 AM

Grrrrrrr.... Wish we could get live bait down here!

[img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

Sounds like a great run Hamachi, wish I was there!

PS- Lee's gunna be bummed! :depressed:

09-25-2003, 10:45 AM

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

kamloops · 09-25-2003, 10:52 AM

Ilwaco has/had Live bait at some time, does anyone know if we can get some?
We have seen the ILWACO boats fishing with live bait this summer.

edsr · 09-25-2003, 10:55 AM

Live bait - live bait - live bait - Wow! what a way to catch fish. Wish I wuz dare.

edsr

Pilar · 09-25-2003, 02:51 PM

Hamachi, way to go! Sometimes you just have to go after it alone. Thanks for the report. Live bait is now on my short list of things to try for next year.

Can you give any details on rigging, how to use the bait and any other tips? Never done it that way before and 'they went nuts' sounds like a good reason to give this style of fishing a serious look.

Thanking you in advance.

Hamachi · 09-25-2003, 05:09 PM

Pilar, will do when I get a chance. Yes, it's awesome when you throw a scoop of 'chovies out and the tuna charge up boiling on them right off the corner! You then pin a bait on 30lb., toss it over the side, feed the line out..... it senses the pending danger and starts racing away from the boat... a tuna charges up from beneath, slurps it up and charges away while line races off your reel. You flip your reel in gear, point the rod tip at the fish, wait for the line to get tight.... and BAM! you set the hook and the fish takes off peeling line off your reel while you sink the rod butt into your groin and hang on!

Doesn't get any better!

Keta, I just realized I have your number from an old email. I'll give you a call.

Gotta go throw some tuna on the grill.

8knots · 09-25-2003, 11:42 PM

Ilwaco was selling live anchovies all summer. The yellow hut all the way out past the commercial boats.Right across from the boat ramp. They were usually open before first light and closed about 11:00.

puffins crew · 09-25-2003, 11:52 PM

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

Hooker · 09-26-2003, 04:51 AM

Nice job and those are great fish!

CATCH AND EAT · 09-26-2003, 07:06 AM

Now that sounds exciting. Good Show Hamachi!

Badger · 09-26-2003, 07:20 AM

Hamachi, great catch.

Gonna have to find some live bait.

edsr · 09-26-2003, 08:56 AM

Live Bait - Live Bait - Live Bait

Wow! That looks like more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Wish I wuz dare!

edsr

Sakana · 09-29-2003, 06:35 AM

Great looking fish. There's nothing more fun than having your anchovy smacked by the tuna, and then running away in free spool. Sounds like a great trip.

Hamachi · 09-29-2003, 06:37 PM

Yeah, Sakana.

Gonna try it again Wednesday. Thought 10 fish last Wednesday would do me for the year but the stuff I canned was SOOO good I need more for myself and to send some to my family back in L.A. for Christmas. Unfortunately, Keta won't be up here to try the live bait with me.
When it comes to the live bait trips, it's the only way to go. All you guys that have fished So. Cal. know what I'm talking about.. right, Booja?

I'll post a report after my trip.

Booja 1 · 09-29-2003, 07:21 PM

Yes Hamachi..I do agree,,throwing the live stuff is exciting...Going out again huh?? Pls give a report as usual won't you?? The Yellowfin bite down south faded but the albies have come back to play..They've grown too....lotsa 30-40 lb fish nowadays..Although Morro Bay with their usual jumbo albies haven't done anything this year...

Sakana....Sounds like a pretty "fishy" name :smile: ,,,,,ha ha.....I guess you have put your time in down south too.....Ahi....Hamachi,,,,all good sakana to me...........

8knots · 09-29-2003, 07:57 PM

I fished an 18 foot Wellcraft out of Oceanside for years with live bait. Loved chasing the calico in the kelp beds. Lived on Mission Beach as a kid. My dad would drop me off at the $5 half day boats when I was in elementary. Live bait fishing is the best. Chovies or Squid ( Candy ). When that line starts running and you have to wait to set the hook. That's some great anticipation.

Good luck on Wednesday. You and Mel are giving us some good vicarious, late season trips.

Mello-Yello · 09-29-2003, 08:43 PM

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]
Good form Hamachi...indeed that sounds like a blast.

Chaps · 09-29-2003, 10:19 PM

Yes, fond memories of longfins on live bait out of San Diego or Newport Beach. Terminal rig was simply a live bait hook at the end of your main line. No leaders, knots, swivels or lead . . . just you and the fish :smile: Actually got pretty good at casting an unweighted bait a fair distance though on a good stop simply dropping the chovie off the side of the boat meant fish-on within a few seconds. The initial run felt like someone had just attached an engine block to your line and tossed it overboard. :grin:

Good fishing wednesday! Stay safe

Hamachi · 09-30-2003, 02:44 AM

Wow, forecast doesn't get any better than this!

PZZ250-255-270-275-301630-
COASTAL WATERS FROM CAPE SHOALWATER WASHINGTON TO FLORENCE OREGON
AND WESTWARD 60 NM
330 AM PDT TUE SEP 30 2003

.TODAY...NW WIND 15 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT. W SWELL 4 FT AT 11
SECONDS.
.TONIGHT...N WIND 15 KT...EASING TO 5 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND
WAVES 3 FT. W SWELL 3 FT AT 11 SECONDS.
.WED...NW WIND 5 KT...RISING TO 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND
WAVES 1 FT OR LESS...BECOMING 3 FT IN THE AFTERNOON. W SWELL 3
FT AT 10 SECONDS.
.WED NIGHT...N WIND 15 KT. WIND WAVES 3 FT. W SWELL 3 FT.

Just wish the clouds would clear up today so the satellite could get a clear shot for the SST.