Tillamook Bay: Lost Pots

Ucdmcd · 11-02-2009, 09:14 PM

Long-time lurker--first post.

Fishing story: This is only the 2nd time I went fishing in Oregon. Neighbor couldn't go fishing Sunday (11/1) because his wife was sick. He was kind enough to loan me some crab pots. Headed to Garibaldi, launched, set the pots among hundreds of others, and went fishing. Had a great day enjoying the sun and water. Brother caught a 39" chinook here.

Went back to get the pots here and they were gone. Current wasn't very strong where we set them, so I don't think they drifted.

I guess it was a mixed day--good weather, nice fish, lost pots.

Anyway, if anyone happens to see 4 buoy's (boat bumpers) with "Bastian" on them, or a red/white float with "McDonald" on it (yep--lost 5 total), I'd appreciate a PM or call. My number is on my float. The pots were 2 rings, 1 collapsible cage, and 2 slip rings. You have permission to retrieve them as long as I get a call so I can pick them up.

I figure they're gone and I owe my neighbor a lot of money, but it's worth a shot if anyone happens to see them.

salmonfisher77 · 11-03-2009, 03:37 AM

They went out to sea!!! I have lost a bunch over in crab harbor and watched them get sucked out in very little current as they were covered in seaweed!!

Nobody stole your 5 pots clearly marked! They may have checked them for you to make sure your crabs were ok.....

WELCOME to Ifish!

PATRICK 11-14 · 11-03-2009, 07:04 AM

Quote: "Went back to get the pots here and they were gone. Current wasn't very strong where we set them, so I don't think they drifted."
FWI to all:
The current from the point shown to the North gets a very strong outgoing current even on soft tide swings! Around the corner in crab habor the current is way more softer than beyond the point. I will keep an eye out for them this week for you but if they made it out the bay chances are they will be lost for good with the storm projected this weekend!

Ucdmcd · 11-03-2009, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PATRICK 11-14

I will keep an eye out for them this week for you

Thank you. They were set fairly close to the beach in 25 ft (high tide) water.

When I went back, the current farther away from the beach would have definitely washed the pots away, but the current near the set point was less agressive. This was at 3:30pm on Sunday when the outgoing current was nearly max. I am hoping that the buoys were just below the water and not actually drifting.

@salmonfisher77 -- I don't think they were stolen either. Just an unfortunate mistake on my part.

Thanks again.

streamcatcher · 11-05-2009, 11:06 AM

I was at Tilly Mon and Wed, I was shocked at the number of short roped pots I saw...several floats were bobbing under just after low tide, and would not be recoverable until a brief window at high tide. I think improper sets are much more common than I would have guessed. I didn't see the specific floats you mention (sorry).
I haven't lost a pot in years, ever since putting a lot of line on all my pots-I recommend a minimum of 50 ft. On all pots, or a minimum of double the length of rope as depth to be set in.
I thought about pulling the pots I saw in trouble, but decided to focus on my limit...it's a lot of work to sort through all the little guys right now. Sorry for the expensive loss of pots.

sinkerhead · 11-06-2009, 12:29 AM

I'll keep an eye out.

5 years ago I bought 4 new pots (probably about $600 worth) and put them right where you show that you put yours, but it was a 10 foot swing that day and we stayed fishing at the GH about an hour too long after high tide. I lost them all on their first soak, so I feel your pain. I like to put them about 200 yards northwest or south of there now.

shafer · 11-09-2009, 11:28 AM

we lost 2 labor day weekend and a friend lost 1

PATRICK 11-14 · 11-09-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ucdmcd

Long-time lurker--first post.

Fishing story: This is only the 2nd time I went fishing in Oregon. Neighbor couldn't go fishing Sunday (11/1) because his wife was sick. He was kind enough to loan me some crab pots. Headed to Garibaldi, launched, set the pots among hundreds of others, and went fishing. Had a great day enjoying the sun and water. Brother caught a 39" chinook here.

Went back to get the pots here and they were gone. Current wasn't very strong where we set them, so I don't think they drifted.

I guess it was a mixed day--good weather, nice fish, lost pots.

Anyway, if anyone happens to see 4 buoy's (boat bumpers) with "Bastian" on them, or a red/white float with "McDonald" on it (yep--lost 5 total), I'd appreciate a PM or call. My number is on my float. The pots were 2 rings, 1 collapsible cage, and 2 slip rings. You have permission to retrieve them as long as I get a call so I can pick them up.

I figure they're gone and I owe my neighbor a lot of money, but it's worth a shot if anyone happens to see them.

I checked and crabbed the area over the weekend and snagged onto a pot I believe where you lost one. Broke my line off before I could get the rope up. There were a couple that looked as they had been there for awhile at low tide but I could not see any lettering on them due to the amount of seaweed on them, so I left them alone. Also saw two rounding the bend into the channel and with breakers between the tips all weekend I wasn't even going to venture to try and save anyones' pots. Checked again Sunday b/f leaving and they were nowhere to be found! My guess is there are either sanded in with any luck, or on their way to Japan!!
Sorry..tried for you and others!
Pat~

Ucdmcd · 11-10-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PATRICK 11-14

Sorry..tried for you and others!
Pat~

I really appreciate you looking. Sounds like there has been a warehouse full of pots lost in this area. I'm ok with the loss, but hope nobody tangles a prop if the lines are still there--especially in that area when the tide is flowing hard.

Thanks again!