Ray Bar just below the mouth of the yamhill river?

SCR Steelheader · 04-13-2005, 08:43 PM

hey i was just wdonering how the fishing is in this area, figured i go down there this weekend and do some plunking, i have some private access just below the mouth of the yamhill on the opposite side of the river.

WaterDog · 04-13-2005, 08:53 PM

Water is off color but dropping. There are a few fish around. Good luck.

SCR Steelheader · 04-13-2005, 09:06 PM

Thanks WD

Fishinisbelievin · 04-16-2005, 10:50 AM

FishrKid,

Living in the French Prairie area and in search of new fishing opportunities closer to home, I went out yesterday (prior to reading your post today) looking for bank access to possibly do some plunking on the Willamette, across from the mouth of the Yamhill River. I was unable to find or access this location from the roads on the East side of the river. It appears that without access knowledge and landowner permission, it is not possible to bank fish this location. I went upriver to San Salvador and Wheat Land Ferry to see if these areas were suitable for plunking. I saw one boat on the river, but no one plunking from the shore. The river current and bank access look good and may be suitable for plunking. Have you had any experience plunking in these locations? Thanks for any information that you feel comfortable sharing.

SCR Steelheader · 04-16-2005, 06:53 PM

well i just went out today to just below the yamhill on the west side. i saw one fish caught for 2 boats, and we had about 4 take downs that never stuck, i have never been plunking for springers or any salmon before this so they might have been pikeminnows or squaw fish, we got one those buggers and they seemed to hit about the same as the other takes we had been getting so that was discouraging, but oh well, heading to another spot tomorrow.

reelbigfish72 · 04-17-2005, 06:56 AM

if you can find a spot with a somewhat gradual gravel bank and decent current and fish in about 3-10 feet of water you'll have a decent chance. If you use prawns the pikeminnows wont mess with you as much as with some other baits (like eggs). I've also seen a few guys do well w/ just a spin glow, no bait.

SCR Steelheader · 04-17-2005, 10:28 AM

hey thanks reelbigfish, we were using cured prawns. theres one spot with a gravel bank but you have to cross a slough to get over there and the water was to high so we had to go to a spot that wasnt my first choice at all.

WaterDog · 04-17-2005, 10:45 AM

You'll catch bass as well. Squaw fish will eat any kind of bait so I usually never use any, all hardware. I've have them eat a whole smelt.

reelbigfish72 · 04-18-2005, 04:55 PM

Whenever I've fished off the bank at San Salvador the pikeminnow never really seemed to mess with the prawns a whole lot. If you're in slower water or right above some slower water (or near some structure) they mess with you more too. Personally I use mostly hardware too. If you use spinners from the bank it's a good idea to put a cork float about halfway up your leader to keep the spinner off the bottom or else use a spinner on your slider (top) rig and a big spin-glo on your fixed (bottom) rig. That (the cork) works well in the boat too if the water's a little slow.