NW Outdoor Explorer

The weather synopsis is not always 100% accurate. The ocean conditions on paper looked to be similar to the flat conditions we experienced last week. Reality was something a bit different. Crossing the bar was not too bad, but once outside, the water never layed down. We headed straight out West from the river till we started to spot boats on the horizon. We got our lines in quick hoping for that first drop in bite. Unfortunately, it did not happen this time. After a few minutes, we pulled the lines and headed out further west. We got into the thick of the fleet and dropped in. It was not too long, we got our first bite. It was a short chinook and had to be released. Almost immediately after the release, we got our second bite. This one was a very nice keeper coho. We had a few more drive byes before the bite turned off a little. At this time, the rough seas claimed its first victim on the Aquaholic. It was overboard chumming time. 🙂 We were far enough out now, we turned the boat toward shore and trolled with the wind and waves. This made for a better ride, but was not calm by a long way. Trying a couple different spots and different directions, we found the fish again. It was not long before we had our boat limit after some short biters, drive byes and one other short chinook. Today was a good day. We were off the water by noon heading home with the boat this week. It needed to be fueled up and the grass pressure washed of the bottom. Next week is the Buoy 10 opening weekend and we will be ready.

We are a week late due to some mechanical problems on the truck, but the wait was definitely worth it.

Last week, we had a small issue with the truck not starting. I first thought it was a failed starter, but with a replacement starter, it still would not engage. At least I thought it was not engaging. After some investigating, I discovered the flywheel was spinning free from the engine. As a result, the torque converted welded itself to the adapter plate and also had to be replaced. After a couple $$$$, we were back on the road and ready to go fishing.

Got the boat launched and headed over to the bait dock. I have the live well mounted and wanted to try it out to keep the bait fresh this year. Loaded up with 4 pounds of bait. We were surprised by the size of the bait this year. Pretty large means not as many per pound. We should be ok. The bar crossing was ok today and ocean was a little rough. We headed straight out to one of my goto spots that seemed to produce more than not last year. Getting the bait out of the live well and trying to hook them on the leaders proved to be a little tricky. For some reason, they just would not stay still for us to run hooks through them. 🙂 Got the lines in the water and before too long, fish on! We had very good success last year running just a diver and leader with anchovies. We decided to keep it simple and do the same this year. It seems to still be working. The time between bites was a bit long, but the day overall was consistent. Lots of fish caught. Many wild coho had to be let go. Even managed to hook one chinook on a spinner, but it was a bit short and had to be let go as well. One of my crew caught his first keeper and even though it was legal size, he decided it was not big enough and let it go. Well, the fish gods did not seem to like that and rewarded him with natives the rest of the day. The rest of the boat limited out with some nice coho. The first trip of the season did not disappoint.

It was a cold day in early March, but it was a beautiful one none the less.

After getting the motor 100 hour service completed, we decided to get out for a little “Here fishy fishy!!”

We launched from the Ridgefield, WA ramp and had a short run to the Columbia River. DFW decided to close the lower Columbia from Warrior Rock down, so our favorite spot was not accessible. Our next goto spot would be Bachelor Island. We found a nice spot to snuggle up to the beach and set anchor. The water was a chilling 36 degrees and the wind was calm.

Wrapped the plugs with some good herring and floated them out about 60′. The rod tips had a nice rhythm going. Headed back into the cabin with the heat blasting and commenced to watching the rods.

After about 6 hours, the tide had turned and not a single bite. Maybe next time. 🙂

We were fortunate to have a couple weekends of good weather heading into the end of 2018.  This made crabbing limits even more enjoyable this time of year.

Here is some of the equipment we have decided to use. If you would like to purchase your own, click the links below.

Our first outing, we launched from the Ilwaco marina and headed out at the bottom of the outgoing tide.  We set our traps along the red can line from buoy 18 to 22 in about 45 ft of water.  Instead of hovering, we headed back into Ilwaco while the traps soaked for the next 4 hours.  We took this time to clean up the boat a little, enjoy some adult beverages and even had a nice lunch up on the patio at Ole Bob’s.

After our little break, we headed back out to check the pots.  First pull, we got into 22 nice sized keepers.  We set the traps back and hovered for the next hour.  Our second pull, we reached our limit and headed back in.

Even though the ocean is closing after this Sunday, we jumped at the opportunity to fish the river with Hotline Guide Service LLC (Jason Berg).  It was a pleasure to take a break from being captain, just drink beer and watch the rod.  We have enough coho for now and were on the hunt for some big chinook heading up river.

The report from the day prior was no bites on the incoming tide then landed 3 for 6 after the tide change.  Regardless of the previous day report, we headed out early looking for that incoming tide bite.  Unfortunately, we did not find it.  The morning was pretty slow, but It was not long after the tide changed that we got the first two fish in the boat.  We attempted to chase the school up river.  Got into a couple more bites and ended up losing them.  It took us a while longer to find the fish again before we landed our third fish.  After a few more fish lost, it got to that time to call it a day.  I think we went 3 for 7 or 8.  Overall, it was a great day on the water with some great people.

Thank you Alex and Jason.

This was the best day of fishing so far.

Crossed the bar a little late.  I think it was about 0830.  A good hour after the tide change.

On our way out, we started seeing boats returning from the ocean.  Holy crap, did we miss the bite????

Our plan was to head north, but with several boats returning from the buoy line, we decided to see if we can still make something happen from where they were.  Good thing we did, because it was pretty much lights out from the moment we dropped our lines in the water.  We mush have caught 25-30 fish before we got our boat limit of 8 fish.  Less that 3 hours and we were done.  The only unfortunate thing was no Chinook.  It was a coho rodeo for sure.

Another back to back weekend.  With the projections so grim, I am trying to take every opportunity I can to get out on the water and stake my claim before my upcoming week long buoy 10 trip.

Today, much of my regular crew could not make it opening up seats for a backup crew member and someone new I just met.  It is always a pleasure to get someone new out with us when we can.  They usually bring some good luck.

We crossed the bar at the end of the outgoing and it was a bit rough.  On top of that, it was a bit foggy and visibility was low.  Did not quite need the radar, but it was in standby just in case.

We started out to the North.  After a couple crossed lines and getting our bearings, it was game on.  The new guy brings one in the boat.  I will take a little of the new guy luck anytime.  🙂

We continued the troll for a bit.  Found a nice rip and followed it out to deeper water.  Had a couple more bites, lost some and tossed back some natives.  The fog started to lift and we found ourselves in the middle of the charter fleet and about 150 or so other boats.  It was crazy how we all migrated to the same spot.  We watched 4 or 5 nets fly around us.  We could not manage to get another bite.  The odds were not in our favor.  It was time to move.

The ocean was pretty flat and I was able to cruise again near top speed to my special spot.  Dropped lines in the water and immediately started to get bites.  Some more natives had to be released.  We did finally manage to get our second fish in the boat.

We were seeing pretty good action, but not many keepers to be had.  We finished the day with just the two keepers.  These two keepers happened to be the first salmon of 2018 for these two guys.  That made my day.

Again, only three people in the boat.  The wind forecast was worse than the day before.  If we can find the fish and get off the water by 2pm, we should be good.

Started in my new favorite spot.  Lines in the water not even two minutes and we get hit.  Manage to get the fish next to the boat and before I can take a swipe at it with the net, it is gone.  🙁

Lines back in the water and a few minutes later, another hit.  This time, it is gone before it gets near the boat.  The water is pretty rough and could be playing a factor.  Time to loosen the drags.

We continue this for several passes and each pass, we get hit once or twice.  Nothing in the boat so far, but the action is great.

After the bite turns off in this location, we move to my #2 spot.  Cut the motors and just drift.  Before too long, we have one in the boat, release a couple natives and lose a few.  This is turning out to be a great weekend.

The winds are picking up and we still need five more fish in the boat.

We manage to get one more in the boat before we decide to call it a day.

The wind chop was so bad by this point, getting back to the bar was a slow crawl.  I love my pilot house.  Once we actually get the the bar, it was not bad to cross.

This week, we are a man down.  Only 3 people in the boat this day.  If we can find the fish, it should be a short day.  🙂

Well, it took us a while to find the fish, but once we did, it was lights out.  The fish were basically following the boat.  We were fishing 18′-20′ on the line counters.  The current allowed us to cut the motors and just drift.  One fish after another.  Some keepers, some native and some short.  We used almost all the bait and finished the day with 5 coho keepers and 1 very nice Chinook.

This was the week that persistence payed off for sure.

We decided to start this week where we got our one and only fish last week.  Not a single boat in the area.  Some people think if there are no boats, there must not be any fish.  I do not understand that reasoning.  I almost prefer to be where nobody is and make my own success.

Within minutes, my rod gets nailed and after a short fight, the first keeper coho is in the boat.  🙂

We continue along my path and another hit on my rod and another keeper coho in the boat.  This is turning out to be an incredible day for me.  This almost never happens.

Bait back in the water and another coho in the boat.  I am not sure what it is this week, but my rod is magic.  Hardly any other bites on the other rods at this point.  I think we got a short that was returned on another rod and maybe a couple of other drive bye’s.

I hate to be selfish, but when the gods smile on you, you have to take every advantage.  The coho finally arrived.  We finished the day with 5 nice coho in the boat, all from my rod.  It was a clinic.  🙂