Plans for 1st fishing trip of 2020

What is everyone's plans for their 1st trip of 2020?

I want to take a winter trip up to Crescent Lake, but that will depend on recent snowfall. I also would consider trying to chase some big brood trout for AOTY 2020 points. Another possible trip for me is Yaquina Bay if the Ocean isn't cooperating.

What are your plans?

To not waste a moment of time thinking about it while it's still 2019...   

To not waste a moment of time thinking about it while it's still 2019...   

Apparently someone needs another cup of coffee.  One of my winter hobbies is tying up flies and planning out fishing trips for the upcoming year.

I like fishing Crescent or Billy Chinook in the winter since they are usually accessible all winter.  I also like fishing the reservoirs that you can’t get a power boat into during the winter.  When I am ready for a break from the cold, Tillamook Bay is always a good option.

I'm a planner too.  Thinking about all my favorite spots and new ones to try for the first time makes me happy.  I like the ideas so far and might run into you guys out there. 

Columbia river walleye in the same time frame is a good choice if you're looking for a trophy, and you might pull up a 20" smallmouth on accident. 

I just sorted out  a bunch of steelhead gear yesterday but I don't think I will wait until 2020 to get started. I got a bunch of retro spoons I've cleaned up and put new hooks on. They look fishy to me. I just hope to get out 10 or so times this season. As for kayak fishing, that might be a while. I think I only made it out a half dozen times or so this year. It's nice to have goals, though.

I am a teacher, so I have winter break coming up.  Blackmouth opens in MA 9 and 10 on the 1st. I think I am gonna try and hit that hard.  If that doesn't pan out, I can try for squid during the day, or head over to Lake Sammamish to try and get some cutthroat and hatchery coho.

I'll be hitting MA10 for blackmouth -- putting in and fishing around Golden Gardens, but maybe also paddling across to Jeff Head. Need to read up on the fishery a bit more.

Hoping to jig up some fish, but I'm also hoping to throw together a DIY downrigger. A cheap levelwind shouldn't have much problem with reeling in a 4-6lb downrigger weight - right?

I'll be hitting MA10 for blackmouth -- putting in and fishing around Golden Gardens, but maybe also paddling across to Jeff Head. Need to read up on the fishery a bit more.

Hoping to jig up some fish, but I'm also hoping to throw together a DIY downrigger. A cheap levelwind shouldn't have much problem with reeling in a 4-6lb downrigger weight - right?

For the price of a levelwind, just purchase a scotty laketroller.  I have one mounted on my slayer 13 and it handles a 6lb ball no problem.

I've launched from Golden Gardens and peddled to Jeff Head before.  It is definitely doable, but you wanna try and time it so the tides are in your favor. Its a long paddle.

For the price of a levelwind, just purchase a scotty laketroller.  I have one mounted on my slayer 13 and it handles a 6lb ball no problem.

Thanks - I have a spare levelwind, so I figure I'll try to DIY it first. Unless someone advises that reeling up a 4-6lb weight will mess up the levelwind, lol.

Yep, I think Jeff Head is like 5 miles from Shilshole. Time it with the tide, I figure the trip would take about an hour. 

Well, it looks like my 1st outing of 2020 will be Yaquina Bay. My wife wants to do the Newport Resolution Run on January 4th. I agreed as long as I could bring the kayak for after the run.
Depending on winds and tide as to where I will fish. As a kid I used to catch some perch off of the rock finger leaving the marina. I think I could fish that is almost any weather.

I'm with you, I am in the process of planning my 2020 trips.  So far, I have only made plans for Lake Powell in May and Tenmile Lake in June.  Still waiting on some of my fishing buddies to let me know what dates they have available.  So, more planning ahead.

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Steelhead fishing a local river, no doubt. This'll dovetail into several attempts over the last couple weeks. Winter steelhead have been off to a terrible start here on the coast so far. I know December is typically a grind for them, but December 2017 and 2018 at least produced a few fish for me. Still no steelhead signs for me this season.

That being said, the Chinook fishing's been surprisingly good lately  . A fresh batch of chromers showed up this week. They'll be off-limits after today, but I'm sure they'll continue to tear apart my steelhead gear for a while longer.

Clayman -- your dog's expression is nothing short of golden.

Nice fish, btw!