After work banking

Now that the light is lasting a bit longer, there is some time for wetting a line after work. I work downtown and live outside of Newberg. Any suggestions for easy access bank fishing spots between these 2 places that might actually be productive?   

Thanks, Jay

I've never fished there, but theres always a lot of bankies at Meldrum Bar, on the east bank of the Willamette just above the confluence with the Clackamas (right outside Oregon City).

I took my kayak and gear to work with me last week... used a bike cable lock to lock the boat to my Jeep.

oh bother, i thot this was related to sitting in the drive thru line at your local branch office after work

Downtown PDX? Man you need to strap the boat to the roof and join the Hawthorne trolling fleet!

I worked in the Portland building and had a window that framed the Hawthorne hole. Watched Springers get caught daily (occasionally, I actually worked). I had daddy duty most evenings, so I rarely got to join them.

 There is a public paddle boathouse and paddle launch on the east side under the bridge. The launch, which is conveniently (or inconveniently, depending on your perspective) located in the hole, could fish pretty well (never tried). It's usually busy with with rowing crews.  I launched on the downriver side at the power boat dock near the fire station. MUCH less traffic (usually none) and better parking.

The bank under the bridge is a Smallmouth hot spot and I suppose you could swing a Kwikfish or herring out in to the spot. But be forewarned, this is a trolling hole and you might upset the fleet. Its perfect for the kayak though. This is urban angling at its best!

BTW I was on a waiting list to store my boat in the boathouse. Any of y'all are welcome to my spot if it has not expired. It was fairly cheap too ($30 to $40 per month) if I remember correctly.

On Security: I had (have) a fat cable and lock that just fit through the scupper  on my Cobra and through the drive well on the Hobie. Then through the windows and locked inside the car. Nobody ever bothered it, but the parking area is well used and  next to the river walk.

I will probably get to the point soon that I can take everything with me to work and paddle for a few hours.

However....until then, what techniques would you use bank fishing at Meldrum bar (remember I'm new to gear fishing, be kind )

Jay

However....until then, what techniques would you use bank fishing at Meldrum bar (remember I'm new to gear fishing, be kind )

Jay

I'll give you a quick overview but you can find diagrams and in depth discussions about this on ifish.

-Tie in a 3 way swivel or spreader to the end of your line.
-To that add a dropper line (18" to 24" long) with a pyramid sinker around 6 or 8oz.
- To the remaining eye on your 3 way tie in a 2 to 3 foot length of leader
- On that, place a spin-n-glow (with the fat end facing your swivel)
- Next place a small corky or bead
- Then tie in a hook (appropriately sized to your Spin-n-Glow)
- You can also add more 3 ways and tie in up to 3 seperate spin-n-glows but try it with one first.
- When you're ready to cast, lay it all out on the ground behind you, take ALL the slack out of your line, make sure your set to free spool, double check that you're set to free spool, triple check that you're set to free spool and then launch it.

Again, for better info. do a search on ifish

However....until then, what techniques would you use bank fishing at Meldrum bar (remember I'm new to gear fishing, be kind )

Jay

I'll give you a quick overview but you can find diagrams and in depth discussions about this on ifish.

-Tie in a 3 way swivel or spreader to the end of your line.
-To that add a dropper line (18" to 24" long) with a pyramid sinker around 6 or 8oz.
- To the remaining eye on your 3 way tie in a 2 to 3 foot length of leader
- On that, place a spin-n-glow (with the fat end facing your swivel)
- Next place a small corky or bead
- Then tie in a hook (appropriately sized to your Spin-n-Glow)
- You can also add more 3 ways and tie in up to 3 seperate spin-n-glows but try it with one first.
- When you're ready to cast, lay it all out on the ground behind you, take ALL the slack out of your line, make sure your set to free spool, double check that you're set to free spool, triple check that you're set to free spool and then launch it.

Again, for better info. do a search on ifish

Yes, I've seen a set-up like this on ifish and elsewhere. I don't think I have a rod designed to handle that much sinker weight. Any recommendations on a rod for this kind of fishing up to $100?

Jay

Yes, I've seen a set-up like this on ifish and elsewhere. I don't think I have a rod designed to handle that much sinker weight. Any recommendations on a rod for this kind of fishing up to $100?

Jay

Joes has a sale on Celilo<sic> rods right now.  I saw a couple of good stout plunkers for about 30 bucks.  Lots of others for under $100.  You're not looking for anything high end or graphine.  When a fish bites, you know it so you don't have to worry about sensitivity.
If you're new to casting that much weight, you might go with a big ole spinning combo.

Yes, I've seen a set-up like this on ifish and elsewhere. I don't think I have a rod designed to handle that much sinker weight. Any recommendations on a rod for this kind of fishing up to $100?

Jay

Joes has a sale on Celilo<sic> rods right now.  I saw a couple of good stout plunkers for about 30 bucks.  Lots of others for under $100.  You're not looking for anything high end or graphine.  When a fish bites, you know it so you don't have to worry about sensitivity.
If you're new to casting that much weight, you might go with a big ole spinning combo.

No time to learn like the present. I won a Berkely IM7 Buzz Ramsey rod and Ambassadeur 6500 c4 reel and have cast that a bit. I think that rod is rated up to 3 or 4 oz. Would this rod be beefy enough?

It'd be a shame to stress out an IM7 like that but you could do it.  I'd try 1st with a smaller weight like 4oz. and move up only if it doesn't hold.

Tighten down the casting drag a little before trying to cast out that much weight or you'll end up with a backlash.  Milliseconds later you'll hear what you think is a gunshot and your gear will be sailing across the river..... As FFTW would say "Don't ask me how I know..."