Pacific City On Friday 5/10

I guess that both of those statements are likely. It was barbless and I did have a half eaten sardine at one point. Yea, I have the right bait presentation. Now all I need to figure out is how to hold on to my rod when netting salmon and rig my bait correctly for halibut so they don't get a free meal.

I had a blast out at PC  on Friday, the fish were biting I landed two black rock fish (one was 18") and I had something big come unbuttoned pretty much as soon as I saw color about 10-15 feet down from my yak,. The current at the end of the day was brutal for a guy paddling a Big Game against a 2mph current.  The amount of wildlife I saw while paddling was also amazing.
I know this is a fishing forum so i wont get too involved, but I  saw some really cool natural interactions. First of all was a couple of juvenile bald eagles flying out to the haystack and hunting seabirds, thousands came bolting off the rock above me and  one of  the eagles snagged a gull. ( Would have been great if I had video of it) Also had a group of tufted puffins buzz my head and land not 5 feet in front of my kayak. I also saw a bunch of small grape sized jellyfish in the water all around me Millions of them, and then they were gone.  With all of the natural beauty and the fact that I put some fish in the cooler I can't wait to get back there.  Maybe make the paddle out to the halibut spot.  Big thanks to Noah, Nate,  Langson, and Craig for all of the knowledge, it was great to get back on the salt, its addictive!!

bunch of small grape sized jellyfish in the water

Most likely not jellyfish, rather a whole different phylum ctenophora (a.k.a comb jellies).   Having seem them at Pacific City before I'm going to guess you probably saw Pleurobrachia bachei (a.k.a. sea gooseberry).  Sorry, sometimes I find the need to don my marine biology nerd hat.

I haven't seen many puffins near the rock and certainly never a bald eagle hunting sea birds.  Between that and the reports of salmon and halibut being caught, I'm very jealous I had to stay home for this trip. 

Brian

bunch of small grape sized jellyfish in the water

Most likely not jellyfish, rather a whole different phylum ctenophora (a.k.a comb jellies).   Having seem them at Pacific City before I'm going to guess you probably saw Pleurobrachia bachei (a.k.a. sea gooseberry).  Sorry, sometimes I find the need to don my marine biology nerd hat.

I haven't seen many puffins near the rock and certainly never a bald eagle hunting sea birds.  Between that and the reports of salmon and halibut being caught, I'm very jealous I had to stay home for this trip. 

Brian

Yeah, I've seen bald eagles looking for lunch on the rock; it's pretty interesting.  Those are the times I usually keep my distance from the rock though since the ensuing shit storm can get pretty bad.   

Brian,

I figured that they were probably something like that (ididnt want to get too nerdy with my explaination)  But , after looking up the species you suggested that's exactly what I saw out there, they were all over the place.   I have been a bit of a bird watcher for the past ten years, (no to the extreme, but I like to ID  and list new birds when I see them) So being out so close to so many new birds was a real treat, and the hunting eagles was really a great spectacle. I am a wetland ecologist so I end up being enthrawled by all manner of living things, and the PNW marine ecosystems are realtively new for me , so its great to see it all up close rather than just in a book or a website.  Also it's good to know that I am not the only biology nerd on this forum.  Next time I wont feel ashamed to let my nerd flag fly

-Bernie   

Can anyone explain to me why halibut can be caught in 35-90 feet in the straight, but we need to go deep off the Oregon coast?  Btw how deep is that Hali spot at PC?

Almost all the fish this weekend at Neah Bay were caught off the ocean side, not the straight side.
Halibut can be found shallow, but are more plentiful deep.

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bunch of small grape sized jellyfish in the water

Most likely not jellyfish, rather a whole different phylum ctenophora (a.k.a comb jellies).   Having seem them at Pacific City before I'm going to guess you probably saw Pleurobrachia bachei (a.k.a. sea gooseberry).  Sorry, sometimes I find the need to don my marine biology nerd hat.

I haven't seen many puffins near the rock and certainly never a bald eagle hunting sea birds.  Between that and the reports of salmon and halibut being caught, I'm very jealous I had to stay home for this trip. 

Brian

Yeah, I've seen bald eagles looking for lunch on the rock; it's pretty interesting.  Those are the times I usually keep my distance from the rock though since the ensuing shit storm can get pretty bad.   

I did get shit on.  It looked a lot like the Pro Cure Bloody Tuna scent.  It was much more unpleasant though. Stupid bird got me in the hand and leg.  Go eagles!

Can anyone explain to me why halibut can be caught in 35-90 feet in the straight, but we need to go deep off the Oregon coast?  Btw how deep is that Hali spot at PC?

 
We are out at about 160 feet.  Its about three miles out and 30 miles back.   At least it felt that way with the 2 mph current.

Here is a shot of Nate lining up for the spear gun shot. 

Who'd a thunk that halibut wear ANSI Z87+ rated safety glasses.  That spear bounced right off its eye/head area.

Thanks for the info.   I'm going to try to hook one off the northern Oregon coast as soon as the weather gets better again.  What are you guys using for bait besides hering?

Nice Halibut and salmon guys. Wish that I had gone also.

Wobbler

I've definitely seen Bald eagles harassing the birds on the PC haystack before. Haven't seen a puffin - I have seen plenty of Common Murres.

I did see a couple of puffins. It's a tie between puffins and turkey vultures for my favorite beach birds. Puffins are mad cute and turkey vultures dismantle the sea lions that wash ashore before they start to stink too badly.

Great shot of Nate's bendo!

Thanks for the info.   I'm going to try to hook one off the northern Oregon coast as soon as the weather gets better again.  What are you guys using for bait besides hering?

We used squid.  I did not know I was going until the night before so it was the only bait I had in the freezer. 

Thanks Craig.  I might try a halibut lure setup I got awhile back that has two huge hoochies with scent holders and circle hooks.  Maybe bring bait as well.

Thanks Craig.  I might try a halibut lure setup I got awhile back that has two huge hoochies with scent holders and circle hooks.  Maybe bring bait as well.

Sent is the key! Of the five halibut caught last weekend I think three were caught with power bait.

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