2 Bay/2 Day 8/27-28

   I know the rock fish are small in Tillamook Bay, but as a former NC bass fisherman, I just love fighting the little buggers on a trout rod. On Wednesday, I met Shannon in Garibaldi for the end of outgoing and went out to the south wall crabtrapless wanting to focus on fishing. It was really red hot for most of the morning and I am sure I caught close to 50 rockfish. I have to admit to keeping six for tacos since I really do like the moist flesh on these little guys. They are like bay crappie.
   Afterwords I had a burger in Garibaldi and went over to the Nehalem and launched at a spot Shannon told me about (turn right at the blinking yellow light) to catch the end of the incoming tide. Never having fished this area, I was excited to see a few fish rolling and light pressure. I trolled a pink spinner and after awhile saw a fish roll right behind me. This never works, and I usually feel like a reactionary dumb-ass, but I turned around to troll right over the spot where the fish rolled and shazzam- I got slammed! I run a paddle driven kayak and it seems like every time I hook a salmon, I just reel myself right on top of it and I end up with a fired up fish right next to my boat with my spreader flush up to the rod tip. I always scream "go down, go down" wanting the fish to cool off before I attempt to net it. Not cooperating I just had to guide this spunky little hen around the kayak for awhile on the topwater until I felt somewhat comfortable showing it the net. Luckily, I did get the net around the fish and that capped off a really great day. That evening I could not help but pester some more rock fish off the north jetty where I was camping.
   Thursday I took the outgoing out to the south wall in Tillamook Bay again and really sored my arm up catching another several dozen rock fish. I pulled a crab trap this time and only ended up with 4, but I am kind of sick of crab anyway. I went out to the Nehalem again and again saw fish rolling with light pressure, but this time wasn't able to connect. The wind situation was a little deleterious that day.
   I hope everybody here gets out there and catches some salmon! Thanks again to Shannon "Jojopotato" for fishing with me and showing me that mellow launch in Nehalem.

Great looking fish!  Sounds like you had a great time.

I'm glad you got the one that rolled. I always feel like they are just giving me the finger when they do that.

I'm glad you got the one that rolled. I always feel like they are just giving me the finger when they do that.

They are giving you the finger but minnowmagnet don't take no crap from a fish! I had a blast fishing with you as always.

This is a great report. It's all about the love of catching fish. On a trip this spring to Prineville I could only find the plentiful dink smallmouth and you know what, I had one of the funnest days fishing I've had in a long time. It sounds like you had an awesome trip. I admire your energy - 3 put-ins in one day is 2 more than I'm usually up for! Crab and salmon and rockfish... you're eating well.

thanks. I did have a lot of fun out there, but I only did two put-ins a day. I fished the north jetty from the bank that first night.
If anyone wants to catch little rockfish off the jetties either from the bank or kayak (or boat), I would highly recommend the Gulp 4"minnow on a 1/4 jig-head. It is amazingly superior to anything I have used for shallow water rockfish.
Fished St. Helens and PDX since I got back and didn't have any luck so I can't wait to get back to the coast.