New to OR, not to kayak fishing

Hey all,

I'm Bradley, currently living in Eugene, OR. I've been kayak fishing for about 4 years now. Haven't done very much fishing here in Oregon yet. I originally got into this sport when I was living in Charleston, SC. I was tired of throwing money into my boat, so I sold it and bought a Ascend FS12T ( I thought that boat was amazing). I was saving money and still catching fish...just nothing to brag about. After 10 years in the military, I'd decided I'd had enough "fun". Seeing as my wife was from Eugene, we packed up and moved out here. I did a little paddling out on Fern Ridge lake w/ my kids, mostly letting them wet a line. Nothing was caught, but they had a blast. After living here for 9 months, the weather (the 2 snows here in the valley and the rain.....I'm not from the Pacific Northwest, so yes the rain was dragging me down), we sold everything and moved to Hawaii. My obsession for the sport of kayak fishing hit overdrive once we got there. I had sold my Ascend boat and convinced my wife I needed a Hobie AI. I joined the aquahunters forum there, and met a couple other disabled vets and we all started fishing offshore every weekend. I learned a lot and had a blast catching fish. Never a dull day on the water, from Tony the Tigershark bumping my boat, to the massive manta ray jumping out of the water, to watching the mahi chasing flying fish, it was a great time. After being there for a year, my sons health wasn't doing to well and neither was mine, we've made our return trip back to Eugene. So, we've been back for about 4 months now and well I'm itching to go out. I grew up in north Mississippi, so I'm a little behind the 8-ball fishing out here and looking for people to fish with and some places to go. I look forward to talking to you all and meeting up and fishing with everyone.

Just sold my Hobie AI this morning (so now i'm in the market for a Pro Angler if you guys have any leads, let me know)
Also have a Jackson Big Tuna (got it to take my kids out with me)

Hi Bradley, welcome to the forums! It sounds like a real bummer that you had to leave the Island. Luckily, we have some amazing fishing on the Oregon coast. There are lots of guys in your neck of the woods that I expect to chime in soon.

Chris

I'm in Garibaldi right on the Tillamook bay I also have a big tuna. Once my torn left shoulder heals up hit me up I love to fish. You can also come over on May 2nd and hit the tournament to get acquainted with the guys and the bay. We're going to try to hit PC on Sunday the 3rd weather permitting also.

Yeah I like the Big Tuna, although my kids like it more due to the fact I do all the paddling and the FaceTime seating stops me from getting a random hook in me. Haven't put a lot of time in the seats of the Jackson yet though. And I haven't had to deal w/ current yet either, so we'll see how much I enjoy it once I'm in those situations. Thanks for the invite up, and I'll do my best to make it.....depending on kids schedule w/ soccer/baseball or whatever else they have going on. This spring/summer is a great time for me to fish (I'm not in school until fall, so a lot of time on my hands).

Welcome Bradley....there are handful of us in the Eugene area also along with more up and down the valley. We have some tournaments coming up that you should attend to put all the names with the faces on here. MoJo JoJo has his coming up and there is also the ORC in Depot Bay July 11th along with AOTD in Charleston August 22nd. Both great events to join!

Josh