Trask Tidewater

Been jonesing to fish lately so I threw the yak on the car and headed West.  Stopped at Tillamook Bait for some eggs and advice.  I'd been planning on heading  to Memaloose for a paddle up the Tillamook but Marie told me I'd have a better chance working the Trask.

Got to the 5th street boat ramp around 11:00.  There were probably 8 or 10 trailers in the lot and I found a spot right across from the ramp.  The report from those leaving was that it was a slow morning.

The wind was blowing upstream and the tide was dropping so paddling was pretty easy both directions.  I started off trolling spinners. Stopped at the slough below the Hospital Hole and threw eggs and then Blue Foxes for a while, trolled some more and worked the corner holes with eggs.  On two of my passes trolling I had takes but the 1st was a slack line bite and by the time I got my rod out of the holder it was gone.  The second slacked my line for a moment and then took off, setting my drag screaming.  Again, I couldn't capitalize.  It was still peeling line as I took the rod out of its' holder but as soon as I had a good grip, I felt the hook pop. @#$%^&*

This was my 1st go out in the Trask tidewater.  A depth finder would have helped immensely.  I was able to pay attention to what was going on around me and soon figured out where some of the slots and holes are.

As a yak fishing destination, this area wasn't bad.  I'd imagine it gets a little dicey on a busy day though.   



Not a bad day really. Saw one ~25lb chromer landed, heard of 6 or so others.  Also saw a pair of bald eagles in a tree overhead and learned a bit about tidewater Chinook fishing.

 

Sounds like a good day on the water. One tip I do have for you about trolling for salmon though. When I troll and get a hit I try and give 2-3 more paddle strokes. It doesn't give a perfect hookset but it does set the hook a little and gives you a little time to get the rod out of the holder. Once the rod is in your hands you can give a light follow up hookset which I think gives you the best chance at keeping the fish on the line. Just make sure you don't swing for the fences on the second one.

Z

"Better to have hooked and lost, than never to have hooked at all."

I'm going to try and get out there next weekend (maybe a weekday trip as well).  Let me know if you'd like to combine trips and save some gas money.  I've got a fish finder and a full jar of Ammermans eggs!

I might be up for next weekend.  My play days are Sundays.  Only things that might get in the way are a drift trip down the Nestucca or perfect surf. 

The work load is too heavy to play hookie any time soon but it's not suppsed to start raining till Friday anyway.

I will be fishing the lower Trask and Tillamook this weekend if anyone is interested.  The fish like to hold in that slough its 14 to 18 feet at low tide, its were you want to be when the tides out. It can get crowded at times though.  I'm planning on Friday and/or Sunday. Saturday and Monday I might try the Nehalem.

Welcome to NWKA kykfshr.  Go gettem!!!  I look forward to your report.

-Allen

OK guys, the surf is forecasted to be out of control on Sunday and my buddy with a driftboat will be hunting all weekend.  I guess I'm in for a Sunday trip on the Trask. 

3wt/kykfshr, you guys still interested in hooking up?

I'm in.  Low slack is at 8:45 on Sunday morning... should we plan to hit the water around 7:30 - 8:00?

I think that 7:30 is the call.  I expect the ramp to be packed Sunday, given the rain we're supposed to get. 
Good thing we can slide in on the grassy side. 

Hi guys, been out of town and away from my computer since first post. I did not really introduce myself, my name is Scott and I have been kayak fishing for about 2 years now.  I live in Seattle but mostly fish on the Oregon Coast since we have a place in Seaside. I did manage to meet some of the other fisher people at the Everett Salmon Derby (hello to you all).  Were getting ready to drive down the Coast tonight, So Ill be able to fish the Trask Tomorrow, I will let you know how it goes. Gotta go

Hi Scott, I remember running into you at the derby.  Glad to see you finally signed up here.  Good luck this weekend.

-Allen

Fished the lower Trask Yesterday from 8:00 to noon. lots of bankies, saw three caught nothing for me though.  I'll try again tomorrow, I'll be at the 5th Street ramp between 7:00 and 7:30, if anyone is still interested.