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08-18-2009, 05:07 PM | #1 |
Casey H.
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Newport Spearfishing Report - August 16
Seawolf and I met up at the Rogue Brewery Sunday at 0900 for some jetty spearing. We were hoping to get into some rockfish, Lingcod, and Cabezon. Halibut was closed down for the season, so we didn't waste any time on them. We were in the water by 9:45, which was a balmy 55, with vis close to 15'
working out way out on the East side of a 1-200 yard rubble finger, we found plenty of red rock crab, but no fish. After about an hour of checking holes and looking for any signs of life, I crossed over to the West side. I made a dive to about 20', and swam along the side of a large rock structure. Ahead of me was a wall of kelp, to my left was the open water and sandy bottom, to my right the wall turned into a small cove. I swam into the cove looking for any holes for fish to hide in, and sure enough found a dark spot right in the corner. I drug my rock grabbing floatline to give me some slack while I stuck my flashlight into the darkness where I saw a black gag grouper - or what I can only describe as that. It was a HUGE black rockfish, probably 10-12lbs I'm not sure if it was the shock of finally seeing a fish after half an hour of emptyness, or shock at how big the fish was, or even if it was because I was wrestling with my damn float line, but either way, by the time I squeezed the trigger, he had retreated too far into the cave. I came up, reloaded, and prepared to dive on him again. Subsequent dives produced nothing. I guess that's how he got so big. On the surface Tyson (Seawolf) confirmed that he had seen one or two similarly sized fish, but that they were "smart bro". High tide was at 10:23, at which point vis degraded to 8-10', which is still great for Newport. We continued to hunt our way out the finger into deeper water, picking up crab along the way. Before we reached the point Tyson said, "the point is going to be good", and he was right. I dove down in about 20 - 25' of water right into the middle of a school of black rockfish. Picking the biggest one I could find, I let lose. The shaft went through his body just behind the gills, and above the lat line, but did not stone him. He swam deep into the rocks, and tied my shaft up. I spent the next 15 min un-****ing myself, all the while Tyson is slaying the rest of the school. I finally got my shaft back without the black on it, and went back to spearing. The next fish I hit stayed on, and ended up being about an 18" red. We speared on into the day until we had each reached our 6 fish limit. On the way back towards shore, we concentrated on finding lings, but to no avail. All in all we were in the water for 3 hours, caught 13 red rock, and one dungeoness. We each limited out with 6 rockfish, and 0 ling or cab. While we were cleaning our fish by the brewery, several people came up to clean their Albacore. One group had actually bought it from some commercial guys, but they were there none the less. More motivation for the upcoming tuna trip. we're still looking for one or two more divers for that trip, so let me know! |
08-18-2009, 05:11 PM | #2 |
Casey H.
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Re: Newport Spearfishing Report - August 16
Here are some pics:
Pre dive scouting Getting ready to dive You can just make out the rock finger in the water After the dive - Two successful hunters!! Cleaning station The Rockfish Who wants to go next? |
08-18-2009, 06:37 PM | #3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 29
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Re: Newport Spearfishing Report - August 16
dang man nice catch. Your makin me really wish I had come. I just gotta get all my gear in order then i'll be ready for a trip down there congrats.
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08-18-2009, 07:20 PM | #4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Grass Valley, CA
Age: 62
Posts: 391
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Re: Newport Spearfishing Report - August 16
Nice pics!, brings back memories. Jon and I had a great time at that finger, that's where I dropped down on the big ling (without my gun) We had a good time with the school of blacks off the point also. How was the current?
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Jim |
08-18-2009, 07:50 PM | #5 |
Casey H.
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Re: Newport Spearfishing Report - August 16
Where was that ling? We didn't see ANY sign of them.
Current was passing through, maybe a knot. It was barely noticeable unless you went up on a high point, and even then it was nothing. You guys coming back up at all? |
08-18-2009, 08:26 PM | #6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tigard OR.
Posts: 70
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Re: Newport Spearfishing Report - August 16
That is nice I was hoping to go today but did not get the chance to. Do you know what finger that was that looks like about the second or third counting from the big bridge.
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08-18-2009, 10:59 PM | #7 |
Casey H.
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Re: Newport Spearfishing Report - August 16
You'll find fish on all of the fingers, but we were hunting #1
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08-19-2009, 09:30 PM | #8 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Grass Valley, CA
Age: 62
Posts: 391
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Re: Newport Spearfishing Report - August 16
Quote:
Won't be back this year.
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Jim |
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08-19-2009, 11:06 PM | #9 |
Casey H.
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Re: Newport Spearfishing Report - August 16
Thanks for the report.
I dont worry about scuba guys too much (I also scuba FYI). I have pulled up on a wreck where scuba guys are just finishing up saying "there's nothing down there....bla bla bla. We drop on it freediving, and it's loaded with fish! Not that they wouldn't try to throw the competition off, but scuba is noisy. well, let me know next time you're up. we should have the Albacore hunting down by then |
08-19-2009, 11:44 PM | #10 |
Winter Is Always Here
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 789
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Re: Newport Spearfishing Report - August 16
It was great to get out for my first Oregon freediving experience. Thank you Casey, let's find those cabs and lings next time.
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08-27-2009, 11:45 AM | #11 |
Casey H.
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Re: Newport Spearfishing Report - August 16
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08-27-2009, 05:09 PM | #12 |
Winter Is Always Here
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 789
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Re: Newport Spearfishing Report - August 16
I might be able to do something this weekend. Let me know.
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08-27-2009, 06:05 PM | #13 |
Casey H.
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Re: Newport Spearfishing Report - August 16
I've got a family reunion this weekend. I'll be there labor day weekend, or I could do some other time.
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09-03-2009, 12:09 AM | #14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 16
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Re: Newport Spearfishing Report - August 16
I'd be down to go sometime, I can't go this weekend I'm going to california, but any time after i'm totally down.
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09-03-2009, 12:15 AM | #15 |
Winter Is Always Here
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 789
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Re: Newport Spearfishing Report - August 16
Hey sharik, did you spear that pike in your avatar? I've always wanted to take one by spear.
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halibut, lingcod, newport, oregon, rockfish |
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