Decided to give the Oregon halibut opener a try. Some
of the crew were itching to go. Truth is, so was I. Was
going to go for all three days but weather closed in on
Thursday and so I cancelled for that day. We went down
to Newport. Its a long tow. About 6 hours. I would have
help driving if I needed it. As it turned out I made it both
ways by myself. In the picture to the right we have
stopped for a little break.
We had a halibut virgin going with us on Friday. It is
always a gamble bringing new guys on the boat but in
this case it worked out well. He was great on the boat, did
not get sick and fished all day. We gave him a work out. It
took him a long time to hook something other than the
bottom. But eventually he was hooked up. He fought it
for a long time and had to ask someone to give him a
break. He was beat. Silly took over for him till he caught
his breathe, then he was back on the rod. Not to long
though before he was asking for relieve again. The
iceman took over. So he had it close to the surface and
we got Dan to take over and finish his "fish" off. Nick the
stick was there ready to gaff the "fish" as it came up. But
instead of gaffing it he just turned around , shaking his
head.
Instead of the large halibut we were expecting this "rock"
fish came to the surface. We all had a great time giving
Dan trouble over letting a rock nearly beat him.
Dan did get a halibut a bit later. It turned out to be the
largest of the day. We got our limits and headed back to
shore. We had put out some crab pots that morning and
pulled them up on the way in. Got only three legal crabs.
Back at shore cleaning fish!
The bridge over the harbor in Newport Oregon.
Heading up the dock with the days catch cleaned and
iced.
of the crew were itching to go. Truth is, so was I. Was
going to go for all three days but weather closed in on
Thursday and so I cancelled for that day. We went down
to Newport. Its a long tow. About 6 hours. I would have
help driving if I needed it. As it turned out I made it both
ways by myself. In the picture to the right we have
stopped for a little break.
We had a halibut virgin going with us on Friday. It is
always a gamble bringing new guys on the boat but in
this case it worked out well. He was great on the boat, did
not get sick and fished all day. We gave him a work out. It
took him a long time to hook something other than the
bottom. But eventually he was hooked up. He fought it
for a long time and had to ask someone to give him a
break. He was beat. Silly took over for him till he caught
his breathe, then he was back on the rod. Not to long
though before he was asking for relieve again. The
iceman took over. So he had it close to the surface and
we got Dan to take over and finish his "fish" off. Nick the
stick was there ready to gaff the "fish" as it came up. But
instead of gaffing it he just turned around , shaking his
head.
Instead of the large halibut we were expecting this "rock"
fish came to the surface. We all had a great time giving
Dan trouble over letting a rock nearly beat him.
Dan did get a halibut a bit later. It turned out to be the
largest of the day. We got our limits and headed back to
shore. We had put out some crab pots that morning and
pulled them up on the way in. Got only three legal crabs.
Back at shore cleaning fish!
The bridge over the harbor in Newport Oregon.
Heading up the dock with the days catch cleaned and
iced.
Saturday turned out to be a bust except for the crabs. We got out to about 20 miles offshore when I made the call and turned
back. The south wind had come up strong and it was blowing hard. The were some very large wind waves coming at us and
the fun factor was greatly reduced. We did however catch a few more crabs to take home. I made a couple of flawless moves
back in the harbor in front of the assembled crowd of fisherman. That made my day. We got home early and had fresh crab and
halibut for dinner. Another good trip upon the decks of "Just Keep Fishing."
back. The south wind had come up strong and it was blowing hard. The were some very large wind waves coming at us and
the fun factor was greatly reduced. We did however catch a few more crabs to take home. I made a couple of flawless moves
back in the harbor in front of the assembled crowd of fisherman. That made my day. We got home early and had fresh crab and
halibut for dinner. Another good trip upon the decks of "Just Keep Fishing."
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