Halibut Off Ilwaco

[PST]

Hey guys looking for some help here.  The past couple years my father and I have fished for halibut off of La Push.  Let's just say we had some good experiences and more bad experiences, weather issues!  I'm sure some of you recall the boat capsizing last year and one fisherman passed, we were out the same day in the same place.  Didn't witness the boat capsize but heard all the calls on the VHF.  Anyways, we're looking to go off Ilwaco this year (that way if the weather is bad were not losing a day, we can fish for sturgeon).  Problem is I don't have much info on halibut fishing out there.  I used to work for Pacific Salmon Charters and tried to get some help from the captains but all I could get was head west for 30 miles.  I've been researching the Astoria Canyon, which looks good to me.  Sorry to ramble but any information would be helpful.  Also, if you guys have some stories of fishing out there or crossing the bar it's always good to hear those experiences.  Thanks a bunch!

[shoot-em-dead]

First off- pay attention to the bar report. We go out to where the shelf drops off. Most of the time you'll be fighting the current a little but if you stay on top and in 400 to 650 ft of water (check your maps) you'll find fish. I'll call my buddy tomarrow and get you some gps locations of where we go. The bar is pretty rough at times and you'll have to keep an eye on the tides, wind, and current. They can sometimes be going all different ways. Longest we had to wait in the ocean to come back in was 4 hours but you never know.

[PST]

I would really appreciate the info.  I'm not trying to steal any hot spots by any means but if your friend is willing to share I would be much abliged. 

I am pretty familiar with the bar, I've had my experiences out there.  The Columbia river bar pilots web site gives a very good up to date bar report and forecast.  Aswell as the Coast Guard there in Ilwaco.

[Hunterman]

Is'nt there a 30 fathom rule for bottum fish on the Washington coast?

I'm thinking about hitting Illwaco this year. Mainly for crab, and seabass. Should be some good seabass off North Jetty, ans A Jetty.

Hunterman(Tony)

[TONTO]

Try ifish.net do a search on the Salty Dogs you will find more halibut info than you may know what to do with.There are lots of dogs that run out of Ilwaco.I'ld give up some numbers,but don't have them at the moment.Head west is actualy the best advice I can give at the moment about 25 miles out you will see the fleet,just squeeze in and pick your drift.As the opener aproaches send a PM me and my brother would be happy to show you the way,can never have too many wingmen.

[PST]

What kind of boat do you run TONTO?

[TONTO]

What kind of boat do you run TONTO?

A 14' duck skiff with a 25hp johnson,would be a long ride out though.Actualy I'm a boat ho,it's my brother's tub.He runs a 21' NorthRiver OS,bigger might be better,but it gets us out for the butts and TUNA,we gotta pick our days,but it handles it fine.We usualy head out of Hamond, but Ilwaco's on the way out,we stop in there for live bait on them late season TUNA days.So area 1 opens may 1st for butts,depending on weather the 2nd(saturday)may be doable.

[PST]

Well I guess I would be considered a boat ho aswell.  I run out with my dad on his 20ft trophy.  It does okay, definately need bigger though.

My dad I and work shift work.  And of course they're totally different types of shift schedules.  We're trying to figure out if were even going to be able to make it out there this year.  Since it's only going to be open thurs, fri, sat.

If we figure it out for this year I'll PM you, possibly do the buddy boat thing.