Out of Deep River - Sturgeon

[PST]

Hey Guys! I'm heading out of Deep River Friday and Saturday for sturgeon for a friends bachelor party. I haven't been able to fish the area this year and was curious if y'all could give any tips. I used to fish this area a lot. I also worked on a charter vessel out of Ilwaco for a summer. I'm asking for any tips cause two of the four of us haven't caught anything bigger than a largemouth bass! I'll be carrying the normal baits; fresh sandshrimp and fresh anchovies, from Eva's, and plenty of different scents. I would like to show the two newbies a good time so any information would be more than helpful! Thanks!

PST
Will have post w/ pics once returned!

[elkspert]

You might want to see if its still open for retention. I heard on fathers day it was red hot and that the quota might be reached. We usually have our first trip of the season that weekend and its usually pretty good. Check salmonuniversity web site, they may have something posted. Good luck.

[PST]

There is no mention of closure on the wdfw page.  Didn't get anything in the email either.  The season is going to close on Sunday for a few days, suppose to reopen for July 4th weekend.

[huntnphool]

Will be there Saturday myself

[PST]

Will be there Saturday myself

There will be four of us in a white, 20' bayliner trophy, with a blue top.  One of the guys is 6'6'', so he shouldn't be hard to pick out! Say Hello!  I haven't met anyone from the site before.  We'll probably be camping at deep river launch aswell.

[cohoho]

Haven't ever used the Deep River launch?  Nice?  Easy access to the Columbia?  Washington side Right? and does it have a bait shop there or close by?  Would sure beat going to the Chinook launch and get the wave rider slip and slide ride on the way home in the evenings....

[whacker1]

Deep River is not a great launch, but pretty good for the area.  Biggest issue is shallow channel depending upon the tide levels on the way in and out of the columbia. 
Lots of room to camp

[cohoho]

I guess it beats 1 foot of water over the sand bar when going fom Oregon side to Washington from the John something launch over there.     Ate a whole lot of sand a couple weekend ago traveling across that area, whew....  Thank goodness the tide was inbound, but never got stuck just stepped on the throttle and touched a couple times...

[whacker1]

If you are at low tide, you can run into the 1 foot of water situation just outside the mouth.

I suggest talking to some local folks at the launch and seeing if they wouldn't mind you following them out, and then plot a course on the gps, so you can return inbound in the same fashion.

[cohoho]

Where is the launch at?  I found two others in the area beside Chinook.  One was the Knappton Boat Launch, it the nasty one right on the Columbia with a pretty wicked decent, no hard launch, used to be an old cannery with piling everywhere to navigate through.  don't think I can make it through them for width?  Seen jet skis there nothing bigger, the other was the Grange Ramp Access on the Grays river, concrete plank ramp for 15 trailers?  But the only thing on the Deep was something as in the form of a landing, if folks launch props there then I can get out with minimal issues.  But just don't know where it is...  Thanks for any information you can provide.  Mike

[whacker1]

they launch props there - fairly sizeable boats at times - 24 foot plus.  decent launch with rough looking dock.

Deep river is just east of Naselle a few miles. 

The road is Oneida rd. and is on the west side of the deep river bridge on highway 4.
Oneida rd is a few miles long and I believe is a private boat launch.  The owner/caretaker has a shack part way down where you pay a launch or camping fee, might sell some bait.  I haven't been there for several years.  You then follow down the road aways to the launch.  From the launch to the mouth is probably 1 mile by boat or less. 

I haven't launched there for 6 plus years, but I have friends that still  use it. 

[PST]

It's a halfway decent launch (NO power loading or unloading).  Especially fishing above the bridge, a lot more convenient than chinook.  They do sell bait, if you want fresh chovies you need to call before 3pm the previous day and reserve.  She doesn't get extra chovies only what's reserved.  She usually has fresh sand shrimp.  The launch fee is $5, not sure what the camping cost is.  I'll be there friday night and possibly saturday night. 
Eva's Bait (360) 465-2582. 

[cohoho]

Well thinking about heading there and trying that launch out, since I'll probably fish above the bridge anyhow, Sat, will be in a Blue Rio Classic Thunder Jet with a 3/4 hardtop.  I'll have the radio on channel 68 and will go by Cohoho... 

[PST]

I'll try and remember to do the same.  Channel 68 and going by "P.S.T." White trophy boat, dark blue top.

[h2ofowlr]

Talked to my buddy who fished it earlier this week.  They limited out.  The launched out of deep river.  They tried fishing in 11' then moved out.  They finally caught all there keepers in about 40' of water.  The bite was a little deeper.  The sardines are also starting to move in, so call in your order at Chinook and grab a few bags.  The bit is on right now.  My other friend left for Chinook at 2:00 this afternoon.  Should have a report tomorrow.