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Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: PST on June 24, 2009, 11:36:55 AM

Title: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: PST on June 24, 2009, 11:36:55 AM: 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!
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: elkspert on June 24, 2009, 07:02:47 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: PST on June 24, 2009, 08:23:13 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: huntnphool on June 24, 2009, 08:26:42 PM: Will be there Saturday myself
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: PST on June 25, 2009, 10:26:56 AM: Quote from: huntnphool on June 24, 2009, 08:26:42 PM
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! :chuckle: Say Hello! I haven't met anyone from the site before. We'll probably be camping at deep river launch aswell.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: cohoho on June 25, 2009, 01:12:17 PM: 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....
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: whacker1 on June 25, 2009, 01:24:39 PM: 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
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: cohoho on June 25, 2009, 01:34:55 PM: 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. :yike: 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...
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: whacker1 on June 25, 2009, 01:38:06 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: cohoho on June 25, 2009, 01:55:04 PM: 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
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: whacker1 on June 25, 2009, 02:21:23 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: PST on June 25, 2009, 08:14:38 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: cohoho on June 25, 2009, 09:03:33 PM: 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...
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: PST on June 25, 2009, 09:59:58 PM: I'll try and remember to do the same. Channel 68 and going by "P.S.T." White trophy boat, dark blue top.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: h2ofowlr on June 25, 2009, 10:24:12 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: shoot-em-dead on June 25, 2009, 10:51:26 PM: I've been out of the deep creek launch one time. Four years ago I was crunched by an excavator and had my foot amputated. (The accident is another story) After I got out of the hospital I had many many friends new and old stopping by. On old buddy from my single days stopped by and offered to take me fishing. Obviously I agreed after we talked about how to get the wheel chair and my drugged out and weary butt into the boat. He had a jet boat with removable seats and was exited to bring me not only to help out a friend but to get some pics of a handicap with a keeper stugeon to promote his new guide business. We left early and we were on the water in no time. He was a little worried about the outgoing tide but turned to tell me that we made it through the shallow spot. We got down by the Astoria bridge and all of a sudden the boat comes to a dead stop. We had run aground. After the tide went out I could only see sand in all directions. He was so embarrassed that he grabbed a pole and headed out to fish off shore and left me in the boat four four or five hours with nothing to do but wave at passing cars up high on the bridge. After the tide came in we did go fishing but only for an hour since he had to get back. I just wish I had a camera or the strength to get out of the boat and get pics of his guide boat stuck out there. I've wondered if anybody passing by on the bridge got pics.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: h2ofowlr on June 26, 2009, 07:57:12 AM: Those that fish down there regularly know where those nasty sand bars are. I've also sceen the big sled pile up on the bars inside the mouth of Deep River. Good stuff.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: Jeremiah P on June 27, 2009, 05:27:57 PM: Any updates, Antlershed and I are heading down tomorow?
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: popeshawnpaul on June 27, 2009, 09:41:13 PM: Awful fishing today... Out of deepwater on the columbia 120 guys caught 18 fish yesterday (including non legal fish). Today 178 guys got 25 fish and 8 were legal... Bad bad fishing. I wouldn't go unless it's a beer drinking trip... :dunno:
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: huntnphool on June 27, 2009, 09:52:13 PM: Bit of humor today though, there was a big tide movement, almost 9 feet in 5 hours or something like that. Early this morning we were fishing around Portuguese Pt. just down from Deep River and saw a guide boat high and dry. He made the suicide run from Portuguese Pt. to Tongue Pt. and didnt quite make it :chuckle: They sat there all day, even saw guys on the sand bar throwing a football around. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: huntnphool on June 27, 2009, 10:33:04 PM: Quote
Today 178 guys got 25 fish

Piss poor numbers, and even worse was we got three of the 25. You watch, F$G will come up with some BS report saying the quota has been met and they are closing it down after Sunday. :bash:
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: Antlershed on June 27, 2009, 10:48:39 PM: Quote from: huntnphool on June 27, 2009, 10:33:04 PM
Quote
Today 178 guys got 25 fish

Piss poor numbers, and even worse was we got three of the 25. You watch, F$G will come up with some BS report saying the quota has been met and they are closing it down after Sunday. :bash:
My dad said one of the locals in Cathlamet told him today that he heard it is closing tonight at midnight. Nothing on WDFW website, so we are going in the morning.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: huntnphool on June 27, 2009, 10:52:57 PM: Good luck Brent, let us know how you do. Tides look a bit better tomorrow than today but not much. Stay upriver in the afternoon, rumor on the UHF today was whitecaps at and below the bridge and two small craft lost. :bdid:
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: Antlershed on June 27, 2009, 11:39:26 PM: Quote from: huntnphool on June 27, 2009, 10:52:57 PM
Good luck Brent, let us know how you do. Tides look a bit better tomorrow than today but not much. Stay upriver in the afternoon, rumor on the UHF today was whitecaps at and below the bridge and two small craft lost. :bdid:
Dang, sounds bad. We plan on sticking above the bridge. Hopefully we can get into them. I'll post a report tomorrow night when we get back.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: ICEMAN on June 28, 2009, 05:27:53 AM: Quote from: huntnphool on June 27, 2009, 09:52:13 PM
Bit of humor today though, there was a big tide movement, almost 9 feet in 5 hours or something like that. Early this morning we were fishing around Portuguese Pt. just down from Deep River and saw a guide boat high and dry. He made the suicide run from Portuguese Pt. to Tongue Pt. and didnt quite make it :chuckle: They sat there all day, even saw guys on the sand bar throwing a football around. :chuckle:

Are you sure that wasn't their guide they were throwing around? :dunno:
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: cohoho on June 28, 2009, 09:13:08 AM: Man I don't know where you guys fished but we actually slammed them hard down above the bridge yesterday, 25 fish to the boat had to throw 14 keepers back over board, 6 oversized all on the same circle hook with the same bait.... :yike:

Oh ----- Now I remember, that was the trip I had when I feel asleep on the way home................... :chuckle:

But for the record, Circle Hook to quote - Myth Busters, "PLAUSABLE"- One bite, one hook up, and one fish...
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: shoot-em-dead on June 28, 2009, 09:18:11 AM: Damn Cohoho, I was excited you showed them up. :bash: I guess it goes to show how much we can trust you. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: huntnphool on June 28, 2009, 11:06:02 AM: Just got a text from Wea300mag (first pic) then got the second pic about 30 minutes later saying, "got Jims fish, heading home" Looks like the two of them did pretty good today, two keepers before 10:00 and heading home. Way to go guys, sooner or later the students always become the teachers :tup:

FWIW, 50CalJim is a monster of a man, that fish is a little bigger than it looks :chuckle:
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: Antlershed on June 28, 2009, 11:35:03 AM: Sitting down here now. Six shakers to the boat so far. I wanna know where they were cause we are still in long pants and sweatshirts. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: huntnphool on June 28, 2009, 11:52:08 AM: Quote from: Antlershed on June 28, 2009, 11:35:03 AM
Sitting down here now. Six shakers to the boat so far. I wanna know where they were cause we are still in long pants and sweatshirts. :chuckle:

Get off the damn internet and watch your rod tips, this may help :chuckle:
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: Antlershed on June 28, 2009, 05:13:39 PM: Well we decided not to go quite all the way to Deep River, so we launched a little farther upriver, and fished ALL OVER the place. Final count was six shakers to the boat, a couple fish lost, and a couple other missed hook sets. I think we saw two keepers caught and heard of an oversize over the VHF. Heard some other guys talking on the radio and they said shipwreck was dead. Did hear of a 39.2lb King getting caught today though. :yike:
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: actionshooter on June 28, 2009, 05:38:45 PM: Quote from: huntnphool on June 27, 2009, 09:52:13 PM
Bit of humor today though, there was a big tide movement, almost 9 feet in 5 hours or something like that. Early this morning we were fishing around Portuguese Pt. just down from Deep River and saw a guide boat high and dry. He made the suicide run from Portuguese Pt. to Tongue Pt. and didnt quite make it :chuckle: They sat there all day, even saw guys on the sand bar throwing a football around. :chuckle:

Pretty sure I saw that boat. There was another high and dry on China beach :chuckle:

I guess I shouldn't laugh, we hit sand once :rolleyes:
Same as everyone else, Saturday SUCKED big time. We fished from the church to tongue point= looonnnng day.
Checked with 3 guys I know who own charters and they were running about 50% on keepers. Didn't even bother today.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: jackelope on June 28, 2009, 08:34:22 PM: that fish that jim is holding is actually an oversized fish.
:)
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: huntnphool on June 29, 2009, 10:04:47 AM: No news yet on the F&G site about a closure.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: popeshawnpaul on June 29, 2009, 10:20:35 AM: It could close for all I care. I'm done with sturgeon for a while... :fishin:
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: huntnphool on June 29, 2009, 10:22:31 AM: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: Wea300mag on June 29, 2009, 10:27:35 AM: Instead of starting a new thread I will add some pics from our trip to the happy sturgeon fishing grounds. My fish (first pic) was 46+" and 50Cal's was 42". It was amazing how much thicker the 46" fish was compared to the 42". I added a pic of an undersize that we promptly released, along with some other misc pics. We do need to give phool some props for taking 50Cal out last year. We fish quite a bit around here for salmon, halibut, lings, crab, and shrimp but knew very little about sturgeon fishing before 50Cal's trip. This was the first time I have ever fished for sturgeon and the first, and only, fish I caught. I'm going to attribute it to "clean living". :chuckle:
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: huntnphool on June 29, 2009, 10:29:56 AM: Great pics Dan, good eats too :drool:
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: Antlershed on June 29, 2009, 11:45:15 AM: That water looks fairly smooth. We fought the wind all day, but with 3 wind socks out we held fairly straight. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: huntnphool on June 29, 2009, 03:29:06 PM: Quote from: Antlershed on June 29, 2009, 11:45:15 AM
That water looks fairly smooth. We fought the wind all day, but with 3 wind socks out we held fairly straight.

I get tired of pulling them in while fighting fish and throwing them back out, I just use my kicker now, it doesnt use much gas.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: ghgetter on June 29, 2009, 03:57:28 PM: Down by the dam last week was good. Between the three of us we took in over thirty fish. Had it been Thursday we would have had 4 keepers...and this oversized one of our guys caught.

Shad count is/was way low...really had to work for our bait.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: Antlershed on June 29, 2009, 04:56:18 PM: Quote from: huntnphool on June 29, 2009, 03:29:06 PM
Quote from: Antlershed on June 29, 2009, 11:45:15 AM
That water looks fairly smooth. We fought the wind all day, but with 3 wind socks out we held fairly straight.

I get tired of pulling them in while fighting fish and throwing them back out, I just use my kicker now, it doesnt use much gas.
Towards the end of the tide I was using all 3 socks and the kicker in reverse. :yike:
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: cohoho on June 29, 2009, 06:34:01 PM: Knew I should have went east versus west............ :bash: :bash: Sounded like you had a great day...
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: PST on June 29, 2009, 07:49:21 PM: Fished out of Deep River all this last weekend, with little success. Definitely not like years past.

Friday - My father lost a large fish and one other missed bite. Nothing to the boat.

Saturday - One keeper (45") and one peeler lost (about had us spooled by the time we got the anchor released). Weren't prepared for that one plus a loose drag.

Sunday - Fought the wind all day but did manage one keeper (44") and two shakers, both (39 1/2").

Overall had a great time, weather was beautiful, except for the wind sunday. Seemed like the best bite was within an hour after tide change in the morning. Fished various depths and many different spots (deep river area all the way to the bridge). Most fish were caught in 11'.

Will post pics when I receive the email.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: h2ofowlr on June 29, 2009, 08:23:39 PM: My keeper from below the Astoria Bridge.
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: Wea300mag on June 29, 2009, 10:44:30 PM: Quote from: Antlershed on June 29, 2009, 11:45:15 AM
That water looks fairly smooth. We fought the wind all day, but with 3 wind socks out we held fairly straight. :chuckle:

All those pics were taken in the morning, 10am and before. I felt the wind and waves that you speak of. :yike:
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: SnakeEyes on July 02, 2009, 06:54:31 PM: Had a great day at Deep River today. Water was smooth, fishing was good, wind was barely blowing, and we caught a couple keepers. The smaller fish is 43'' and the other one is 53.5''.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg30.imageshack.us%2Fimg30%2F3200%2Fdscf0033large.jpg&hash=f9a2b89133905bede973910317bad9b3fadb78b2) (http://img30.imageshack.us/i/dscf0033large.jpg/)
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: cohoho on July 02, 2009, 07:10:49 PM: Very nice, how were the others doing?
Title: Re: Out of Deep River - Sturgeon
Post by: SnakeEyes on July 02, 2009, 07:24:01 PM: We seen quite a few caught around us a couple hours after tide change. The morning started off slow down by the bridge. We moved up river some in the flats.