THE FISHING REPORT

Like one of the great holidays of the year, the ocean Salmon
Season officially opened on the west coast last Saturday and was
greeted with great anticipation. Unfortunately the weather didn’t
get the message and many ports were closed due to weather. Fort
Bragg Party Boats cancelled late on Friday afternoon and Chicken
Point was full of anglers chomping at the bit but forced to accept
the reality that no salmon is worth taking a chance with your
life.
Party boats and just a few “intrepid” or stupid private boat
anglers made it out from the port of Bodega. The swell was over 14
feet and the small fleet headed out to the 50 fathom line. Rick
Powers, 30 year skipper of the 60 foot New Sea Angler found the
first salmon in over two years of season closures. They ended up
the day with a total of 10 fish for 28 anglers to 17 pounds. Roy
Rose 14 lbs, Steve Morris 13 lbs, Bobby Coleman 12 lbs, all got in
on the action. The Miss Anita, the 6 pack boat skippered by Vince
Orsini out of Bodega Bay, also got in on the action with 2 fish for
6 anglers. The few private boats that ventured out of Bodega
managed much less than a fish per rod.
San Francisco boats that even bothered to approach the gate
witnessed a rare sight of the entire “Bar” breaking from San
Francisco to Marin headlands. Believe it or not, a few boats did
get out and fished out south of the Farallon islands for just a few
scattered fish to 15 pounds. The same results were reported by
boats out of Half Moon Bay.
The best bite along the coast came from the Santa Cruz boats
that fished out at the Soquel Hole and reported a mixed bag, of
limits for some and about a fish per rod for most. The fish were
reportedly deep at 100 to 150 feet down. Hootchies accounted for a
large part of the arsenal used as did the famed, Franko Bait
Rotator or FBR. Monterey boats didn’t fare as well but reports were
that there were a few fish caught.
We may only have this one month to fish for salmon in the ocean.
A decision will be made by the middle of this month. Three
proposals have been put on the board for consideration. 1) A full
season. 2) A shortened season of April and then two months off
returning to action in July through October.3) the third option
would shut the season down after the month of April season is
complete.
The Salmon season will continue however for the remainder of the
month and certainly one of the easiest ways with the highest
probability of catching fish or two would be to go out on a party
boat. These guys do this every day that the weather permits so they
are dialed into where to look and what to fish with. The New Sea
Angler would certainly be a boat to consider out of Bodega Bay. At
62 feet you are much more likely to go on a marginal day provided
your stomach is up for it. The boat does carry a lot of passengers
but the price reflects that. Another good option would be the 6
pack boats, The Pay back, The Miss Anita and the Reel-entless, all
out of Bodega Bay and offer a more intimate experience. These boats
are often faster and more comfortable than the bigger boat and for
the month of April can combine a crab option with the salmon
fishing.
For more fishing reports or information please contact Hunt
Conrad at Prospect Mortgage in Healdsburg, 431-9715.