Alright, let’s talk about fishin’ in that Yaquina Bay, ya know, the one down by Newport. I ain’t no fancy fisherman with all them big words, but I’ve been throwin’ a line in the water for a good long while, so I know a thing or two.
First off, you gotta know what kinda fish you’re after. Them fellas say there’s all sorts in there, year-round. Salmon, that’s the big one everyone wants. They got them Chinook, Coho, and even some Pink Salmon if you’re lucky. Heard tell of some Sockeye too, but I ain’t ever caught one myself. Then there’s steelhead, and them cutthroat trout. And don’t forget the bottom fish, like flounder and lingcod. Plenty to keep ya busy, that’s for sure.
Now, where to fish? That’s the real question. The bay’s big, ya know. Some folks like to fish from the banks. There’s spots up the river, where them salmon like to hang out. They say the Rogue River, Umpqua River, Nestucca River, and a whole bunch of others up north are good for salmon too, but we’re talkin’ ’bout Yaquina Bay here. You can find spots along the shore, just gotta look around. But if you got a boat, well, that opens things up. You can get out into the deeper water, where the bigger fish are. Just be careful, the ocean’s right there, and it can get choppy.
- Fishin’ from the bank: Easy, cheap, but you’re stuck in one spot.
- Fishin’ from a boat: More expensive, but you can go where the fish are. You can go up the river a ways, or out closer to the ocean. Just keep an eye on the weather, it can change fast.
When’s the best time to go fishin’? Well, that depends on what you’re after. Them salmon, they say June to September is good. But I’ve caught ’em other times too. It’s all about luck, mostly. And the tides, gotta pay attention to them tides. When the water’s movin’, the fish are bitin’. When it’s slack tide, well, you might as well take a nap. They say some fish bite better in winter, like the hatchery steelhead they talk about catching in January and February, but I ain’t a fan of freezin’ my behind off on the water. Summer fishin’ is good enough for me.
Now, I ain’t gonna tell you exactly where to go. That’s half the fun of fishin’, findin’ your own spots. But I’ll give you a hint. Check the weather, especially the wind and waves. If it’s too rough out in the ocean, the bay might be calmer. And keep an eye on the water temperature too. Fish like certain temperatures, ya know. There’s websites and stuff that tell you all that, but I just stick my hand in the water and see if it feels right.
And don’t forget your gear. You need a good rod and reel, some strong line, and the right bait or lures. What you use depends on what you’re fishin’ for. For salmon, folks use spinners, spoons, and even herring. For bottom fish, you might use worms or squid. Ask around at the bait shop, they’ll tell you what’s workin’. And make sure you got your license, don’t wanna get in trouble with the game warden.
So, that’s about it. Fishin’ in Yaquina Bay, it’s a good time. You might catch a big one, you might not. But it’s peaceful out there, just you and the water. And that’s worth somethin’, ain’t it?
One last thing. Don’t be a litterbug. Pack out what you pack in. Keep the place clean for the next fella, and for the fish too. They gotta live there, ya know.
Tags: [Yaquina Bay, Newport, Fishing, Salmon, Steelhead, Trout, Flounder, Lingcod, Oregon Coast, Fishing Report, Fishing Season, Best Fishing Spots]
