Anyone hunting smallies?

Goldylocks · Jun 23, 2022

I was picnicking last year at Rooster Rock and heard one of the paddle boarders say they saw a large bass near them. The area on the east by the boat launch is all rocky shore so I thought it might be a good spot. I went back and caught a dink next to the boat launch area last year (at the start of the heat wave) but tried again a few weeks ago and got totally skunked... I'm also not the greatest bass fisherman.

My cousins coming down from Washington so was thinking to try again this week, any thoughts? other areas?

Proof of the aforementioned dink I was actually super thrilled, it just doesn't look like it because I was out there all day and it was about 100 degrees.

Diehard · Jun 23, 2022

benson lake is close by to rooster rock it had some decent smallmouth in it years ago over by the east end of the lake good luck nice job catching

DOKF · Jun 23, 2022

I haven't tried it personally, but rumour has it that Hagg Lake is the place to go for bass near Portland

DOKF · Jun 23, 2022

There is also the Willamette River ...

pcstock · Jun 23, 2022

....and the Columbia.

The best bass fishing in the state are the John Day River and the Umpqua River.

Oregunner · Jun 23, 2022

Umpqua is still up, fast, and cold for this time of year. SM frenzy hasn’t started yet. I got three this morning, when a typical day this time of year would be closer to 50 before lunch. We needed the water, so I can be patient.

Goldylocks · Jun 23, 2022

Oregunner said:
Umpqua is still up, fast, and cold for this time of year. SM frenzy hasn’t started yet. I got three this morning, when a typical day this time of year would be closer to 50 before lunch. We needed the water, so I can be patient.

I'm ready for the 50 !

Goldylocks · Jun 23, 2022

DOKF said:
There is also the Willamette River ...

Any park and walk areas you can recommend?

Goldylocks · Jun 23, 2022

Side note: My cousin only has a Washington fishing license, since Rooster Rock is the Columbia river I'm thinking Oregon respects the Washington license in this case? The section from eRegulation that I think applies is:

When angling within three miles of shore from Cape Falcon, OR to Leadbetter Point, WA, or in the waters of the Columbia River where it forms the Oregon-Washington boundary both Washington and Oregon resident fishing licenses are valid. Any anglers other than Washington residents must have a valid Oregon angling or shellfish license when landing fish or taking shellfish by boat in Oregon.

rogerdodger · Jun 23, 2022

Goldylocks said:
Side note: My cousin only has a Washington fishing license, since Rooster Rock is the Columbia river I'm thinking Oregon respects the Washington license in this case? The section from eRegulation that I think applies is:

When angling within three miles of shore from Cape Falcon, OR to Leadbetter Point, WA, or in the waters of the Columbia River where it forms the Oregon-Washington boundary both Washington and Oregon resident fishing licenses are valid. Any anglers other than Washington residents must have a valid Oregon angling or shellfish license when landing fish or taking shellfish by boat in Oregon.

you are correct when fishing from a boat. fishing the Columbia from shore in Oregon requires an Oregon license.

Snopro · Jun 23, 2022

pcstock said:
....and the Columbia.

The best bass fishing in the state are the John Day River and the Umpqua River.

Maybe for numbers. For quality you can't beat the Columbia.

Diehard · Jun 24, 2022

It was my understanding that lake owyhee was the best bass fishing in the state

Goldylocks · Jun 24, 2022

Hmm I guess everyone could provide their "best spot" and then I'll visit them all and see which one works out best. GPS coordinates for any secret holes can be sent directly to me in a private message if needed.

DOKF · Jun 24, 2022

Goldylocks said:
Hmm I guess everyone could provide their "best spot" and then I'll visit them all and see which one works out best. GPS coordinates for any secret holes can be sent directly to me in a private message if needed.

Or not ..

jamisonace · Jun 25, 2022

Goldylocks said:
I'm ready for the 50 !

It's fun for about 10 minutes.

jamisonace · Jun 25, 2022

Goldylocks said:
Hmm I guess everyone could provide their "best spot" and then I'll visit them all and see which one works out best. GPS coordinates for any secret holes can be sent directly to me in a private message if needed.

If you promise to take every bass you catch, I'll dial you in on the Umpqua.

Goldylocks · Jun 25, 2022

jamisonace said:
If you promise to take every bass you catch, I'll dial you in on the Umpqua.

I've never tried smokin a bass but I'll throw anything on the pellet grill at least once.

Goldylocks · Jun 25, 2022

So we did go to rooster today. As suspected got skunked, its was super windy and the river is way high. We'll keep after it though!

There was a paddle boat race there that we got to watch which was pretty cool. I could not believe these rowers were going up stream in that current and wind! The website said the course was 4 miles upstream then 6 downstream after a turn around. I'd be toast if I tried that.

DOKF · Jun 25, 2022

Goldylocks said:
I've never tried smokin a bass but I'll throw anything on the pellet grill at least once.

From clean waters, smoked smallmouth is quite tasty. Firm, flaky ...

Snopro · Jun 25, 2022

Goldylocks said:
So we did go to rooster today. As suspected got skunked, its was super windy and the river is way high. We'll keep after it though!

During an East wind, Rooster to Stevenson is usually the windiest stretch on the river. More wind in the morning and less later in the day.

It was glassy further East in the Gorge today.

Don't give up and better luck next time.

Anyone hunting smallies?

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