Elk Rock/Keller Park Bass Action

[jpjule]

Caught 5 smallies this evening and had another 3 on and then off after some arial acrobatics. Small spinners seemed to be what they were looking for. Tried a few top water lures and some worms but nothing was interested in them. I have been out there 3 times this week and have yet to get burned. There were a ton of fish hitting and rolling at the surface but they did not appear to be bass. I have no idea what they could have been. I had a fish there monday that hit hard and then stripped off a ton of my line before finally snapping it. I have no idea what it was, it didn't feel like a bass but who knows, it could have been a big one.
I recently moved here from Texas and this weeks fishing is the first I've done here in Oregon. Did a ton of fishing in Texas for bass and also saltwater bay fishing for speckled trout and redfish. Any tips or pointers would be greatly appreciated. I don't have a boat so it is bank fishing only for me here. None of my pals here are interested at all in fishing so I am always looking for someone to get a line wet with.
I have been lurking here for a while reading up on fishing in Oregon before going out, so a big thank you to all of you who have posted.



Fish On

 

[beaverfan]

Welcome to OFF! Congrats on the fish!

 

[jpjule]

Thanks beaverfan.

 

[Raincatcher]

Welcome

Welcome

Welcome to the very best in fishing forums. We love hearing about transplant fisher folk getting into our fish. Congratulations on finding a good hole right away. Two resources to check out--www.all-oregon.com and Boat Escape - Ultimate Oregon Boating, Camping & Fishing Resource | both have a lot of information and will help find more water to check out. Be sure to let us know how you do. Hope to see you at Detroit Lake for the OFF get together in a few weeks.

Be safe.
Barb

 

[jpjule]

Update - 8/6/09

Update - 8/6/09

Went back out yesterday afternoon and landed 7 smallies. All were caught on a 4" senko (watermelon). Nothing huge, the biggest was about 11" and the smallest was about 7". I caught them all on the backside of the rock. The water level got high around 6 pm and the fishing seemed to slow down as the water rose. I threw a ton of different lures (various spinners, crankbaits and a few top water) but only got strikes on the senko. On my previous visits the only thing working was spinners so I guess that they have either gotten wise or were just in the mood for worms. I spoke with a couple out there that said they had caught 2 bass on jigs fished on the bottom out in the deeper water on the far side of the rock. The fish are definitely there right now so if you just want to catch something I reccomend heading out. Think I will make my way out there later today to see if I can get some action on top water lures since it is nice and overcast today.
Good fishing to you all.

 

[jpjule]

Update - 8/8/09

Update - 8/8/09

Headed back out this morning to see what I could hook. Arrived around 6:15 and fished until about 10. The water was very high but receded fairly quickly as time passed. Caught 8 smallmouth, all on senkos. Once again, nothing huge but all in the 10 to 12 inch range. All were caught in the rocks on the south side of elk rock. It looked and felt like a good morning for topwater lures but I couldn't get anything to hit one. Saw one man catch a good sized bass on what appeared to be a zara spook. There were big schools of baitfish swimming at the surface but I didn't see anything going after them.

I have noticed that when the water is low, the east side of the rock seems to be the place where the fish are active but when it is high, the south and west side of the rock seem to be where they are. Has anyone else noticed this while fishing there?

Something else I noticed today was the number of boats that had just one person fishing from them?!?!? All you need to do is let me know when and where to meet you and I will be more than happy to keep you company, and act as a witness for your fish tales! Watching from the bank as someone fishes solo on a boat kinda bums me out.

Good fishing to you all.

 

[charlie]

couple of us were north of you last night, near sellwood bridge the westside has a little area pool
fish were jumping and buddy of mine landed 2 smallies. nothing big
I had (probably the same fish) one on senko 4inch smoke & rapala topwater

we saw some big fish jumping

fun stuff

since u have a boat, try out across from willamette park, the oaks park houseboat area.
another fellow has been there early and been hitting them with topwater

 

[jpjule]

I don't have a boat but sure wish I did.

 

[jpjule]

I have fished under the east side of the Sellwood bridge twice, catching one fish each time out. It was a few weeks ago when the weather was hot, so there were a ton of people swimming in the water which I don't think helped my chances. Is there a good place to park and good water access on the west side? I live about 5 minutes away so I think I will have to check it out. Thanks for the info.

 

[charlie]

I have fished under the east side of the Sellwood bridge twice, catching one fish each time out. It was a few weeks ago when the weather was hot, so there were a ton of people swimming in the water which I don't think helped my chances. Is there a good place to park and good water access on the west side? I live about 5 minutes away so I think I will have to check it out. Thanks for the info.

Just go into Staff Jennings Boat. Real quirky getting into, you'll probably pass the entry a couple of times
Store is north, south side has parking and is technically a park
Theres a trail that goes south, but water access is super easy. Theres a former boat ramp right there.
Once u get to the store, you'll see it all

we were about 500 feet south of the bridge,
Lots of rocks and timber

 

[jpjule]

Hey Charlie, I hit the west side of the sellwood bridge this evening, fishing just south of the bridge where you fished. I caught 2 very small sallmouth bass, one on a senko and the other on a glow in the dark rooster tail. I only fished from about 8 to 9 pm. I missed one fish on a topwater popper just as it got dark. I think I will go back soon, looks like a good place to get some smallies. Thanks for the info you posted and good luck snagging some lunkers.

 

[JASMINE]

How do i get to elk rock? Can you fish from the bank? or by boat only?

 

[chris61182]

How do i get to elk rock? Can you fish from the bank? or by boat only?

I'm also intrigued about where to at least park. Scouring google maps with the street view I can't seem to find a public parking lot/access to the park.

It looks like there's an entrance at the corner of 19th and Sparrow but it's marked no parking.

 

[jpjule]

You can park near the little play area but there are only two spaces. If they are full I park up the street at the overflow parking area for the restaurant on the hill and walk down.

 

[jpjule]

I fish from the bank Jasmine.

 

[buddah426]

:naughty: i wouldnt park at the restaurant... buddy of mine got towed once when we were there. now we park on the right side of the road by the little overpass bridge down from the restaurant. bring sturg gear too fish the north end of the rock facing kellog boat ramp. caught a few good size sturgeon there. gl and tight lines:dance:

 

[beaverfan]

So is Elk Rock in Peter Kerr Park on Google maps? It is right by Keller Park. Here's a link.

Google Maps

 

[catphish]

I usually just park on road side befor old rr trestle. Not sure if park still under construction, but you pass through park and down path Jasmine. If Tide is up you will have to wade through water out to island and follow path around to other side. Fish the slough.

 

[jpjule]

Skunked

Skunked

Have been out to elk rock twice in the last week and have been skunked both times. I don't know where the bass went but they sure aren't there. Have had great luck out there but that seems to have ended.

 

[Raincatcher]

Cocky lil things

Cocky lil things

There's a whole herd of cocky skunks strutting around the whole dang state!