Irishrover
Irishrover;n606926 said:I wish they would allow bottom fishing out beyond the 30 fathom line and past the 40 fathom line all summer. That should take pressure off those near shore fishing areas. I would love to run out to Nehalem Banks aka the shale pile and fish for suspended yellow tail. The problem with doing that now is Nehalem Banks is 20 some mile due west of Tillamook Head, so you have to run up from Garibaldi or down from Astoria. That is a long run to make in bad weather months. July, August or September would be a much safer time to make that run.
Opening the 40 fathom line earlier out of Newport Depoe Bay area would also have taken the pressure off those near shore black rock fish areas. During the summer those black rock fish get hammered by charters and sports boats alike. I'm guilty of doing that because I'm blocked from fish beyond 30 fathoms for rock fish. Last year the went all the way into the 20 fathom line. I know these are not ODF&W decisions, they come from NOAA Marine fisheries. ODF&W does a good job within the confines of the rules dropped on them by NOAA. Now might be a good time to pull the fly rod off the wall and hit some streams for trout. Gulfstream thank you for the information, it's appreciated.
Irishrover;n606931 said:When I say open bottom fish out past the 40 fathom line I should say it as all depth open for bottom fish. What has happened by using a 30 and 20 fathom line curve is a concentration of folks fishing in a much smaller area. Case in point being Newport where Stonewall Banks provided fantastic bottom fishing at an average of 15 to 17 miles out. With boats out fishing the banks it left more room and less pressure on the north and south reefs which are very close in. For folks whose nature trip is to go out beyond the horizon where there is nothing but the beautiful ocean, a trip to Nelson Island would be legal again. The idea is to expand the available fishing area and be more inclusive of fishing styles. it is not to shut folks with smaller water craft out. I doubt NOAA will entertain my idea.