THE  FISH

In the Bag!

Lingcod fishing has great success in the Newport area. These fish can be caught steadily throughout the year and are mostly found along the reefs relatively close to shore. Lingcod are great to target for inexperienced anglers because they are relatively easy to catch and don’t grow to monstrous sizes. In Oregon, anglers can keep up to 2 Lingcod larger than 22 inches.

Sea Bass fishing has great success in the Newport area. These fish can be caught steadily throughout the year and are mostly found along the reefs relatively close to shore. Sea Bass, also known as Black Rockfish, are great to target for inexperienced anglers because they are relatively easy to catch. Sea Bass are considered a “General Marine” species and has a daily limit of five as an aggregate of total ground fish.

Five-hour bottom fishing trips utilize relatively light tackle and produce a lot of bang for the buck. The depth ranges from thirty feet on shallow reefs out to deeper reefs of 240 feet deep. Ling Cod are an aggressive apex predator, a hard fighting fish that are highly prized to eat as well because they are always mild flavored, moist, and tender. Rockfish make up the majority of the catch on Bottom Fishing trips. Rockfish species likely to be seen are Black Rockfish, Blue Rockfish, Deacon Rockfish, Canary Rockfish, Yellow Tail Rockfish, Vermillion Rockfish, China Rockfish, Copper Rockfish, Quillback Rockfish, Yellow Eye Rockfish (may not be retained) and finally two fish that are not Rockfish but are counted as part of the Rockfish bag limit, the Kelp Greenling and Cabezon. Rockfish are an interesting category of fish, of 130+ species known worldwide 97 are found in Northeastern Pacific of those only about a dozen are accessible with hook and line. Though all Rockfish are a firm white meated fish each has subtly different flavors. Some of the Rockfish such as Blue Rockfish are relatively fast growing, maturing to reproduce in 5-6 years and living 15-18 years. Comparatively the Yellow Eye Rockfish is very slow growing. It doesn’t mature to reproduce until 20-25 years and has been documented to live to 150 years. Bottom Fishing is open year-round although it is quota driven.

The Long Leader Fishery is relatively new. It began as an EFP (experimental fishery program) over a decade ago to develop gear types that would allow targeting fish suspended off the bottom without impacting an endangered species, the Yellow Eye Rockfish. The Yellow Eye is a hard on bottom dweller and the long leader fishery was developed to avoid bottom contact and avoid impacts on the Yellow Eye. The gear has a lead weight at the bottom with a leader 30 feet long to the first hook. The EFP proved to be so successful that the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife presented a proposal to federal fisheries managers to allow adoption of the Long Leader Fishery. After several years and no small amount of lobbying the fishery was adopted. It is a year-round fishery for specific Rockfish only. No Ling Cod may be retained in the Long Leader

The Oregon coast offers incredible sport fishing for coho (silver) and chinook (king) salmon. Normally the fish are found within a couple miles of the shore, so it’s a great day trip to go after salmon.

Fish aboard our Salmon Boat, guided by our very experienced captain, equipped with electric downriggers, for the prized fish of the Pacific Northwest.

Chinook Salmon ….”The King” ….Experience the excitement as one of these powerful fighters hit your tackle ,
and make line stripping runs as you battle them up to the net , in  the clear blue deep water.

Coho (Silver) Salmon are so exciting to fish for.  A day of this will leave you happy and tired.

The 2022 season is over.  Hopefully the 2023 season will be as fantastic as this year was.

Tips for Halibut Fishing on The Oregon Coast

Halibut are large, strange-looking fish famous for their delicious, white meat. Halibut is found further from that shore than salmon or bottom fish. It’s best to prepare by dressing warm and acting against sea sickness. Each day an angler can take home one halibut which will provide four large fillets depending on the size of the fish. A total of six halibut can be harvested in a single season by each person. Most halibut caught on Captain Lyle’s boat average 20-75 lbs.

Halibut fishing is regulated by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). The Pacific Halibut is a highly migratory species that ranges on the continental shelf from Northern California to Alaska but is concentrated in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. From November to March mature Halibut concentrate annually on spawning grounds along the edge of the continental shelf at depths from 600 to 1500 feet. Halibut are strong swimmers and able to migrate long distances. The migratory pattern of all ages and sized fish is predominantly clockwise from northwest to southeast. The Oregon Halibut fishery and a summer all depth fisheries. The spring fishery is opens May 1, 2023 and runs seven days a week during the months of May and June with 2 weeks set aside for back-up dates in July if the quota has not been reached. The Summer all-depth fishery Opens August 3–5, with openers every other Thursday thru Saturday until the quota is reached or the end of October.  Rockfish and Ling cod are allowed when Halibut fishing this year, a huge change!

Fun Facts

Did you know that Newport, Oregon first began as a fishing village in 1855? It then developed as a seaside resort in 1866. From there, it grew and became the fun and thriving city we know and love today. What still holds true is how the fishing opportunities are vast, with the recreational and commercial fishing industry booming. That’s why you can find numerous Newport Oregon deep sea fishing charters around, ready for anglers to book!

If it’s your first-time booking Prospector’s Fishing Adventures charter, you’re probably wondering what to expect. Learn more about what these charters entail  and some information about your personal Captain; so prepare for the fun ahead!