Captain's Log:
We have had so many requests for lodging that we have decided to continue letting our fishing customers and their friends and family use our 5 Star facilities. Please look at our "lodging" index and call as soon as you can to reserve your dates. Remember, our lodging facilities are separate from the charter service (different phone numbers and office) but we promise to work "hand and hand" with each other to give you the very best service and comfort that anyone can provide.
We have also been approached by a "pizza " company to lease our deli (downstairs). If this happens we will be able to provide you with all the deli, grocery, beer, and wine items that you enjoyed last year. If this materializes I will update you on the "Captains Log". Keep your fingers crossed.
Nothing better than a piece of Pizza, a cold beer and a fish being filleted next door at Sportsman Cannery!!
Capt. Larry
David Wolf, raised on the Columbia River, is taking the Helm of the F/V Big Dipper and continuing the "friendly service" of Charter Fishing with Sea Sport Fishing Charters. He, along with Capt. Ron Malast, will continue landing Halibut, Sturgeon, Salmon, Tuna and Bottom Fish for their customers. They will be attending the Sport Show in Puyallup, Wa. as well as Portland, Oregon in January and February 2008. They invite you to join them and sign up for your fishing date with their special show discounts.
Please keep this web site on your "favorites" for updates that will continue in the weeks to come.
Welcome aboard David and his 1st mate (Esse)
Well, by now, all of you have heard the news about closing down the ocean (but maybe they will open it after labor day weekend)! Hummm? You probably have also heard that "live bait" is not here and that the tuna have declined in numbers from the charter boats. The Buoy 10 fishery is alive and well; but there is no catches. The average here through today is 1 fish per 20 customers! Wow; when they say "it's shutting down" they mean it. We have contacted all of you who wished to go tuna fishing and because the majority of you knew (already) what was going on, it wasn't a difficult decision to cancel the one trip we have had remaining on the 31st! So, we did!!
Synopsis: Thank all of you for fishing with us this year. We had our ups and downs, we have had our good days and our "not so good days". The one thing we did have is the opportunity to meet all of you who came and joined us at our lodge and our boats. Thank you for giving us the opportunity, we know you have several choices and although some of you took a chance (on us) I hope now you have our website and our telephone numbers placed where you can just reach down and make your reservations.
We will be taking reservations after 1 January 2008 and it will be for those who have fished with us in the past. Please circle the dates you think you wish to fish and let us know after the first of the year.
Many of you have asked to stay in our Lodge during the "Off season" so, if you wish, we will be glad to arrange that for you. Availability will be from 2 nights to 2 week and we will post those dates on this website. Please call ahead of time: we have already had inquiries and will arrange your stay with your wishes.
As of this date we will be closing because of the cancellation of trips this week; because fish and game cannot make up their minds and because of prior commitments after labor day weekend.
SOOOOOOO........ Until next year, this will be my last report for the 2007 fishing season. Thank you again and be safe out there.
Capt. Larry
1st mate: Therese
and our staff
Salmon season has been cancelled as of Midnight 25 August 2007. Reported at 2:30pm on 22 August 2007. All Salmon Trips after 25 August 2007 are Cancelled. We have tried to notify all customers and hope that the State of Washington, Dept. of Fish and Game, knows how this impacts all concerned.
Capt. Larry
Nearing the end of the season and the Salmon are fattening up. The majority of the Limits caught this week have been in the 14 pound range. Obviously some were smaller and allot were bigger. Chinook have shown however in few numbers. The few caught have been eating well as they have dressed in the high 20's. Please do not get your hopes up because there are few and far between. Keep an eye open for the Fish and Game to close our season down early this year! The rumor has it that they will make decisions on Thursday. As soon as I hear I will flash it on my web site.
Everyone is asking about Tuna. Yes, there are allot of Tuna and they are catching them when the ocean allows us to get out there. Yesterday a good friend went out and trolled for Salmon and for fun trolled some Tuna feathers at the 16 mile mark. They brought home 22 tuna. Will it last? I do not know but forecasts say YES. Is there live bait in Ilwaco? NO!
We are going to close down our season early this year because of prior commitments and although this is not my last article of the year... I want to thank all of you for supporting us and our new lodge, deli and boats. There will be several changes made in the upcoming months and I will let all know every step of the way.
We will be shut down this year on 3 September but we want you to know that OUR LODGE IS AVAILABLE TO YOU DURING THE OFF SEASON. IF YOU HAVE FISHED WITH US AND ARE OUR CUSTOMERS OR YOU HAVE FRIENDS THAT HAVE AND THEY RECOMMEND YOU.... YOU ARE WELCOME. CALL ANYTIME AND WE WILL SET YOU UP FOR A MINIMUM STAY OF 2 DAYS AND A MAXIMUM OF 2 WEEKS. THE WINTERS ARE VERY QUIET HERE IN ILWACO, WA AND IF YOU JUST WANT TO SIT OUTSIDE ON THE VERANDA AND READ A BOOK WHILE LISTENING TO THE SEAGULLS; IT IS VERY PLEASANT.
Be safe out there and be kind to your fellow fisherman.
Capt. Larry
Wow...Talk about asking for business... You will not believe the number of large Silver (Coho) being caught. This place has "lit up" with fish and obviously fisherman. To my readers I am sorry I missed the last weekend. I really did not realize how many of you read my "log". Thank you for doing so.
We have been limiting out most everyday before noon on the Big Dipper and before 10:00am on the Rock-n-Roll. The Net Prophet has had engine problems and we are trying our best to get her back into commission. Until then the Rock-n-Roll is running everyday to compensate and "yours truly" is behind the wheel. Actually I am happy I am doing so. I really do not enjoy that administrative work and enjoying what I love best, being a master of a vessel and watching others catch fish.
Fishing is fantastic and if you call for a date to fish and we are booked up, I am truly sorry. We still have several dates that are opened on the Big Dipper. The Rock-n-Roll is Full. We only have 3 days that are opened for our lodge so if you can put the two together we will be very happy to share a day "on the water" with you. Our Charters will be closed after Labor Day Week-End so book now for the few dates open.
I do have a few openings for Tuna (if you do not mind us not using "live bait". The Port of Ilwaco has not assisted us in getting live bait but the Tuna do not seem to care. Most boats load up anyway.
Okay.. until next week (I hope). Be safe out there and be kind to your fellow fishermen.
Capt. Larry
Well, I was questioning where everyone was and now I know.......... They were on their way to Ilwaco. All the charter Boats enjoyed customers with smiles on their faces. Not only Salmon fisherman but the Tuna as well seemed to wake up and show true colors on "the top of the water".
Yes, it was a great week and if there is anyone out there that did not catch fish; please, put bait on your hooks; you'll catch 'em.
Tuna came in to the 24 mile mark on Thursday then left and went out to the 32 mile mark. We still do not have live bait but jigs are still catching the Tuna. I am sure that will come to an end in the days to come. Live bait has been promised to come and they (Port) are still promising but we haven't seen any yet. For those of you booked on "live bait" trips.... I will call you and let you know whether or not we have live bait. It is a day by day wait for us. Keep reading I will put a "flash" on this web site one way or the other!
Not many Chinook to be seen as yet but lots of nice size silvers are being caught in the 8 to 12 range with a few 12 - 15's showing.
Okay, That's it for this week. Be safe out there and catch a fish.
Capt. Larry
Where are the customers? Is it fuel costs? Do they know the Salmon are in the ocean?
Those are the questions we are asking ourselves. The few boats that left the harbor this week enjoyed bigger fish and saw a few more "Kings" being caught. It isn't red hot but we cannot tell because we are lacking the customers. For those few that have come out with us; they had a good time bringing home their limits. The last few days of the week a weather system came in and Sunday (today) all the boats stayed tied up to their mooring basin. Tomorrow the weather is suppose to changed and will be clear the rest of the week.
HINT>>>>HINT>>>>>>>Hint.........
Tuna came in closer this week and one Charter boat went with only 4 customers but brought home 30 nice Albacore Tuna. We have several trips going in August so if you want to have some fun, call and book a trip on the "Big Dipper". This 52 foot boat has plenty of room for a one day trip and we only put 10 fisherman on the boat. First come, first served. Next week I will put dates of availability that remain.
Okay that's it for this week; if you go out to the ocean please be safe and be aware of all the dangers surrounding you. Be kind to your fellow fishermen and have fun.
Capt Larry
What to tell my readers??? Hummmmm!
Fishing is crazy this year, when you think you have figured it out, it changes and vice-versa! This week has been good, bad and ugly. The bad was the few days the fishing was good. The ugly was the water; it was choppy and not the greatest to fish on; but the fish started to bite; the "bar" was rough a couple of days and if you got out to fish, the fish were scattered..... probably allot like this article. I just do not know what to say except that this up coming week shows signs of weather changes and the barometer is dropping. These (in my opinion) are signs of change so hopefully we will see a weather change as well as the "Catching" should get better. The average fish per rod last week was 1 fish per person, a few small Chinooks but mostly 4 - 8 pound silvers. Some Charter boats did limit but they were the exception... not the rule.
My next article should have some better news..........till next week. Be safe, respect your fellow fishermen and have fun out there. Oh, by the way, we are booking Tuna trips on the Big Dipper and invite you to call for reservations.
Capt. Larry
The salmon are here. Most boats have limited each day. Some days faster than others but all and all everyone is going home with Coho. Some Chinook have been caught but it will take a few weeks for the "Black mouths" to start the bite.
There is no secret to where the fish are: They are all over; most being taken at the 220 foot depth near the CR buoy. Other days find them near the 180 foot mark. Get fresh anchovies, cut herring, throw it behind your favorite colored diver and you'll be in business.
For those of you who venture out on your own please be careful; the "Bar" here is dangerous and can ruin anyone's day. Be safe and have fun..... until next time..
Capt Larry
Well, the sturgeon did come alive and shook the poles of our fisherman this week. It wasn't until mid-week when the tides turned bigger but those that stuck it out got their returns for their "buck". For those "off days"; well that's why they call it fishing! not Catching. We only have until the 4th at midnight to finish off our punch cards for sturgeon.
Today, 1 July, was the "kick-off" for Salmon and wow! what a kick-off! We found the salmon off the CR buoy in about 220 feet. The Net Prophet was the proud boat with the first salmon of the year on the docks of Ilwaco. Congratulations Capt. Paul, good job.. limits for all of your customers and home by 9:00am. This doesn't happen often but on OPENING DAY> WOW.
Bad news: Capt. Josh on the Rock-n-Roll has quit and will not be back. We have always hired quality Captains and we will do so again but because of his abruptness, and in the middle of the season we had to put all of the Rock-n-Roll's customers (already booked) on the Net Prophet. We wanted to make sure that all who have booked with our company did not lose the opportunity to fish when they wanted. If you are reading this and feel you would rather not fish on the Net Prophet please call as soon as you can so we can help you with any decisions you may need to change.
The F/V Big Dipper is back from her voyage to the Westport, Washington area as a commercial boat and is back in our fleet. The C/V Shamrock will be going to the Coos Bay area where she will be used for touring, whale watching and the good time with her new Charter Office. For those of you who have fished on the F/V Big Dipper you know she has allot of room at 52 feet. You have always felt safe on this vessel and if you fish for bottom fish, Salmon, Sturgeon, Halibut or Tuna you will enjoy Capt. Ron and his tall tales, fish stories, jokes and even some truths.......... just kidding, Ron has been the Captain of the F/V Big Dipper for several years and always brings a smile to his customers.
Okay! That's enough for this week. Be safe out there, treat your fellow fisherman with respect and go catch a Fish!
Capt Larry
What a crazy week. In the beginning of the week we caught Sturgeon and we were back at the dock in record time (not that we hurry, but the fish did). Then the tides changed to the worst we have had this season and everyone was scratching for fish. Most charter boats came back with less than 20% of the ratio of fishermen to fish. That is less than 1/4 fish per rod. Not good!! And so it continued through this past weekend.
The tides get bigger (earlier next week) and I can almost guarantee that the "bite" will get better. Wow, and just to think that Salmon fishing starts on Sunday, 1 July.
I'd be willing to bet that by the 15th we will be seeing some large silvers as well as some nice Chinook. Well, we'll have to wait and see. I'll keep you posted.
Be safe out there on the water and be kind to your fellow fishermen.
Capt. Larry
Sturgeon and big sturgeon have shown up. I might add that it is a "crap shoot" as to which day you should go fishing. Those of you who know me ; know that I do tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth..... but the truth of the matter is that on one day we catch allot of fish (20-30) and we are keeping 2 or 3 on the small boats and 6 or 7 on the Shamrock. These creatures run in schools and it is apparent that they run in "size schools". If you catch a keeper you'll probably catch another and so on..... if you catch a large oversize sturgeon there is probably another one close by. That's the way it has been this past week.
The fish that have been caught have been nice thick fish and the fisherman get allot of meat from them. Make sure you keep them cold on your travel home. Sturgeon season ends on 3 July and Salmon season begins on 1 July; if you want to put another slab of sturgeon in the freezer call and make reservations as the season is coming to an end.
Okay, not much else to report only to ask you to please..... be safe out there and be kind to your fellow fisherman. Be courteous and most of all Have fun.
Capt Larry
Finally, finally the Sturgeon came alive and when they started they kept on coming and our folks had a great time. There seems to be an over abundance of large (super large) Sturgeon this year. Most all trips come back with stories of that HUGE one that was on the end of their line; they only watched it airplane from out of the water jumping several times and guessing "How long is it???"
Lot's of fish, most all catch between 5 and 6 sturgeon before they hook the one that goes home with them. Lot's of fun. It is that time of the year.
Please be safe on the water and treat your fellow fishermen with the respect we all deserve.
Have fun out there.
Capt. Larry
Sturgeon are in the river.
What a roller coaster ride this week; and I do not mean the ocean or river... I mean the "Fishing, Catching". It was crazy. It started out where we saw good number of fresh run Sturgeon and one day they seem to love our baits , the next they hated them. That's the way it went all week. One day we would catch 10 to 20 Sturgeon and keep 1 each; the next day only a few "take downs". Hummmmm, These fish are fresh from the ocean and we have caught a number of OVERSIZE. It is a terrible feeling for our clients to catch a 62 inch Sturgeon, then having to put him back into the water to even grow larger. But it's fun to fight these pre-historic creatures.
As you know the Halibut season has closed (as of last Saturday); Salmon will open on 1 July (7 days a week); Rock Cod fishing is always open and the mighty Sturgeon can be caught up until 3 July, then that season ends. The upcoming weeks show promise for more action with the morning (-) minus tides.
Okay, I promise the upcoming days will get better as the ocean pushes the fish in with the higher tides.
Be safe out there and catch a fish ! See ya on the water!
Capt. Larry
Sturgeon, Halibut and black rock fish was the order of the week. We limited each day on Halibut; caught huge limits of Black rock fish and caught a few sturgeon.
The department of fish and game closed our season down for Halibut on 26 May at midnight so our final day we went out and limited the boat before that magic stroke of midnight.
We have a full week ahead of us and we have seats available for bottom fishing as well as Sturgeon. Please call ahead; as the days get closer to summer and vacations we will fill up pretty fast so please make reservations.
For those of you who wanted to go Halibut fishing they are opening the season for one day on 3 Aug. If I fill the boats early I will save those dates; if you wish to try it one more time please call soon.
For those of you who have stayed at our lodge I want to thank you for all the letters and salutations. Yes, I must agree... it is a beautiful lodge and very comfortable. Watching all the activity from above the Port of Ilwaco, the Saturday Market and the Tall Ships that came in to the Port this week was marvelous. Thank you for staying with us and enjoy the fish you caught this week.
Remember, stay friendly with you fellow fisherman and please be safe out there. Whether you are on the ocean or fishing in the river; use common sense.
Capt Larry
Halibut, Sturgeon and Bottom fish; They all gave us a bit of frustration but they did end up in the boat. Weather was a big concern these last few weeks and 1 day we had to cancel due to a boat problem (very minor, but stopped us from going out to the ocean, we do apologize to the customers and want to thank them for their patience).
We did get out for Halibut on 3 occasions and on each got our limits; the last trip we nailed a 50 pounder. The majority of the fish were 15 to 20 pounds.
The bottom fish are plentiful this year and we have proven that by the numbers of fish getting to the cleaning station next store at the Sportsman Cannery.
The last three days we took the Rock-n-Roll out and only had 3 or 4 clients each day. The fish are there and we made sure that our clients all went home with a Sturgeon. Josh (our captain) is one of the best and already proving it early in the year.
Stay on board with us, it will be a good year... you just need to get on the boat and let the bait do the work. Have a great week, be safe and stay friendly with your fellow fishermen.. until next time.
Capt Larry
The "opener" for Halibut got underway on 1 May 2007 and it was very successful for the few boats that left the Harbor. Most got all their fish and they averaged 20 pounds each. There were a few that weighed 35 and others came home with a couple of 15 to 18 pounders. As the last 4 days have proven: the Halibut are out there but patience is the virtue "of the day".
Our boats were not among those who fished but we are going out this week and hope the bigger ones come out of "hiding" and jump on board for the 25 mile ride home. For those of you who haven't followed my web site we have replaced the "Big Dipper" with the "Shamrock" and we really feel you will enjoy this boat as much as you did the "Big Dipper" (if not, more). Capt. Ron will still be at the helm and hopefully he'll use his (good) eye to find the fish.
Sturgeon opener is next Saturday, 12 May 2007 and we still have a few slots on the boats. Don't forget we have the C/V Net Prophet and C/V Rock-n-Roll for your private charters with laughter from Paul and Josh on your adventures.
Our company prides itself with making sure your day is full of fun, excitement and relaxation; if there are any special needs please do not hesitate to tell us. We really do want you to "Come as a customer, and leave as a friend"... that is our motto. So until next week at this same time. please be safe out there on the water and catch fish...it's fun!
Capt. Larry
Hi everyone; Well the time draws near when we get the dust off of our rods and reels and start thinking of the "One we lost; I'll get him next year"
The time is now to book your dates.
The Halibut season is set in stone. It will start on 1 May 2007 and should last 3 weeks (I hope). I am not scheduling for Halibut after 27 May because I do not think that we have enough of a quota to go past that date.
Sturgeon begins on 12 May and will last through 3 July 2007. We have had an overwhelming response to this fishery and only have a handful of days available. If you are interested in catching a Sturgeon, please do not wait till the last moment to book a trip.
Salmon opens 1 July 2007 and we are going to be able to fish 7 days a week during the month of July. This is a big change and I hope the fish and game hasn't errored on this. We can land over 55,000 coho but we can only take 4,400 Chinook. If we catch our quota's they will close us down in August so do not hesitate, look at your vacation schedules and get that Salmon trip booked as soon as you can.
Bottom fish are always there for the taking but the best months are May and June so if you are interested in a Bottom Fishing trip call to get on the boats.
The Big Dipper leaves this week for Westport, Wa.. She will be commercial fishing in that area; for those of you who are scheduled on the Big Dipper do not worry we have transferred you to the C/V Shamrock. She will be taking the place of the Big Dipper and you will really enjoy this vessel. She is equipped with two (2) brand new John Deer 220 hp Turbo Diesels; a brand new cabin designed for all passengers to stay nice and warm on those cold days and she's a Beauty.. the trim is being painted as I write this information today.
Naturally the Rock-n-Roll is ready to catch the fish she left (to grow) last year and the Net Prophet is being spruced up ready for action.
Our lodge is now completely decorated and we have hired a staff that is ready to make your stay a memory that you will not soon forget
.
We welcome Kim Pappas as our Manager of the Deli and Lodge. She brings with her several years of experience working in such places as "Harrah's" in South Lake Tahoe, Nv.
Therese and I invite any and all questions and we welcome you to the newest fishing lodge in the North West.
Capt. Larry
We have just acquired another very nice Charter Boat. As I write this, it is being refitted with some new electronics, having a major clean up and new paint. It is a "customer friendly" vessel. It has a brand new, very large cabin with comfortable seating for all. I am only going to allow 14 passengers on this boat at any one time so that they can enjoy having a lot of room as they fight the mighty unknown from below. The Shamrock is a Coast Guard Documented vessel 46 foot long with a beam of 14 feet; it has two brand new 220 hp John Deer Turbo Diesel engines which will get you to the fishing grounds ahead of most. I am very happy to announce that she should be ready to transfer our customers from the Big Dipper for our first charter in May. The Big Dipper will be heading to West Port on a commercial adventure and will be crabbing at the end of the year. For those customers already booked on the Big Dipper please do not get worried; everyone has been transferred to the Shamrock and you will go fishing as planned (just on another boat with the same Captain). Nothing else will change. You will be very satisfied. Feel free to call with any questions. We are less than a month away.
Capt. Larry