Best Fish to Catch and Eat from Newport Fishing Charters

When in Newport, one of the first things in mind would be Newport’s booming fishing industry! Newport is an ideal spot for all types of fishers because of the variety of fish found in the local waters. Not only can you catch fish for sport, but you can also even catch them for consumption.

With Newport fishing charters, you have an excellent guide who can take you to the deeper waters to catch fish to cook and eat later on. But what are the best fish to catch and eat from Newport fishing charters? Check out this list on what to expect when fishing around the area.

 

Best Fish to Catch and Eat from Newport Fishing Charters

What can you expect in Newport fishing charters in terms of the fish to catch and eat? There are about 80 species of fish you can find in Upper Newport Bay alone, so that you can expect a lot of variety.

Here are popular Newport fish that our charters can guide you to:

 

Halibut

There are various species of halibut you can fish for, but one thing’s for sure: Halibut are pretty easy to catch! These make excellent gamefish for beginners to practice on, but they will still pose a bit of a challenge with their sharp teeth.

Halibut is slow-moving and doesn’t put up much of a fight, though you can risk getting a frayed line. The average trophy would be around 20-25 pounds, and they can be caught by drifting or slow trolling during the spring and early fall season.

 

Tuna

There are a lot of species of tuna you can catch.

For instance, there is the albacore tuna, which you can find further offshore. However, this is best for overnight fishing charter trips.

There is also the bluefin and yellowfin tuna. Your best chances of catching it are during a full-day fishing charter or half-day trips during the summer to fall season.

You can locate tuna on the troll, chumming it with live bait. But watch out, as they have fast and furious bites, and they will take on a fight that can wear you out. That said, you’ll have quite an experience and healthy tuna you can enjoy eating after the fishing trip.

Bonus tip: Kelp paddies attract tuna, and when you locate one, it can be the ultimate treasure for tuna, among other gamefish!

White Sea Bass

White sea bass are high fish! They can reach humongous sizes and weights of up to 70 pounds, though 30-40 pounds is the norm. You can find white sea bass on Catalina Island or along the coast all year long.

These fish can bite recklessly and abandon the line, and sometimes, they are pretty finicky. They are worth the effort, though, as white sea bass is absolutely delicious when cooked.

 

Halibut

Halibut is usually caught in large sizes and good numbers, making it a common fish on a Newport fishing charter. You’ll want to aim for halibut during the spring and summer months when grunion runs begin.

Catch them with a light line for more bites, though watch out for their teeth, which they can bite through it or fray. Halibut is best caught in hard bottom areas near Salt Creek or around kelp areas.

Barracuda

These aggressive gamefish put up a fight and will attach lures or baits, biting through the line even before a fisherman feels it. You’ll have a huge challenge here, and once you conquer the barracuda, you’re going to want to take a photo for everyone to see. Plus, they are edible and provide rich, healthy meat!

 

Sand Bass and Calico Bass

These are smaller gamefish, but don’t underestimate them! While small, they make up for their size with their supreme fighting abilities. They are a commonly caught gamefish in Newport!

During the spring and summer season, sand bass would spawn and create clouds of bass, which inhale most baits. As they spawn, you can find sand bass in schools over sandy bottoms, which you can catch on light lines during the summer.

Once fall and winter come along, you will need to use a 20-pound test, or even heavier, to catch the larger sand bass from reefs. Please take note that this is a slow-growing fish, so it’s best to return the larger varieties to help with breeding and spawning.

Rockfish

These are gamefish you can find in slightly deeper waters. While this isn’t considered a large game fish, some varieties can weigh up to 15 pounds, or even far more than that! You can catch rockfish all year round along the coastline and the islands.

Not only are they delicious to eat, but they also have such striking colors you will appreciate. These are great to catch come winter, and there are many varieties to catch when in Newport.

With all these fish in mind, you have to make sure that you have a fishing license and follow the Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations. Our Newport fishing charters will help make sure that you follow the proper fishing limits and regulations, and we can also assist you in availing a fishing license for the area if you don’t have one yet. Feel free to contact us for queries!

 

Wrapping It Up

Locals and travelers heading to Newport will enjoy easy access to the amazing Pacific Ocean, along with the wealth of fresh seafood to catch and eat! With Newport fishing charters, you can definitely catch a few good ones to show off during your next meal. Again, make sure that you are acquainted with the rules by the ODFW before you set out to fish!

Hopefully, we encouraged you to take a trip down to Newport and try out the many fishing activities here! If you’d like to book a day out in a fishing charter, don’t hesitate to contact us and learn what we can offer for you.