Newport, Oregon has some of the best bottom fishing on the Oregon Coast. The many reefs that are found close to shore are havens for a variety of fish. The reefs are found close to shore making them idea for half-day fishing trips. In addition, anglers can generally catch a good deal of fish all year long. Whether you live nearby and have a boat and fishing gear, are looking to rent a boat to fish or are booking a Newport, Oregon fishing charter, bottom fishing is a great option to make memories that will last a lifetime.

 

What Types of Fish are Caught Bottom Fishing?

 

You can expect to catch a variety of fish while bottom fishing near Newport. This is because you are fishing the reefs with a diverse fish population. Catching a variety fish generally happens while fishing with a more limited set of gear. In this section we will talk about the different varieties of bottom fish you can expect to catch on your next Newport, Oregon fishing charter.

 

Lingcod

Lingcod are probably the most sought-after bottom fish caught off of the Oregon Coast. They grow to large sizes, are fun to catch and have amazing-tasting meat. Lingcods are fierce predators by nature that love to feed on other fish. One of their favorite meals is smaller rockfish. This is why they are generally found in the same areas. Lingcod love hanging out on reefs, around structures and in rocky areas.

Like all the bottom fish that are caught off of the Oregon coast, lingcod are highly regulated. Although they can be caught year-round, you can only keep two of them per day. From May 1st to September 30th you are restricted to within the 40 fathom line. For more rules and regulations for Newport, Oregon lingcod fishing you can check out the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

Sea Bass (Black Rockfish)

Ok, so technically sea bass are a rock fish. We decided to separate them from the rest because of their popularity. Like the rest of the rockfish, sea bass like hanging out along reefs and rocky structure. They are wildly famous for their meat and the huge role it plays in making the best fish tacos.

Sea bass are included in the general marine species of fish and of which there is a daily bag limit of five total in aggregate in Oregon. From May 1st to September 30th you are restricted to within the 40 fathom line. For more rules and regulations for Newport, Oregon sea bass fishing you can check out the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

Cabezon

Cabezon are probably the ugliest fish on this list. Cabezon is literally translated to “large head” in Spanish. Cabezon can be found in the same areas as the other bottom fish. They are wildly popular for their delicious, white meat. Many of the local fisherman call them the “lobster of the Pacific”, insisting that their meat is bright white and is sweeter than most of the other bottom fish.

Of all the fishes on this list, cabezon are the most highly regulated. Only one fish over 16 inches can be kept and it counts towards the total general marine bag limit. In addition, cabezon can’t be kept between January 1st and June 30th. For more rules and regulations for Newport, Oregon lingcod fishing you can check out the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

Rock Fish

There is a huge variety of rock fish that can be caught off of the Oregon coast. A few of the most common ones include:

• Black Rockfish (sea bass)
• China Rockfish
• Quillback Rockfish
• Copper Rockfish
• Vermilion Rockfish
• Canary Rockfish
• Deacon Rockfish
• Blue Rockfish

Yellow eye rockfish are also commonly caught, but they can’t be kept. They can be very tricky to distinguish from other vermilion and canary rock fish, so you must be extremely careful. Rockfish like to hang out on the reefs and in rocky areas with structures.  

Rock fish are included in the general marine species of fish and of which there is a daily bag limit of five total in aggregate in Oregon. From May 1^stto September 30 you are restricted to within the 40 fathom line. For more rules and regulations for Newport, Oregon rock fish fishing you can check out the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

Flat Fish

Flat fish are known for the way their unique bodies have evolved. Unlike other fish that have one eye on each side of their head, flat fish have both eyes on the same side of their head. They also have an extremely pale underbelly. The other thing that makes flat fish unique is their meat. Their bodies are segmented in a way that they have four fillets compared with the regular two. There are a number of flat fish that can be caught on the Oregon coast. A few of the species include:

• Arrowtooth Flounder
• California Halibut
• Petrale Sole
• Pacific Sanddab

Please note that Pacific Halibut are regulated separately from the rest of these flat fish and are not commonly found in the same areas as the rest of the bottom fish.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is extremely generous with daily bag limits set at 25. There are also no depth restrictions. For more rules and regulations for Newport, Oregon flat fish fishing you can check out the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

Common Techniques Used to Catch Bottom Fish

 

Vertical jigging

Vertical jigging is a favorite way to catch bottom fish off the coast of Newport, Oregon. The major benefit is being able to specifically target fish below you. Most guides will fload you right over the reefs, rocks and structures and have you target very specific spots. By dropping the jigs right on the reef, it lets the bottom fish know you are there and entices them to strike. There are a wide variety of jigs that work well for vertical jigging including: Copper Pipe Jigs, Norwegian Cod Jigs, Point Wilson Dart Jigs, Berkley Gulp Grubs, Light-Colored Swimbaitsand Kailin Mugumbow Grubs. 

Bait Dead or Alive

Live bait works great for catching bottom fish of the coast of Newport, Oregon. You can use different bait to target different fish. Live bait is a favorite for catching lingcod because there are some fish the rockfish won’t eat. These include Sand Dabs and Greenlings. As far as dead bait, there is a wide variety of fish that will work, but the favorites include: herring and squid and just about any other fish that is legal to use.

Why Choose a Bottom Fishing Charter?

There are a lot of reasons to choose a bottom-fishing charter on your next visit to Newport, but I am just going to focus on a few of them in this blog. If you have any additional things you would like to include: please send an email to info@newportoregonfishingcharter.com.

Avoid Sea Sickness

Yes, I know there is no sure way to prevent sea sickness while you are fishing on the open ocean. The game changer for bottom fishing is the ability to sea the shore line. Having a central point to focus on the horizon helps reduce sea sickness.

Half-Day Fishing Charters

Since bottom charters are relatively close to the marina, fishing charters are more willing to entertain the idea of half-day fishing charters. They usually start around 6:00 am and go until 10:00 am. In addition, the captains are more willing to go with smaller groups as well. Even though it’s only half of the day, you still get to fish the best hours of the day, so the likely hood of catching fish is great!

Dungeness Crab Fishing

If you have the luck to be fishing during the crabbing season, most captains are willing to put out some crab pots at the start of the day and collect them when you are done fishing. Newport is one of the best areas for catching Dungeness crab. It’s pretty common to walk away with several coolers full of crab.

 

Book your Newport, Oregon Bottom Fishing Charter Today

I guess I would be a terrible business man if I didn’t put in at least one shameless plug for Newport, Oregon Fishing Charters. Please keep us in mind when booking your next charter. We find and connect you with the best fishing charters Newport has to offer. Our network of qualified, licensed sea Captains will put you on the fish at the best prices available.