‘Slab’ coho have arrived!This past week has produced some very exciting ocean fishing.

On Sunday, many coho in the 10- to 15-pound range graced the scales of the Ilwaco Derby Booth. A coho weighing 15.8 pounds was the largest on Sunday. These big coho are explosive when hooked, proving to provide a real challenge, especially when taken on light tackle. Many boats, when encountering schools of these fish, were simply drifting and mooching (with divers) and scoring heavily.

Big Chinook are also making daily appearances at the scales. Chinook in the 30-pound range are too numerous to mention, many 40’s are also being landed. The current derby leader is a 44-pound fish netted by Capt. Mike Coe aboard the F/V Sea Sport.

With optimum ocean weather, a flat bar and light wind, many traditional Buoy 10 fisherman opted to fish in the “big pond.” Those that did so found themselves being carried toward Alaska by a very strong northerly current pushed along by a light southerly swell and moderate southerly wind. Many private, as well as charter boats, found themselves in 300 to 400 feet of water to find the salmon. This positioning equates to a long ride home after a day of fishing.

For those wishing to remain in the river, a fair amount of coho were providing action for fishermen who knew how to fish the rips and those experienced in this river sport. Remember that if you are leery about going into the ocean … don’t go, it can change very quickly.

WDFW Fish ReportThrough Aug. 10 an estimated 45.5 percent of the coho quota had been taken in Marine Area 1 (ocean). Coastwise through Aug. 10, 32 percent of the Chinook quota and 39 percent of the coho quota had been taken.

At the ports of Chinook and Ilwaco plus Fort Canby, WDFW sampled 706 boat anglers with 39 Chinook and 80 coho from Aug. 4 through Aug. 10.

Halibut remains open in the Ilwaco region of the ocean, and although pressure remains light, charter boats are still scoring good catches.

Albacore fishing remains at its best. An exciting sport, requiring a sea-worthy offshore boat or charter service, this remains my favorite type of fishing. Don’t be mislead or disappointed with the fact that there is no limit on these fish. Finding them is a lot harder than catching them. Beware, once you get out on this vast ocean, the search can suck you out to a distance that may inhibit your safe return should coastal fog or high winds prevail. The weather and ocean can prove to be very different 25-30 miles offshore.

On a one-day charter boat, if you return with two fish per person, you have had a fair day, three fish per rod a good day, four fish per rod a very good day and five fish per rod an excellent day. There are exceptions, but this is the norm.

“Deep secrets of the charter boat fleet”

corrections:

After a severe flogging by my readers and a threatening phone call from the Ervest family (Hatfield & McCoy vintage) the following corrections should be noted.

Eric Ervest, (Star Dust) mistakenly referred to as Eric Hanson, is not the “wayward” son of Jon Hanson of the Sea Venture.

“Iron” Mike Coe is the correct spelling, not Cole.

Paul Knowles is the correct last name spelling of the “Skipper in greatest need of cosmetic surgery.”

So much for that … never again.

Nautical OriginsBy and large – Currently means in all cases or in many cases. From the nautical: by, meaning into the wind, and large, meaning with the wind: as in, “By and Large the ship handled very well.”

Capt. Ron Malast is owner/operator of the charter boat Big Dipper operating out of Pacific Salmon Charters in Ilwaco. Questions may be referred to 665-3573.