"Oregon Coast Fishing Report: Promising Catches, Ideal Conditions for a Successful Day on the Water"

As of October 17, 2024, the fishing scene off the Oregon coast is looking promising, despite some recent weather challenges. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

### Weather and Tides
Today, you can expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 62 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 50 degrees. The winds are moderate, blowing at about 10 mph from the northwest. Tides are crucial for fishing; today we have a high tide at 9:15 AM and a low tide at 3:15 PM, which should provide some good windows for fishing. Sunrise is at 7:24 AM, and sunset will be at 6:24 PM, giving you a full day to get out on the water.

### Fish Activity
Yesterday saw a mix of fish activity, particularly for those targeting bottomfish and salmon. In the Buoy 10 area and the lower Columbia River, anglers reported a good number of coho catches, with many fish being caught on high tides. Lingcod and rockfish were also plentiful, with many charters returning with limits.

### Types and Amounts of Fish Caught
The primary catches included rockfish, with a good mix of black, deacon, China, and yellowtail rockfish. Lingcod catches were also notable, especially in areas like Depoe Bay and Newport. For salmon, coho made up the bulk of the catch, with an average of about 1.33 salmon per angler in areas like Garibaldi and Newport.

### Best Lures and Bait
For salmon, using hoochies or spinners with a herring or anchovy bait has been effective. In the estuaries, trolling with plug-cut herring or using a jig with a curly tail grub can also yield good results. For those targeting halibut, which are still available in some areas, using large jigs or baiting with squid or octopus has been successful.

### Hot Spots
One of the hot spots right now is the area off the coast of Brookings, particularly around the Chetco River estuary, where king salmon and halibut are showing up in greater numbers. Another good spot is near the Point St. George lighthouse, known for its productive fishing grounds for lingcod and rockfish. The Buoy 10 area, although primarily known for river fishing, has seen excellent ocean fishing for coho and Chinook salmon when the fish move into the estuary.

Overall, it's a great time to be out on the water, with a variety of fish species available and favorable weather conditions. Just be sure to check the latest regulations before you head out.