How do you Newport Guys do it?

[Smthtnnr]

I have been trying to figure out rock fishing at Newport, but I just can't find the fish! I have taken 4 trips there so far that have resulted in maybe 5 dinks, 1 pig sand bass (25 inches), 2 barely legal sandies and a couple of short sandies. I know how to rockfish, I regularly limit when I drive down to LJ, but I just can't find the fish at Newport! Anyone have any tips? I have been fishing from 120-200 and have put in at least 25 hours of fishing time unsuccessfully. Thanks for any help!

[jorluivil]

Originally Posted by Smthtnnr

I have been trying to figure out rock fishing at Newport, but I just can't find the fish! I have taken 4 trips there so far that have resulted in maybe 5 dinks, 1 pig sand bass (25 inches), 2 barely legal sandies and a couple of short sandies. I know how to rockfish, I regularly limit when I drive down to LJ, but I just can't find the fish at Newport! Anyone have any tips? I have been fishing from 120-200 and have put in at least 25 hours of fishing time unsuccessfully. Thanks for any help!

I've had some luck finding rockfish in the area but the areas that I did find were pretty small. I recall the first time that I was there it took me well over an hour of scouting just to find a decent spot and I also recall the area being extremely small but literally every drop was a hook-up. There were a few dinks here and there, most if not all of the big ones were between 12-15 inches.

What kind of transducer do you have? According to one of the techs from Lowrance if you're running with a 80/200 you will lose some detail after 100', they recommend that for anything deeper than that you want to go with a 50/200. Maybe that's the difference, maybe not. Its possible that if you have the 80/200 transducer you're paddling right over some rock piles and not even noticing it on your FF.

Keep at it, I'm sure you'll find a spot. I heard through the grapevine that there are some really nice spots just outside of Newport, this info came from a reputable source. The spot is so top secret that he wouldn't give me the number

[blitzburgh]

Jorluivil gave some good info. You are probably closer than you realize. One of the things I like to do is once I find some fish in a certain depth, I will work that "band" of depth up & down in searh of other schools. I could be completely wrong (and I often am ) but it seems like whenever I find some at a certain depth, I always find more at that depth. That does not mean I never find additional fish at other depths, I just have success working it that way. Another thing I have found at Newport - the fish seem to move way more often than other spots. You can be on a spot, drift it once and they've moved right after. Most of the time close by but they've moved, especially the big Reds. Keep at it man, you'll get em.

[jruiz]

Lots of lizards and dabs out there now wasting bait.

[Smthtnnr]

Thanks guys. I am running an 80/200 (Elite 5) but it hasn't hurt me too much from what I've noticed. I guess I just have to keep plugging away. I appreciate the tips!

[StinkyMatt]

Best way to rockfish Newport is to go somewhere else.


Try outside of point Fermin, long beach.


P.M. Tony(FulRack). He will give you some exact numbers.

[William Novotny]

Hey I've had alot of success in the 185‘ area. Turn your sensitivity way up on your lawrence and zoom in on the bottom. If you have split screen option between map I usually set some waypoints when I hit a school and another when it tappers of so I have multiple points of reference to rake back and forth between. The rockpiles could be just a small shelf or indent in shoal. Instead of sweeping back and forth searching I've done well doing concentric circles spreading out bigger and bigger till I get on a pile. Hope this helps

[socal_matt]

Just like what William said. I've also had a lot of success there too. When I first started fishing that rockfish spot about 2 years ago they always seemed to be in the same spot, but now I have to admit I've had some trouble, they seem to be moving around a bit more. Either that or else I end up stumbling across a new spot almost every time I go out there. Some advice, do not try anything shallower than 170 ft, cuz that will be sanddab and lizardfish galore, mainly lizardfish. Overall, its just about getting lucky out there. First time I tried that area was the first weekend of March a couple of years ago and I happened to stumble upon a school at around 200 ft and found a red snapper. Fished it hard for a little while, ended up with a handful of reds and starries. Then the next thing to do when you get lucky is to save the spot you were in, because they will likely be there the next time. I don't have a gps so I have been using landmarks with depth, its suited me pretty well.

Thats just my two cents.

Also, I might be going out there in the next week or so since I haven't been on a kayak in the past 2 months because of the broken bones and a screwed up knee. I need to feed the kayak fishing addiction, its been too long.

Otherwise, good luck out there.

[easyday]

Nice advice jim. Gotta love it

[MrM]

Hit reply on accident. whoops.

[Bert Vega]

Deamon

Has my vote for best post of the year so far!!!!

[CheapPelican]

Originally Posted by MrM

Hit reply on accident. whoops.

Is somebody collecting intel. on rockfishing NP?