One of those "where to fish" threads

[Coefficient13]

Gonna be "that guy" and ask about where to fish on the Willamette for smallmouth

Arriving in Portland on business a day early and leaving a few days late. Think I will be linked up with folks later, but doing a lot of research for where to put in the first day of fishing.

I would like to hit two spots for 4-5 hours each, from shore and have:
Cedar island
Portland Willamette park (as there appears to be one elsewhere too)
Tom McCall waterfront park
Roehr waterfront park
Cathedral park

My concern is which ones have a lot of shoreline so I can put in for a while, and which ones hold fish. Is the water low enough to shore access all around the island? Is there somewhere much better I missed?

I did read around, but I couldn't tell which places were a quick after work spot vs. a long haul. Not asking for any secrets, or techniques, but a little nudge towards the right two or best choice would be wonderful. I catch pic release, and I will certainly file a full report with methods and baits, even if its a list of what they didn't like

Sorry for being the where do I fish guy,
Cheers,
-Coefficient13

 

[Troutski]

Hang in there some one will chime in and get you into some fish, I am down south or I would help.... If you ever make it down here give me a shout and I can help you out.
Tight lines....

Chuck

 

[bass]

This is not right in downtown Portland, but where the Tualatin river dumps into the Willamette in West Lynn is usually decent for some smallmouth. The general key for river fishing is find rocks and fish around them with a mix of crankbaits and soft plastic. I have caught bass at Willamette Park in Portland but I think that there may be better spots. I believe the most successful bank fisherman focus more on the East side of the river in the area around OMSI and downstream from there. Sorry I do not have more specific information. Best of luck.

 

[Coefficient13]

Thanks, that is helpful. The Esplande was further down on my list for hopes of something a little less in the city itself, but it sure is a lot of area to check out, appears to have pillars and other structure to boot.

Perhaps the trick is to walk the Esplande at first, then take a lunch and hit Cedar Island if it currently has a shoreline and the portion of Mary S Young state park that is by there. That certainly looks like the widest area sets to choose from and look for some patterns, provided the Island has it's shoreline exposed rather than being platform fishing.

I appreciate the input, hopefully a bit more info will help me set the plan in stone Good job rocking the crank for smallies on your last trip, Bass

 

[Coefficient13]

Well I shall find out tomorrow what my planning has done for me. Have some different baits for murky water, my local waters are crazy clear. Soft rod tips and no backbone on the cheap travel rods limits methods.

If anyone could just comment on whether the shore of cedar island is currently walkable, that would be of huge help. Someone must have gone by there. Please?

Otherwise I will hope for the best. Oh the nerves of right before a trip to a place and style you're unfamiliar with... Lulz.

 

[rippin fish lips]

Otherwise I will hope for the best. Oh the nerves of right before a trip to a place and style you're unfamiliar with... Lulz.

I wish i could help you on this topic. But i can't, i dont know anything about that area lol. Keep tryin to get responses through out the day, someone will chime in. Good luck and be safe out there!

 

[Roolinghills]

You'd have good bank access at Clackamette Park, and even the other side at Meldrum Bar Park (just google map it). I've seen bass jumping 15 feet from shore while floating around the mouth of the Clackamas while fly fishing. If you're bank-bound and want to walk the shore a bit I'd suggest Meldrum. There may be closer spots to downtown, but other than the Oaks Park area, I can't think of anywhere to go without having to pay to park (everywhere on the west side of the river). If you're just bass fishing and find yourself with some extra time downtown, you can go under the Hawthorne Bridge, too.

Have fun!

 

[Roolinghills]

And the Oaks Park beach area is also an off leash dog park. Not fun when casting. I don't suggest it.

 

[Coefficient13]

Thanks, oaks park was on my list after seeing it on satellite pics, good to know.

 

[Roolinghills]

'Welcome. I'm curious what people use for bass fishing. I haven't done it in about 10 years and don't remember the gear setups. I bought a few of those big spinner-bait rigs but haven't had much luck. Are those plastic worms with a cork-screw tail a good thing to use?

Last, and biggest, bass I caught was accidental while steelhead fishing the Columbia. Apparently they enjoy the spin n' glo's and shrimp, too!

Might just bypass the spinning rigs and try bass on the fly. Keep it "simple".

Good luck, and welcome to Portland!

 

[Coefficient13]

Had attempted to post on my phone but apparently it didn't go.

Hit up the esplanade but didn't feel it. Rocked cranks, spinnerbaits, and a carolina rig.

Moved to meldrum bar and it was crowded so walked up stream to where some trees were hitting shore. Got a 2lb plus off the carolina rig 3/8 bullet, flouro leader 4.5 inch brown purple blue roboworm straight tail. Decided to hit the shelf with the dropshot to keep my bait in that zone, smaller bait robo with a chartreuse twisty tail. Got a bite but missed it immediately and it was hanging up a bit. put the same bait on the carolina and got another under 2 lbs.

decided to upsize and go for a big guy, got no further bites. Was out of water and it was quite hot. All in all fished a lot less than I had meant to, but I'll get back out soon enough. Post a few pics once able.

 

[bass]

Sounds like you had a pretty good first day Coefficient13. Thanks for posting the report.