Document text
Halibut anglers get special dates By MARK FREEMAN Ocean anglers along the Southern Oregon coast and the entire California coast will get their own halibut sport-fishing season again this year. The May 1-through-Sept. 30 season for waters from Port Orford south to Mexico was again authorized by the International Pacific Halibut Commission as part of its sport-halibut seasons for Washington, Oregon and California. The Southern Oregon/California fishery will be open seven days a week, with fishing open in all water depths. The season equals that of last year, which was the first year that Southern Oregon and California have had a halibut season separated from the rest of Oregon. The bag limit remains the first halibut 32 inches or longer, and fishermen are required to carry a salmon/steelhead/halibut/sturgeon tag with their fishing license. Halibut, large and flat bottom-dwellers that feed in deep-water channels often several miles offshore, are a prized commodity for sport anglers because of their tough fight and excellent taste. Halibut fishing, however, is not a popular venture in this area; the waters from the Columbia River south to the Bandon area sport more halibut and are better suited for anglers, particularly those who venture due west out of Newport. But sport-fishing interests have touted the Southern Oregon season as a good addition to salmon and bottom-fishing opportunities here. Here is a rundown of the halibut fishing seasons for sportsmen along the West Coast as set by federal fish managers: CAPE FALCON to FLORENCE Inside the 30-fathom line -- Open May 1 through Sept. 30, or until a 12,324-pound quota is reached. Last year's quota was 9,650 pounds. Fishing is open every day. May all-depth fishery -- Open May 11-13 and 18-19, with a quota of 97,630 pounds (up from 93,740 pounds last year). If any poundage remains, the season would be expanded to include one or more days in June. Those days would be June 15, 16 or 17. The information will be posted on a halibut hot-line, 1-800-662-9825). August all-depth fishery -- Opens Aug. 4 unless previous catches for the Cape Falcon-to-Humbug Mountain area reach the 142,618-pound quota for 2000. If not, Aug. 5 could be added to the season, or Aug. 18. An announcement will be made July 17. LEADBETTER POINT, WASH., to CAPE FALCON Open May 1 until an 8,177-pound quota is reached. Fishing is open seven days per week and there are no depth restrictions. Staff writer Mark Freeman covers the outdoors for the Mail Tribune. Call him at 776-4470, or e-mail him at [email protected] ) Outdoor Journal Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Mail Tribune � 2000 -- Medford, Oregon USA