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I've fished Newport Bay for over 30 years and would like to share some of my "secrets" with the board...so here goes.
Jigheads: 1/8 to 3/8 oz. jigheads (I use 1/4 oz. 90% of the time), jighead weight depends on tidal movement, just keep your baits hitting the bottom. If you fish the docks, watching the line's movement is critical, don't overlook this, if you do, you will miss out on fish (stay focused).
Grubs: Size: Without a doubt, a 5" Grub catches more fish than the smaller baits (5" is the measurement when you stretch out the tail and measure the grubs from head to tail). Favorite colors in order: Red Moonstone (this like a pearl color with a hint of red, it is the exact same color as a razor clam and everything in NPH eats 'em), Clear w/Red Flake (good luck on finding this color, but if you do, buy it, everything in NPH eats 'em too), Chartreuse w/Red, Silver or Gold Flake (this is without a doubt the best color for Sand Bass), Lime Green (this is the same color that you see in a Spotted Bay Basses eyes (no wonder it is so deadly), Motor Oil w/Red, Silver or Gold Flake (Motor Oil catches fish in fresh or salt water), Rootbeer w/Gold or Silver Flake (a Halibut favorite).
Crankbaits: My fishing partner and I won a tournament trolling this bait, all 10 fish (alive) were Spotted Bay Bass, the closest competitor also had 10 fish, but they were all Sand Bass, and the spotties weighed more; in fact, he told me later he had us on his binoculars, knew we were catching fish, but my parnter and I hid it so well, he never knew what we were doing (he saw us trolling, so thought we were trolling grubs, so that's what he did, ha ha). The absolute best crankbait to use for trolling in NPH is the Bomber Model A Deep Diver, colors: G-Fleck Bengal Fire Tiger (my personal favorite), Chrome/Black Back/White Belly, Metachrome/Black Back and Silver Flash (you want the 3", 5/8 oz. model that dives 10-13 ft.). You will absolutely catch Halibut on this bait, so enjoy! If you are fishing low tide or no tidal movement, these are the baits you want to cast and catch lots of fish!
I just checked Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops for the above mentioned crankbaits, but I've found the best selection is here:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Hope this helps!!
Jigheads: 1/8 to 3/8 oz. jigheads (I use 1/4 oz. 90% of the time), jighead weight depends on tidal movement, just keep your baits hitting the bottom. If you fish the docks, watching the line's movement is critical, don't overlook this, if you do, you will miss out on fish (stay focused).
Grubs: Size: Without a doubt, a 5" Grub catches more fish than the smaller baits (5" is the measurement when you stretch out the tail and measure the grubs from head to tail). Favorite colors in order: Red Moonstone (this like a pearl color with a hint of red, it is the exact same color as a razor clam and everything in NPH eats 'em), Clear w/Red Flake (good luck on finding this color, but if you do, buy it, everything in NPH eats 'em too), Chartreuse w/Red, Silver or Gold Flake (this is without a doubt the best color for Sand Bass), Lime Green (this is the same color that you see in a Spotted Bay Basses eyes (no wonder it is so deadly), Motor Oil w/Red, Silver or Gold Flake (Motor Oil catches fish in fresh or salt water), Rootbeer w/Gold or Silver Flake (a Halibut favorite).
Crankbaits: My fishing partner and I won a tournament trolling this bait, all 10 fish (alive) were Spotted Bay Bass, the closest competitor also had 10 fish, but they were all Sand Bass, and the spotties weighed more; in fact, he told me later he had us on his binoculars, knew we were catching fish, but my parnter and I hid it so well, he never knew what we were doing (he saw us trolling, so thought we were trolling grubs, so that's what he did, ha ha). The absolute best crankbait to use for trolling in NPH is the Bomber Model A Deep Diver, colors: G-Fleck Bengal Fire Tiger (my personal favorite), Chrome/Black Back/White Belly, Metachrome/Black Back and Silver Flash (you want the 3", 5/8 oz. model that dives 10-13 ft.). You will absolutely catch Halibut on this bait, so enjoy! If you are fishing low tide or no tidal movement, these are the baits you want to cast and catch lots of fish!
I just checked Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops for the above mentioned crankbaits, but I've found the best selection is here:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Hope this helps!!
