Summer 2022 and this Reno family finally took the popular CA/OR Coast road trip and by the time we landed in Coos Bay, I had to go fishing!
Now I get seasick REALLY easily, and I've avoided offshore fishing for a long time. After failing to go fishing in Fort Bragg, I started looking into land based opportunities in Coos Bay at the local tackle shop, and while there they told me about Capt. John and the Compass Rose. I started chatting with Captain John and he was understanding of my situation but super reassuring, and by the end of the day I was looking forward to going on an AM trip the next morning.
Sadly that plan was foiled by a sick kid, but Capt. John is great at updating his social media and I caught the very successful morning report (2 hours and limited out - totally flat seas) and I made the call to jump on in the afternoon hoping to find the same slick calm seas.
NOW... Capt. John and his mate put us on the fish! We limited out on rockfish within two or three drifts. We fished long leaders on electric reels baited with teasers and squid. It did the trick and each drop we'd get 2-3 fish on average, many larger too. From there we went to the crab pots and each of those was stacked too! Limits all around and a nice experience!
BUT... Seas were a solid 4-6ft that day, by my estimate, and to no fault of the captain, all but one fishing on the boat was over the side at points during the trip.
Now the Compass Rose is a nice boat. Nice new fishing gear. New electronics. Newer and smooth running motors. Suspension ride seats in the cabin. Space for 6 fishing, captain and a mate. I have no doubt under certain circumstances this boat is a nice ride and a pleasure to be on, but this day the seas had another plan and no amount of niceties would help.
I still had a blast and would recommend hiring Capt. John to get you out when you're in the area! read more