| ROCKFISH, LING COD AND HALIBUT We will be offering a dual fishing charter--rockfish and lingcod, then into the harbor to offload the rockfish at the dock, and as quickly as possible, put out to the deep sea with different fishing gear, bait, fairly heavy weights and drifting or anchoring to chase the mighty Pacific Halibut and its smaller brother, the California Halibut. Some people may elect to just fish the rockfish, and some may go for the full day which includes a half day of halibut fishing. |
| 2009-2010 Events & NEWS at Golden Bear Fishing Charters |
BLACK ROCKFISH
| Typical LINGCOD |
| RECENT ROCKFISH FISH REPORTS The rockfish and ling cod season runs 15 May to 15 September this year. The reports from both sports and commercial fishermen is that the fishery is very strong. This year the rock fishing limit is ten, of which two ling cod may be taken. This is a better limit than Oregon whose daily total rockfish quota including ling cod is only six fish. |
The ring sits on the bottom. The crab crawl onto the ring and eat the bait. The boat will return alongside the buoy every twenty or thirty
minutes. A deckhand will hook the buoy for the fisherman who will pull the ring (and the big, fat crab, hopefully) to the surface quickly before
the crab can crawl off. The crab don’t often get off as their legs get caught in the netting within the ring. Once the ring is at the surface, the
deckhand will assist the fisherman getting the ring quickly landed on the deck. You will be able to keep the legal crabs, after being checked
by the deckhand for size and sex (no females). You can toss back the small ones, taking care not to let them catch you, or a deckhand will
assist. Then after re-baiting the ring, it is tossed over again. It is truly a fun fishing trip as it is so active! We will be offering three large
propane boiler pots ashore so that you may catch, cook and eat on the spot, or cook them and ice them for their trip home. Crabbing should
be very good November, December, January and February of 2010.
minutes. A deckhand will hook the buoy for the fisherman who will pull the ring (and the big, fat crab, hopefully) to the surface quickly before
the crab can crawl off. The crab don’t often get off as their legs get caught in the netting within the ring. Once the ring is at the surface, the
deckhand will assist the fisherman getting the ring quickly landed on the deck. You will be able to keep the legal crabs, after being checked
by the deckhand for size and sex (no females). You can toss back the small ones, taking care not to let them catch you, or a deckhand will
assist. Then after re-baiting the ring, it is tossed over again. It is truly a fun fishing trip as it is so active! We will be offering three large
propane boiler pots ashore so that you may catch, cook and eat on the spot, or cook them and ice them for their trip home. Crabbing should
be very good November, December, January and February of 2010.
| SIGHTSEEING TRIPS Group charters can be booked to carry groups out to the famed St. George’s Reef Light House just a few miles offshore. When built in the late 1800’s, it was America’s most expensive lighthouse structure built to that date. Just a slow coastal ride amongst the islands and down the coast may tickle the fancy of those just wanting to get out on the water for a leisurely ride. |
| PACIFIC HALIBUT FISHERY The fishery for the Pacific halibut extends until 31 October 2009. |
| BURIAL AT SEA Grandfather may have been a Navy man, or a Marine or in the Army. His wishes for his ashes to be buried at sea could not be better honored than aboard the GOLDEN BEAR. From my extensive maritime collection, I have the dress blue uniform of a World War II Merchant Marine Captain. A US Navy chaplain has prepared for me the rites honoring a serviceman. A more respectful and befitting service cannot be found for our honored veterans. This service is available, of course, to others wishing their final resting place to be along the coast. |
CALIFORNIA GREY WHALE WATCHING
Going to sea to watch for the California Grey whales as they head north to their Alaskan feeding grounds is from
March through May. Sometimes the whales are close to shore, and sometimes we have to go to sea a ways to
find them. Often times we see killer sharks accompanying the slowly moving whales. Bring your binoculars (the
best are 7x 50’s), cameras and video cameras. We do have a half dozen pairs of 7 x 50’s binoculars for those
who don’t have any.
The whales are visible in December, heading south to the warm waters of Baja California, for rest, relaxation and
to have their young. So a December whale watching trip, especially from Christmas to New Year’s is a great time
to see the whales!
Going to sea to watch for the California Grey whales as they head north to their Alaskan feeding grounds is from
March through May. Sometimes the whales are close to shore, and sometimes we have to go to sea a ways to
find them. Often times we see killer sharks accompanying the slowly moving whales. Bring your binoculars (the
best are 7x 50’s), cameras and video cameras. We do have a half dozen pairs of 7 x 50’s binoculars for those
who don’t have any.
The whales are visible in December, heading south to the warm waters of Baja California, for rest, relaxation and
to have their young. So a December whale watching trip, especially from Christmas to New Year’s is a great time
to see the whales!
SPORT DUNGENESS CRAB FISHING
We will commence Dungeness fishing opening day November 1st, 2009. We will be using crab rings and the
limit per person is ten legal size males per day. This is a fun fishery as the rings are baited and tossed over the
side by the fisherman. They are approximately thirty inches in diameter and weigh only a few pounds. Ladies
will have no problem with handling this gear at all. There is a long line connected to the crab ring and a buoy
which floats on top of the water.
We will commence Dungeness fishing opening day November 1st, 2009. We will be using crab rings and the
limit per person is ten legal size males per day. This is a fun fishery as the rings are baited and tossed over the
side by the fisherman. They are approximately thirty inches in diameter and weigh only a few pounds. Ladies
will have no problem with handling this gear at all. There is a long line connected to the crab ring and a buoy
which floats on top of the water.
St. George's Lighthouse
ALEUTIAN GEESE
This close relative of the Canadian goose lives far to the west of the Alaskan mainland in the
barren islands of the Aleutian Island chain. Locally, a weekend when the Aleutian Geese
arrive in Crescent City has been set aside for celebration. Use your computer to keep in
touch as to when this weekend is planned. The Crescent City Chamber of Commerce, the
local newspaper “The Daily Triplicate” and “googling” Crescent City Aleutian Goose Festival
should give you all the information you need.
This close relative of the Canadian goose lives far to the west of the Alaskan mainland in the
barren islands of the Aleutian Island chain. Locally, a weekend when the Aleutian Geese
arrive in Crescent City has been set aside for celebration. Use your computer to keep in
touch as to when this weekend is planned. The Crescent City Chamber of Commerce, the
local newspaper “The Daily Triplicate” and “googling” Crescent City Aleutian Goose Festival
should give you all the information you need.
This year, with the availability of the GOLDEN BEAR, folks will be able to cruise to the islands
where thousands of the Aleutian Geese are taking a breather after having flown thousands of
miles non stop. Generally the Aleutian Goose Festival is expected the last weekend in March.
From the boat, we can approach to within 500 feet of the birds which should allow some great
photography and binocular work and will dazzle the big bird lovers.
where thousands of the Aleutian Geese are taking a breather after having flown thousands of
miles non stop. Generally the Aleutian Goose Festival is expected the last weekend in March.
From the boat, we can approach to within 500 feet of the birds which should allow some great
photography and binocular work and will dazzle the big bird lovers.
WHAT’S HAPPENING OVER AT THE COAST?
“No trip is cast in stone“. Call us to see what the sea conditions are and what our recommendations for
a fun day at the seashore might be. “Great fun” might not even be at sea. Just several days ago, at low
tide, we took our shovels right down to the sand at the end of our dock and within 45 minutes had a pile
of great big quahog clams, which made for a delicious meal of fried clam strips and Boston Clam
Chowder!
“No trip is cast in stone“. Call us to see what the sea conditions are and what our recommendations for
a fun day at the seashore might be. “Great fun” might not even be at sea. Just several days ago, at low
tide, we took our shovels right down to the sand at the end of our dock and within 45 minutes had a pile
of great big quahog clams, which made for a delicious meal of fried clam strips and Boston Clam
Chowder!
| THE BOAT The M/V GOLDEN BEAR is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed and inspected boat to carry sports fishermen. She is 44 feet long, has two steering stations, two Detroit Diesel 6v53 engines, a 14 foot by 12 foot back deck, very comfortable new “tuck and roll” Naugahyde seat cushions and backs in the foreward and main cabin, a card table, a new marine head (toilet) and a great color scheme, climaxed by our big Golden Bear on the flying bridge front. Notice his little smile! He loves to go fishing! |
CAPTAINS FRED AND BRIDGET HICKS
We are both fairly recently retired Masters (Captains) from regular seagoing work: deep sea oil tankers, grain ships, tugs and barges, Gulf
of Mexico oilfield supply vessels, just about anything that floats! So operating the GOLDEN BEAR is a fun floating retirement job for us,
and a culmination of fifty years of seagoing experience for you folks, who we assure you are in very good hands.
We are both fairly recently retired Masters (Captains) from regular seagoing work: deep sea oil tankers, grain ships, tugs and barges, Gulf
of Mexico oilfield supply vessels, just about anything that floats! So operating the GOLDEN BEAR is a fun floating retirement job for us,
and a culmination of fifty years of seagoing experience for you folks, who we assure you are in very good hands.
THE RETIREMENT THAT BECAME A BOAT PROJECT!
We moved into the area five years ago, discovered and purchased the former SEA OTTER at Port Orford, Oregon which became the
Motor Vessel GOLDEN BEAR about three years ago. We have been working on restoring, repainting, reupholstering, rewiring, and
installing new systems such as pumps, hosing and fittings as finances, weather and the tolls to our bodies allowed. Anyone who has spent
anytime jammed between two big diesel engines will know about aches and pains! But it is something that must be done! Our port engine
(the boat has 2 engines) has just completed a total overhaul and as of June 2009 it was reinstalled in the engine room.
We like to go to sea. We enjoy seeing people’s smiling faces when they board the vessel and while they are either fishing, crabbing,
whale or bird watching. We know we did our jobs if those same grins are apparent upon disembarkation at the end of the trip.
We moved into the area five years ago, discovered and purchased the former SEA OTTER at Port Orford, Oregon which became the
Motor Vessel GOLDEN BEAR about three years ago. We have been working on restoring, repainting, reupholstering, rewiring, and
installing new systems such as pumps, hosing and fittings as finances, weather and the tolls to our bodies allowed. Anyone who has spent
anytime jammed between two big diesel engines will know about aches and pains! But it is something that must be done! Our port engine
(the boat has 2 engines) has just completed a total overhaul and as of June 2009 it was reinstalled in the engine room.
We like to go to sea. We enjoy seeing people’s smiling faces when they board the vessel and while they are either fishing, crabbing,
whale or bird watching. We know we did our jobs if those same grins are apparent upon disembarkation at the end of the trip.
A Quahog Clam
A Pacific Halibut
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