Astoria bridge at tide change...worth it or not?

Paranoid · 08-21-2001, 03:44 PM

Had the "pleasure" of fishing the bridge at both tide changes over the weekend. It felt like fishing bouy 10 when the tides running hard. The difference is that there are huge concrete pilings directly downstream in 10 mph currents. I know that the boat loss is almost a dozen at Bouy 10. I am amazed that that number is not at least the same here. Big boats, little boats, fat boats, skinny boats..etc..even drift boats. I feel fairly confident in my ability to keep my boat under control, but what about you? One wrong move will cause a domino effect that surely will result in catastrophy. Please, know your limitations. Let's all try to give each other some room. I tried my best, but the space a gave up was quickly taken up by other boats. I was literaly rod tip to rod tip in 10 mph current, with my 9.9 at full throttle. Let's all have fun and catch a few, but let's all come back!...Thanks [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Jennie@ifish · 08-21-2001, 05:34 PM

I thought this worth mentioning here.
Keep away from the West Mooring basin during an outgoing tide. The waves can get monsterous, and many boats have had trouble or catastrophe there.
Jen

Joe Schwab · 08-21-2001, 06:24 PM

One thing I have always done at Buoy 10 is when the tide is ripping and quarters are close I get the big engine running. Having it there at the flick of the wrist is a comforting thought. Power is good!

fishinlady97140 · 08-21-2001, 06:26 PM

I agree Capt. Hook...we did the same thing after near collisions the day before...not worth the risk...sea anchors and the big motor rule.

Hookset · 08-21-2001, 06:54 PM

Have to agree with you Paranoid, Sunday fishing the bridge on the incoming was a lot like buoy 10, except without the large waves. That current was something else. I gave up for quieter waters, fishing didn't look hot enough to stay in that mess. And good thing I did. Found a better bite downriver in 18 to 20 feet of water.

Gregg

Pirate · 08-21-2001, 08:41 PM

We did the same....run the big engine to the buoy, start the kicker at a med-high rpm. Leave both running while kicking the big motor in and out of gear to fine tune our troll till there was breathing room. A necessity in tight quarters and when the rods go down, which they did. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ 08-21-2001: Message edited by: Pirate ]

Chris Nordling · 08-21-2001, 09:57 PM

Paranoid,
I too had the pleasure of fishing the bridge on Sunday. WOW! I was in one of those driftboats and was it scary coming back into Chinook after the tide change and wind picked up. We stayed below the bridge and pilings and ended up keeping 1 and putting back a small nate, and lost 1 chinook. All in all I learned A LOT thanks to many helpful people at the docks,mainly to AVOID being out there when there's a p.m. high tide. Anyways, I know my limits a little better now. No fish is worth drowning for, leave the swimming to the fish. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Keep the baits in the water.....

Chris [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

HT Buzzo · 08-21-2001, 10:41 PM

Chris,
I was going to take my driftboat up there, and someone told me there was some calmer water right around Hammond. Aren't there a couple of other places where a driftboat can get in and out early in the morning without causing too many "waves" with the larger boats? My wife won't let me buy the 26 foot dual outboard that I want until I payoff the explorer, the house, and get the kids through college- what a jip!

Harold

Harold

Chris Nordling · 08-22-2001, 04:17 PM

HT-

I'm not sure about any other launches. I was told the one by the bridge is VERY steep and has claimed a rear end or two. Not for me. Actually the water didn't get "wavy" until late afternoon when the tide changed and the wind picked up. As far as the bigger boats are concerned, we didn't seem to bother anyone below the bridge, in fact for about 1/2 an hour I had a guide boat following me! Anyways as with anything else, use common sense, and troll like everyone else. If the waves come up,get out of there in drifty. I have a 9.8 motor and when the waves came ,it was one LONG ride back. As far as putting in at Hammond, I'm not sure ,as it was my first time there, although I think it's kind of rough around the Desmonda Flats, not to mention a long ride to the Church hole from the Oregon side with a small motor. This week I'm hoping my buddy will take his boat, otherwise I may be back, after all there are nothing but late p.m . tides, that gives me time to get our 6 and get out!

Good luck, soon it will be time to drift some rivers closer to home for silvers!

Chris [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]