How do I plan an ocean fishing trip?

Pilar · 05-23-2002, 12:14 PM

I hate to send you down there, cuz I'm not going too. You are on the right track. Sunday looks better by far, but the cleanup is late Sunday, not a good time. Hey wait that matters not this weekend!!! Saturday could be ok if the wind does not happen. As Wak'm has mentioned a few times now the S to SW wind has not happened with any strength the last few times around. Your eyes will tell you the story before you launch.

If you have no other plans, try to fish Saturday and go for it on Sunday. You can stock up on bait on Saturday if you don't go out.

You were right to mention the tides, they are near maximum. You have an 8 ft change on Saturday and an even bigger one on Sunday. It will most likely be bumpy early at the bar both days. So go out in the morning but be careful at the bar. I would make it a half day. The afternoon bar will most likely be wild if the wind is blowing as the ebb tide gets going .. like 2 or 3 pm.

Head for the dock if the wind changes and it starts to get rougher. You will have the wind at your back on the way in, this is a good thing.

The launch will be interesting too with a minus tide exposing most of the ramp.

Sounds like fun, wish I could go.

Hook-up · 05-23-2002, 07:56 PM

Seal rock is a great place to fish. However it has a few spots that due to bottom/rocks have a tendency to hump up all of the sudden. Keep an eye out, even if it seems pretty calm where you are as we have seen some pretty freak type wave action that occurs out of the blue in that area so do not be lulled. At one time we marked a couple of the bad spots on the GPS but lost them in transition between new and old GPS (sorry). Do not want to worry you, just wanted to warn you to keep a close eye out. Good luck.

wishntobefishn · 05-23-2002, 08:42 PM

Thanks for the help. I'll give you a report when I get back.

Captn · 05-23-2002, 09:46 PM

There is a computer program called "Tides & Currents" that will not only give you the tides at anyplace on the West Coast any time up to year 2099. You can view this program on www.capjack.com. I bought it about 3 or 4 years ago, and it is really handy. You can make your own tide charts and the list goes on. One of the really nice features is it gives you the minimum flow of the bar. This is really handy for those places that are noted for nasty habits. It is pretty safe in almost all cases to be at the entrance about 1 hour after high or low tide. So you are going to be pretty safe timing your adventures at about that one hour after. Is there anyone out there who agrees or disagrees? I have written this like a statement, but it is just as much a question. What do you think Pilar, Threemuch?

[ 05-23-2002, 10:46 PM: Message edited by: captn ]

Fishplay · 05-23-2002, 09:50 PM

Hey Wishn
I'm planning a trip out of Newport on Sunday. I will fish either Seal Rock or Rockpile. I have fished both these spots before but have no gps #'s for Seal Rock. If you like we can Buddy Boat.
Greg

BUGLEMAN · 05-23-2002, 10:28 PM

Hey Fishplay or Wishn I'll be down in Waldport this weekend. If the wind is low and you could use one more crew I have my own gear etc. Shoot me an email.

wishntobefishn · 05-23-2002, 11:49 PM

First off, thanks for all of the great information on this board. I want to make my trips in the Ocean fun AND safe, and this board makes it possible.

That being said....

I've been reading and taking notes about what to look for in ocean conditions and bar crossings.
I'm plannng trip to Newport this weekend and hoping to go to the Rockpile or Seal rock for some bottom fish,
so I though I'd like to put some specifics to what I've read, so that I can make the right plans.
I'm hoping that someone can validate my thought process.

I have a 21' Thunderjet with a 12degree bottom.

This weekend the tides look like....

Saturday low tide -1.5 6:18am
high 6.5 12:39pm
low 1.9 6:01pm

Sunday low tide -1.9 7:05am
high 6.6 1:34pm
low 2.4 6:47pm

The marine forcast looks like....

Saturday S WIND 20 KT...SWITCHING TO SW IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND
WAVES 4 FT. W SWELL 6 FT. RAIN...TURNING TO SHOWERS.

Sunday W WIND 15 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT. W SWELL 5 TO 6 FT.

Saturday looks very questionable. I read on another post that if the wind waves and the swells is 10 or more... Stay off the water!

This leaves Sunday as the best option. Wind waves 2, swells 6 = 8 feet. Wind at 15kt from the west should be OK.
20kt or more can be a problem. Especially with my boat. Wind from the west will mean an easier ride home since I won't be
hitting the waves head on.

Now that I've got a day selected, I need to determine what time to go. This is where I'm not sure. With a -1.9 low tide at 7:05,
I think I should target somewhere around 8am to cross the bar and return by 2:00pm.

Am I on the right track here?

Fishplay · 05-24-2002, 04:06 AM

Sorry Bugleman I got a full crew.

wishntobefishn · 05-24-2002, 06:18 AM

BUGLEMAN, I'll get back to you. I may have room.

wishntobefishn · 05-24-2002, 09:15 AM

Bugelman.... Check your email