Ocean access ports

WP · 11-13-2002, 02:27 PM

I am familiar with Newport and have been out of Depot, so have an idea about there. I used to commercial out of Coos Bay, in my youth, so know some of the south coast ocean access points and their weakneses. What I would like is opinions on the access points north of Newport. I have heard that there are not many good ones to run through...???? I appreciate any feedback. I would like to try different waters for ocean salmon next year...particularly for chinook.
WP

Miss B Haven · 11-13-2002, 02:50 PM

Tillamook can be flat or can be one of the worst. Big thing is the CG will shut it down at a hint of anything. Too many Salmon crazed non-boaters go there. CG is very conservative. If it's open you shouldn't have a problem. If they close it you'll be stuck in the bay with a 1000 of your best friends and all the salad you can eat!
Nehalem is the only other spot (I won't call it a port) North of Depoe until you get to CR. Nehalem is probably the worst bar on the coast. Kicks up at the slightest whim. Jetty's aren't good for much of anything there. Not much fishing is done outside. You are probably better off going out of T-bay and running up (only 10 miles?) rather than plan on trying to get out and back at Nehalem.
CR is big and long, but is not closed down very often in Salmon season. Once in a while it closes to under 30 feet during ebb and until some water gets back over the bar on the incoming. Plenty of 18-20 footers out there (and some real crazy's in 14's as you find eveywhere). The big difference is that on the CR you wil lbe a LONG way from getting inside if it kicks up. Most fishing is done out 6 miles to get off the bar influence and the chop. Fog might be worse there (not sure - I never saw as much fog at T-bay - but it's a different time of year too!). I would not fish out of CR without full electronics (Radar/GPS/VHF and Sounder). I would and did fish out of Garabaldi in a 16 footer with just VHF.
The bar at the CR was a dream this season. Just wasn't an issue. Next year, who knows?
Difference at CR is distance (the bar itself is over 5 miles long on a good day) and company. You can quickly find yourself 12 plus miles from the entrance at CR and not a sole in sight. T-bay the fish are closer, no real need to run that far. Current pushes you south at CR and lots if fish out there too!
Sounds like you need to link up with some company next summer. Be glad to have you run with us if you want to try the big river!

Myles · 11-13-2002, 03:07 PM

have a look here
http://www.marinebd.osmb.state.or.us/CoastalWaters/

It's a start

myles

WP · 11-13-2002, 03:45 PM

Thanks for the help folks...thwe web site is a little scary! Glad I remeber that warnings should always be more severe than reality.
WP

Threemuch · 11-13-2002, 04:06 PM

I have crossed Nehalem a number of times with Lou Shinen. It can be dicey, and no babysitter is there, so you best have your wits and know the tides and weather prediction.

But it's not THAT bad. Just narrow. All mistakes will be paid in full.
KB

pkg40 · 11-13-2002, 09:45 PM

Hmmm Bar crossings on the Oregon Coast. If you are going to be killed while fishing this is where it is most likely to happen. Before you go, make sure you have studied the Site listed above and followed its recommendations to a T. Be familiar with the proper procedures for Bar crossing in general (see chapmans). Don't expect the coast guard to keep you from being stupid. Just because you crossed the bar once (or twice or three times ...) and it was cake, doesn;t mean it is always that way. Never cross any of the bars on a falling tide before you know the area very well. Never , never cross at maximum ebb current. Some bars should never be crossed with any ebb current (Nehalem for example). If you run into trouble on the way out, do not attempt to turn around in the breakers.

Oh yeh ... Have fun and wear your PFD ;&gt

Chum King · 11-13-2002, 11:20 PM

I would have to agree that the better ports for getting in and out of are generally from Newport south. In my opinion, the three best locations are Brookings, Newport, and Charleston (Coos Bay) in that order. I also like Depoe Bay, but you can't be claustrophobic since you have to go through that little hole in the rocks. I also like beach launching at Pacific City, but you need a flat bottomed boat and a towing rig that you are willing to take out onto the beach.

As for the rumour about the northern ports being less user friendly, I would say that it is generally true. The only ports that really provide a reliable crossing on a regular basis are at Tillamook Bay and the Columbia. Tillamook can be easy to cross at the right times, but has a nasty reputation for sneaker waves. As for the Columbia, it is really big water and a totally different crossing environment than any of the other ports.

Miss B Haven's evaluation is right on the mark for the Columbia, except I would add even more emphasis to the current issue. It seems that you are just trolling along and the next thing you know you are all the way down off Tillamook Head with a very long run back up the hill (make sure you have extra fuel). The other issue that has always bothered me on the Columbia is the volume of shipping traffic. Definitely a reason to make sure you have the radar as MBH suggests.

Since I don't want to make it sound like it is only the North Coast with the dangerous bars, I thought I'd point out that there are also several other risky bar crossings to the south. Florence, Bandon, and Gold Beach are all notoriously finicky crossings. The Winchester Bay bar also "cops an attitude" on a regular basis.

Myles - good link that you posted. I would concur that it is a bit on the scary side, but it lays it all on the line. Nice to be a bit scared but have all the information ahead of time so you can make the right decisions.

Lepper · 11-14-2002, 06:58 PM

living down here in bandon I would have to say it can get pretty nasty... I have come back in being chased by 10-15 ft breakers. But we made it safelty in.... Just make sure you know what the weather is.. And that you KNOW how to handle the boat and what to do when. That will save your life. Bandon bar can kick up in under 10 m in.. Just be safe and use co mmon sense..... I have turned around many times after sitting there watchign the bar for 30 min.....

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