Siletz Bay

Big Smizz · 08-19-2002, 08:14 AM

I have a 21' Wellcraft and am having the itch to start pursuing some fall chinook. I here that they are starting to be caught in the Siletz Bay. Is anybody famililar with this bay? Does it lend itself to navigation by a boat of my size? If so, where do you put in? Has anyone had success fishing this bay for the fall 'nooks? Thanks a lot for the help.

Salmonator · 08-19-2002, 08:25 AM

the navigation part isn't too bad (except when you get into the bay near the mouth). The biggest problem is launching a boat that big. None of the ramps make it easy to launch a boat much bigger than 18' but it can be done.

Grits · 08-19-2002, 05:37 PM

The guy who owns the boat ramp under 101 always tells me not to fish the bay. He says the fish blow through and you should really fish the river starting at his place on up. I see people fish the bay so I know they do it. (Maybe he is saving the best fishing area for himself)

Ditto on Salmonator's remarks on launching. You may have to launch later in the tide.

You should also search "Siletz" in the archives. I know there is some information on the board somewhere about fishing the Siletz.

Salmonator · 08-19-2002, 05:44 PM

That guy's probably right as far as the fish blowing through. Most of the bay is super shallow but if I remember right is pretty deep just inside the mouth.

TheRogue · 08-19-2002, 05:48 PM

You can launch that large of a boat at Siletz Moorage....but I'd find another bay, first. Don't even attempt it further up a Coyote Rock. Low tides can almost restrict an 18 foot sled (personal experience talkin)

I agree with the lower bay deal, although I bet it could be productive by fishing the incoming right tight to the breakers, on a calmmmmmmmmmmmm day, and have 200 rocks handy, as you will need them to fight off the seals from any fish you hook!!

If you go, I'd stay above 101.

Kyle

crabbait · 08-19-2002, 11:16 PM

Hey, buddy, can ya spare a couple salmon?

These are just a few of the seals at the Siletz haulout. If I posted a picture of the whole crew it would look like specks on the sand. There must be several hundred seals there. I don't know how any fish make it through this gauntlet but I can understand why they don't linger in the bay!