Nehalem Weather

angler_andy · 09-09-2005, 05:02 AM

Thinking of trying Nehalem bay on Saterday. I have crabed there a few times but never tryed fishing. We have a 14 ft. alum.boat with a 9.8 Merc. My question is with the front that is moving in this weekend, what will the bay look like? Will I have trouble with wind? Does it get choppy? With the high price of fuel I don't want to drive all the way down there and then not be able to fish. Thanks in advance for any info.

Andy.

Jennie@ifish · 09-09-2005, 05:19 AM

I rented a boat once when I was 20ish, on N. Bay.
I'll NEVER forget that experience.

There was white caps and 2-3 foot waves and we had one of their little rental boats out in the bay with traps.

I never used to wear a life jacket, but I put one on that day! I was in the bow going up and down with the wakes, and nearly fell over, trying to rescue crab pots.

We kept thinking we should just leave them and save our lives, but they said they'd charge us for them, if we left them and I didn't have the money!

That was one scary day that I'll NEVER forget.

I was young and dumb!

As for this weekend, I just don't know. Nehalem bay can stir up pretty badly. It's raining right now.

Jen

CptCatchem · 09-09-2005, 06:04 AM

Not to discourage you but when the wind blows against the tide it can get really nasty on the bay to such a point where walking on the docks at jetty fishery can be scary. Should be fine when wind blow WITH the tide tho. Its the water between Jetty fishery and wheeler that really roughs up in those conditions. The jaws are normally fishable in the wind however with the weak tide series this coming week (IF) the ocean roughs up there isnt enough tide to push the ocean swell back meaning one could be in for a pretty rough ride there too. Good Luck

Norm · 09-09-2005, 06:20 AM

As stated above, the bay can get choppy if the wind comes up. If the bay is rough forget the crab pots and just put in at hwy 101 and fish the river. Above 101 should not be much a problem since it offers some wind protection.

FastActionRodTip · 09-09-2005, 06:32 AM

with that size boat and motor I suggest trolling herring from Wheeler on up to Nehalem and beyond

GoFish · 09-09-2005, 09:44 AM

Several years ago, we were fishing out of an 18ft Starcraft on Nehalem bay. This boat had a wideshield and a top. By the time we were ready to give it up and run back to the ramp, the chop was so heavy that there was water coming over the bow, over the windshield and over the top, filling the rear of the boat. Those were tougher conditions than we had been seeing at Bouy 10!! Watch out for the wind.

dejawho75 · 09-09-2005, 08:44 PM

You can call Brighton Marina or Wheeler Marina in the morning before you head out and get an update. I think both places open up around 6am ish. I was there today. It showered on and off. The winds were not bad at all all day. But, we could see a huge storm front moving in. Could be a nasty Saturday. Here are the #'s for the Marina's, it might save you gas and a long drive to turn around.
Crabbing is good, but lots of soft shells. We took home over 20 on Monday. Today we worked about an hour with 3 rings and got 6 keepers. 2 over 7.5". But, that was at low tide, so it wasn't hot. Monday, we hit the 2 hours before High Tide and worked 2.5 hours for the 20+ crabs. I think tomorrow's high tide is later in day/evening. You can ask the Marina's. Good luck and be safe.

Brighton: 503-368-5745
Wheeler: 503-368-5780