Hire fishing guide Tanner Ketterling to take you guys out. You will catch salmon, and learn more about fishing the Nestucca tide water in a single day than in several years of DIY trips.

My childhood pal had never caught a salmon. I hired Tanner Ketterling to take us out on the Nestucca 2 weeks ago. He caught his first salmon ever, a 20 pound Chinook, and caught it on a fly rod! The next day we caught several more trolling with him

 

Easier bays to crab in than the Nestucca. Taking a drift boat down towards the mouth is tricky and not safe. Fish with the masses at the airport hole or drop your boat in at woods and try your luck. A few years ago we were fishing the woods area and most folks were not having any luck, a very slow day. We were in a friends drift boat and he couldn't get the motor started so we went for oaring the boat. We put out our kwikfish (wrapped) and had a fish on in the first few pulls. Landed that one and then it was my friends turn, landed that one. We ended with 2 nice chinooks. On the way home we stopped by the store in Hebo the talk in the store was that they had only have heard of 2 caught. My claim to fame.

 

I’ve only fished it a few times but we launched over at the public boat launch there south of town and just trolled up river a ways then back down to the first bridge nearest the boat launch. 360s and a spinner were the gear of choice. Gets real skinny right near the launch so check the tides before you go.

 

With a Drift boat or any low powered boat STAY away from the Jaws on out going tide.

 

Dont go within a 1/4 mile of the bay entrance during peak ebb tides. Small boats with small motors have been sunk there many times.

 

I’m very comfortable and know my drift boats limits along with hazards of the ocean. I used to run my bigger boat on halibut salmon and tuna before I sold it.

 

No, the point is the bay that goes into the ocean is not protected. You’ll get sucked right out with a strong ebb. And you’re not gonna keep a drift upright in the waves that are there. I would not take my drift boat down there and I’ve been down there many times if you wanna see what it looks like walk down the beach from Haystack and you can put your eyes on it

 

Pretty gentle tides on Sat and Sunday, but I wouldn’t be caught at the mouth with a well running kicker as well as anchor with plenty of chain. The slot is short and narrow and there are usually guide boats, locals and Googans there and it can quickly turn into a mess. As already mentioned, you probably have a better shot at salmon from the guardrail up above the woods bridge.

 

I used to fish the mouth in a 16ft drift boat with a 6 hp outboard a lot. Yes it can get dicey but for the most part if was fine. I'd fish both the incoming and out going tides. It's been a few years since I've been out there so I dont know how it has changed. If you did want to put your eyes on it, it would be a shorter hike from the winema beach access area. Herring is the way to go in the mouth. Good luck!

 

What are your thoughts on fishing from the bank at the jaws on the north beach? Thinking about taking my Wrangler for a drive over there.