The less wind the better but 10-15 knot winds is doable for me. If the winds pick up even more while you are out watch out for the circus at the boat ramp when everyone is trying to trailer their boat. 6 foot swells are doable, but not comfortable. You have to also watch out for those sneakers waves that come across the reefs. Not as bad as up in Tillamook. I am a glutton for punishment, so I don't care the direction of the wind. Others will chime in and explain the wind more. You want to try to avoid coming or going across the bar at low tide, really bumpy at the jaws. You do want to watch out for those severe negative low tides, they are brutal, a lot of the times during that time the CG will restrict the bar. Have fun and be careful out there.

 

What Dave said.

Your boat is big enough that come spring and summer you can go 50% of the time. Start close and pick your days, and before you will be comfortable with any of the inside halibut.

Summer is pretty predictable, go out early and when the drift picks up from the NW wind, you can be back inside in 20 minutes.....
But you should have all the fish you want in the 5 hours.

Some days there be no wind, but a left over lump from yesterday’s wind, or winds still blowing off shore, good puking days.

As far as picking wave height as a guideline, kind of hard to do...6 ft with a good period is plenty nice. I have turned around on some of the 4 ft wash tub waves, not because of the fear of swamping, but just because I can’t get up and run like I want, and I like to sit on the side of the boat and dangle my feet off.

Your never alone on most fishable days, just follow the string of boats, they usually know when to skirt down the side of the channel and pop around the south jettty if the current is running out very hard, or you can go straight down the middle and slop it out for another quarter of a mile that you didn’t need too.

Plenty of good folks on here that will gladly let you follow along, just put up a post, your always welcome to follow me if I am fishing that day.

Once you get out there you will find there are lots of boats smaller than your 20 foot one.

 

Thanks! I was out in the bay last week and noticed that quite a few smaller boats had done well offshore just a few miles South. I would like to try this, but would feel more comfortable with someone to follow o my first go at it.



20ft boat... but a dingy sized confidence level!

 

Awesome question and great info. I’m right there with you. I have a 19’ cc trophy and am always skeptical about going past the bar. Planning on going out this Sunday in either coos bay or newport

 

First off, you’re looking at the right bar to cross. It’s well-maintained/dredged and on sketchy days, is more crossable than Tillamook Bay up north.

A 6’ swell @ 8 seconds is pretty much my shut-off point for the open ocean - not for fear of life & limb, but for comfort. Add a 6kn wind and it pretty much seals the deal
for me. With those conditions, the bar might be unrestricted and easy to cross on an incoming or high slack tide, but could be restricted on the outgoing tide. Depending on wind direction, it could be a slow, uncomfortable ride back to port. For me, it’s not worth the 2 hr drive from Ptld.

Also, there will be beautiful, bluebird days with not a breath of wind and a lazy 7’ swell at 14 seconds that are very comfortable to both cross the bar and to fish on. But then you hear the CG call out a warning of a 40’ restriction starting in a couple hours. That’s because you have an 8-9’ tide swing fixing to turn around and rip out. You wanna pay attention to that CG warning and get back to port. Better yet - be aware of the tide swing before heading out and just plan accordingly.

If you live fairly close by and are able to bug out of work during the week, There will be plenty of lazy days out there to have a great time, catch lots of fish and never need to worry about your bar crossing.

Get yourself set up with smartphone apps for USCG bar reports, NOAA forecasts, Windy, Windfinder, Magic Seaweed, etc.. Learn to cross reference and compare them (they all use different forecasting models) and after 10 trips out, you’ll already have a good idea of what all the numbers look like in real life and what you are comfortable with.

Good luck out there and be safe!

 

nwpilot, you've asked a very big and very important question, and received some excellent advice. There are actually 5 separate factors to consider when making the go nor no-go decision.
1. Bar crossing outbound, with consideration for tide
2. Bar crossing on the return trip, when the tide will be different
3. Sea conditions past the bar, meaning wind and swell
4. Visibility, meaning will there be fog
5. Forecast trend - are the forecasted conditions trending worse or better as the day wears on

Speaking VERY generally, it isn't as much fun out there once the wind reaches 12 knots. At that point, whitecaps are forming, the drift is too fast for bottom fishing, and some of your inexperienced crew might be a little nervous. At 15 knots of wind it's fishable, but unpleasant.

Above 15 knots most folk will wish they were home.

As for swell, 4 feet and under is great. Six feet is generally a no-go for me. It's not just the bar, but the potential of unexpected wind blowing up on a six foot swell and making a nasty sea. Five feet is the gray zone which is probably a go, but could be a no-go if high winds are forecasted.

Fog in the forecast should give you pause, regardless of wind and swell forecasts.
And make sure you look at the wind and swell forcasts for the evening of your return and into the next morning. If the trend is for worse conditions, consider that those conditions can easily arrive a few hours earlier than forecasted. Or, your return could be delayed for any number of reasons.

As for the bar itself, that's a whole other set of considerations. I just wanted to give you the big picture.

 

The bar condition will depend on swell and wind but tide is a huge part of how it can look. The difference between high tide and low tide is called "exchange". In Newport you'll see somewhere between 12 feet and near zero feet exchange. You will want to know the exchange and high/low tide times.

In a small boat you'll want to keep an eye on the tide and if it is much exchange with swell of any size then come in around high tide.

My last bit of advice - head into the wind on your way out so that when you want to run back in the trip is quick. Beating into wind waves after the wind picks up is slow going. Arriving at the bar late, after the tide starts going out, would be less fun.

Good luck!

 

:applause: Tinman, how the hell do we forget to mention the fog in these discussions.

Fog sucks, today’s GPS has made a world of difference but it is still a bit unnerving at times, especially when your in the channel and can’t see either jetty.... and then throw in the dredge at times, you can see the prop wash but not the dredge.

If you know the south jetty you can just follow it, AS long as you know where the f8nger jetties are, or just find the north follow it back.

As kids we would take my Dads dory to the pile with just a compass and a flashing Fathometer, fish all day and then find home in the fog.

My Dad always said just make sure your south of Newport, hit the beach and go north till you run into the jetty, always worked but sometimes we were way more south than we wanted to be, and soaked in a open flat bottom dory slugging into the Nwer.

God, am I to old for that now....

 

:applause: Tinman, how the hell do we forget to mention the fog in these discussions.

As kids we would take my Dads dory to the pile with just a compass and a flashing Fathometer, fish all day and then find home in the fog.

My Dad always said just make sure your south of Newport, hit the beach and go north till you run into the jetty, always worked but sometimes we were way more south than we wanted to be...

That's a great fog trick that is, unfortunately, fading from the standard captain's skill set. But it's worth remembering in a pinch.

 

If your going bottom fishing out of Newport, your probably heading south. Beware of the south reef, which you will pass over if you turn south immediately after crossing the bar. In some conditions, you will see breakers on the south reef, not a good surprise if your not aware of it. On a flat day, it’s no problem, but the issue lurks.

A good habit is to always go outside of the #1 gong before heading south or when coming in from the south. That will keep you from crossing directly across the shallowest portion of the south reef.

 

Yes yes yes, definitely get away from the tips of the jetties before heading north or south. The reef to the north and south of the jetty is very shallow. In any kind of swell you are just asking for it if you go over those locations. Every now and then a statistically large wave will come in and break on those. We're talking as little as 6 feet deep in spots depending on the tide.

 

I have been crossing that bar for 60 years. Depth outside south jetty is 60' plus. The shallow reef that should scare anyone is a bit offshore and easy to pass shoreward in 30' of water. Most charters take this route regularly. You have to know the water though. If unsure turn after the can.

 

A 20 ft. boat, new to the area and wanting to fish outside. Gotta Love IT, right?

Until you get familiar with the crossing at Newport, (which is normally great) wait for a day with a 2 & 4 prediction. Remember, you can leave when it's sweet water... and come home to a "White Knuckle" return crossing.
Enjoy the area... Be Safe.
mte

 

Newport is a fine bar to cross most of the time. It's a nice short run to the ocean. If you want to check it out go up to the Lighthouse State Park by the North end of the bridge. From there you get a great view of the jaws and the bar. Watch a few boats coming and going.


The coast guard is good about running the ruff bar sign by the bridge and hoisting the red flag for the small craft advisory. Check over by the Coast Guard station for the flag.


I'm not fond of a southern wind blowing into NW/N swells that can make for a undesirable experience. So check the winds.


As mentioned fog can drop in and it can be thick. A well adjusted radar is nice to have on those occasions.


Newport is a great place to enjoy the ocean, just remember there are no fish in Newport!

 

My good to go conditions are under 5 foot swell, over 10 second interval and winds under 10 knots (the more under the better). As you go down the center of the channel leaving the bay, put in a couple of "bread crumb" waypoints in your GPS, the biggie being the center of the jaws, but put in one for the green can which is east of the jaws in the channel. Those two will get you home in the fog. I also have one for the first can outside. Returning in the fog, I go to the "can", then go to the "jaws", then go to the "channel can". When returning in the fog, you should never be in significantly less than 40 feet of water, if it gets shallower than that, you may have a problem. If that problem is you're on the wrong side of the jetty, it's a big problem, turn around and head west.


Fishweather.com is a great website for predictions, as is NOAA data buoy 46050


Don't mistake a small river (Yaquina) for a small bay, Yaquina bay is a big area and a lot of water moves in and out with large tidal changes. Always best to come in on or near slack tides, but because the channel is so well maintained here, it's rare to have a problem in the above conditions regardless of tidal influence..

 

The Puffin rule is, if the coast guard says we can go, than we go, but he was much younger when he made that rule. It depends on comfort level, experience, age, & how bad you want it, we used to go out in any combination of swell, & wind waves up to 10' regardless of wind speed, & direction...if the CG said we could, & that was in a 19' river boat, now with a 23' boat, 7' or under combination with winds under 15kts is reasonable, even less with a wind direction of S or SW in the forecast, I plan on picking my days even more carefully this year.

 

I've been waiting and I think that conditions are right for me to do a bar crossing this weekend. Sat High@ 8:52am/ Low@ 3:56pm with a 7'3" exchange. Light winds coming out of the NW switching to NE by afternoon. Swell 4'/ 14' period. Sun High@ 9:54am/ Low@4:42pm with a 7'3" exchange. Light wind coming out of the S-SW. Swell 3-4'/ 20-23 period. A little windier on Mon, but no big weather system impending.


So, I plan on crossing @ 8:00 am and returning sometime between 3pm-5pm Sat; Crossing at 9:00am and return 4-5:00pm on Sun.


Question: If I decide that I wish to return early, with the conditions described above, what is the "reasonable window" to return around low tide? 1 hour prior to low slack? Or, 2 hours? Thanks!

 

Hola,
Saturday looks pretty doable for you.
A couple of other sites don't look quite as good as your post, magic seaweed maybe?
Windyty shows 5' @ 11 seconds and the wind picking up to 10 knots around noon.
Still not that bad, for me Saturday is a "eh" day for bottom fishing.
Sunday looks much better for you.

They are just forecasts. Actual conditions maybe a tad different.
They can also change a bunch between now and this weekend.
Both days are definitely worth a look see in my book.

I wish I could get out! Family & friends coming to town this weekend.
The NON-Fishing kindalm:

If you go...good luck & be safe.
I hope you catch all you want:flag2:

 

Great thread!

 

Coming back is a lot easier than heading out. Just climb up on the back of a swell and ride it in - but never go over the top. When it washes out you're home free.

 

what are reasonable bar conditions for newport?

This weekend, the 30th...

Saturday
ESE wind 5 to 7 kt becoming variable and less than 5 kt in the morning. Mostly sunny. WNW swell 5 ft. Wind waves around 1 ft.

2019-03-30 Sat 03:08 AM PDT 3.58 feet Low Tide 2019-03-30 Sat 04:40 AM PDT Moonrise 2019-03-30 Sat 07:01 AM PDT Sunrise 2019-03-30 Sat 08:42 AM PDT 6.38 feet High Tide 2019-03-30 Sat 02:13 PM PDT Moonset 2019-03-30 Sat 03:53 PM PDT 0.68 feet Low Tide


At least we're going to finally get out after the long winter break...

 

I made it! ...and what a rush!! Both Saturday and Sunday were 3-5' days, light wind, I picked the tides and got out and caught some fish at Seal Rock!


I suppose this is like anything that you try that is new to you. I think it's a lot like soloing your first take-off and landing in an airplane. No matter how much you've studied, there is always some new circumstance (wind gust, electronic unfamiliarity,etc) that jumps out at you.


For me, it was unexpected to get the combination of wave action; I was expecting the swell coming out of the SW that would lift and twist you, but not the short 3' current chop that occurred randomly in the channel like playing "whack-a-mole" and the most unexpected were the short period wind waves coming from the NW at 45 degrees to the swell. While an easy thing for all you who are experienced, I kinda thought I might die a few times ray: . Coming back in was rougher, but way easier. I did have trouble figuring out if the bar was still "unrestricted" (of course it was). I thought the Coast Guard would be broadcasting over the radio, but they didn't. I thought about calling, but realized that I didn't even know the correct way to ask for a "bar report", as I'd never called anyone on it. I hung out at the Green Buoy and got beat up awhile and then followed someone in. I must say, it was a lot easier running back in than going out.


Thanks all for the advise. It really helped my confidence. :flag2:

 

I made it! ...and what a rush!! Both Saturday and Sunday were 3-5' days, light wind, I picked the tides and got out and caught some fish at Seal Rock!

...For me, it was unexpected to get the combination of wave action; I was expecting the swell coming out of the SW that would lift and twist you, but not the short 3' current chop that occurred randomly in the channel like playing "whack-a-mole" and the most unexpected were the short period wind waves coming from the NW at 45 degrees to the swell. While an easy thing for all you who are experienced, I kinda thought I might die a few times ray: . Coming back in was rougher, but way easier. I did have trouble figuring out if the bar was still "unrestricted" (of course it was). I thought the Coast Guard would be broadcasting over the radio, but they didn't. I thought about calling, but realized that I didn't even know the correct way to ask for a "bar report", as I'd never called anyone on it. I hung out at the Green Buoy and got beat up awhile and then followed someone in. I must say, it was a lot easier running back in than going out.


Thanks all for the advise. It really helped my confidence. :flag2:

Congratulations! Yeah, there several things that make for rough water between the jetties and on the bar. One is wave reflections. Waves and boat wakes bounce right off the jetties and head back out. The reflected waves then cross over the channel and bounce again off the opposite jetty. Throw in a few fresh boat wakes, the main swell and some wind chop and you have a fine mess of waves colliding and slopping all over each other.

 

Set your VHF to scan 16 & 22A and you'll get bar reports. Not sure what Newport uses for chat but add it to the scan list as well.

 

Smart phone-Bookmark this page https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/marine/BarObs.php

Always check the date and time of the bar report. It’s usually updated but technology can have issues.

Radio- “Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay, this is recreational boat [name of boat] on 16 requesting a bar report”

They will respond “Rec boat please switch to 22”

You switch to 22 and can say “rec boat [name of boat] standing by on 22 for a bar report.

They give bar report.

You say- thank you, rec boat [name if boat] will be standing by on channel 16.


One other tip on the wave action- new people to the ocean tend to struggle to get a feel for the headway they are making and tend to run harder than needed. Have your speed displayed somewhere easy to see it. Over time you’ll get a good feel for comfortable speeds and when it’s tougher can rely on that to overcome the feeling you aren’t making headway.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Basic rule of thumb at Newport is get her done by one there will be wind in the afternoon bar crossings are generally not a problem pay attention

 

Good thread!

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Everyone has a different threshold for wave height and swell but there are lots of days in the summer when it’s really not a factor. As others have pointed out, wind above 12-15 knots is generally no fun in a smaller boat. The biggest factor by far for me is tide exchange. Generally speaking, you want to avoid crossing the bar in either direction on a large exchange ebb tide, especially the second half of the tide.