Marine Pacific City Fishing Reports

Aervax
Aervax
I am usually an inland angler on the Deschutes and John Day this time of year. My honey and I have a Dory trip booked with Grant Rillette out of Pacific City on August 19. We want to do some kayak fishing and crabbing in calm safe water the day before and after. Regulars on coastal rivers, would you hit the Nestucca, or Salmon River, or other? Tidewater? Salmon, steel, or cutties? Any decent crabbing in tidewater then? I am more than happy to reciprocate with info if/when you come my direction as well. PM if we are exchanging secrets. Haha.
 
Irishrover
Irishrover
If you are going out of Pacific City, Nestucca would be a good choice for crabs and clams. Seems a bit early for the salmon to be coming into the river. Check the tides for clams.

For dinner you might want to check out the River House. Had some fine meals there.

Here is a link to the ODF&W map for crabs and clamming in Nestucca Bay.

http://myodfw.com/sites/default/files/2018-02/Nestucca_Clams_Final.pdf
 
P
pinstriper
Had a good lunch at the Oar House, right across the street from the River House.

The kayak store across the road has a ramp you can pay a few bucks for and launch in tidewater. This is skinny water, and depth at low tide can be under 3’ in the channel, so launch at low tide and head upriver.
 
Aervax
Aervax
Awesome info you guys. Thank you! Eats are always high on our list, too. You are reading my mind.
 
C_Run
C_Run
Cutthroat are definitely a possibility there.
 
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Aervax
Aervax
@Irishrover
@pinstriper
Many thanks again gents for the food suggestions and fishing ideas for Pacific City. My honey and I had an amazing trip together. Nothing like great food and long walks on the beach to make my lady happy, and both of us catching lots of fish and crabs to make me happy.

Mary chose the River House you recommended for our first night in town. Pan fried oysters, perfect. Fresh seared tuna, perfect. Paella, perfect. Bread pudding and coffee, perfect. It was good enough that it exceeded expectations. We'll definitely be going back there again.

We tried to get to the Oar House for lunch on day 2, but they didn't open until 3 that day. The place was packed the night before, which is a worthy sign. We'll hit it first on our next trip to the coast.
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rogerdodger
rogerdodger
Excellent, you had me at "both of us catching lots of fish and crabs"....
 
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Irishrover
Irishrover
Glad you enjoyed it, and found fish and crabs. That food looks awesome, I can darn near smell it!
 
P
pinstriper
So what did you fish for, and where ?
 
hobster
hobster
Sounds like a relaxing and enjoyable trip. Glad you had some luck
 
Aervax
Aervax
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The main entree for our coast trip was a Dory outing for bottom fish and crab with guide, Grant Rilete. Grant is a first class professional based on the few times I've fished with him. This was another successful trip with him.

Mary got her first rock bass right off the bat. OFF SciFly and I contributed a bunch of ling to the communal pot. We both had long tug-o-wars with multiple cabezon, which had to be released of course. I didn't count the rock bass there were so many, but the boat limited out.

Trip highlight was when a second grader trained to fish well by his angling parents hooked a Chinook while casting for rock fish. On a light rod and light tackle it was a thrilling battle to watch. After about 10 minutes the fish wore the kid out first, so he handed the rod to his dad. It took a while, but he landed that 30 pound Chinook on a medium heavy spinning rod with 15 pound leader. Wish I had a pic, but don't.

After limiting on bottom fish we trolled for salmon for an hour or so with 2 takedowns and 1 wild coho released. Crabbing had picked up a little bit by mid August. The haul was about 60 crab divided among 6 passengers. Mary and I took home around 40 pounds of crab, 10 pounds of Chinook, 10 pounds of ling, and 10 pounds of rock bass. I'm going to need another freezer.

For SRC the following day I was planning to launch kayaks on the lower Nestucca. However, the number of boats already on the water dissuaded me. We took our first trip on the Little Nestucca instead. It was a bust for SRC, but a win on solitude, exercise and natural beauty.

Like a culinary Pied Piper, on the way home SciFly persuaded us with tales of magical food to meet him at Gerry Frank's Konditorei in Salem for dinner. Dear god was that the right choice. Fun atmosphere, great food, and the most amazing cakes you've ever tasted. I'd never heard of "Black Forest Cherry Mousse Cake" before, but after eating it I'll never forget it.
 
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Irishrover
Irishrover
Awesome post. It was a trip off the beach in a dory with my two sons and wife years ago that that set the hook in me to fish the ocean. Just as mentioned in the post it was a day of sea bass, salmon and crabs all in a Dory launched from Cape Kiwanda at Pacific City. Didn't get to have any fine cake though.
 
P
pinstriper
Great report, great day !
 
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