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Picture Of The Month



SD2OR with a trophy fall walleye

Topic: Tillamook Trifecta - Fish, Clams, Crabs - Trip report 5/1/2021  (Read 3442 times)

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Captain Redbeard

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UPDATE - A video of this day is now available:

Big thanks to Mojo jojo and nobaddays! I would not have been as confident, successful, or safe without their advice.

I saw the mid-day minus tide and low wind for Tillamook Bay last weekend and got this idea that I should try to harvest clams, crabs, and fish all in one day, and then have a seafood feast the next day.

tl;dr It worked - pictures below.

I knew with a little friendly advice I should be able to find some clams, but I haven't had great success this time of year in the bay for crabs, and I didn't feel too confident catching fish at the jetty. I'd been out there once for one of the May Day tournaments (2nd place) but I hadn't been back since. Mrs. Redbeard was down for the challenge which is great because that allowed me to get two crab pots out there easily with the rest of the gear.

We launched with the outgoing tide and headed over to low-tide island first for clams. We've only harvested cockles one other time so this was pretty new to us. We had planned to harvest some gaper clams too, but finding the cockles was so fun we decided to just get our limits of those. As a bonus, you don't have to get filthy dirty to get a limit of cockles!

Then we rode the last of the outgoing tide out to the jetty and dropped our pots. While those were soaking we set about trying to figure out the fishing situation. Keeping it simple worked for us. My best bait of the day was small Gulp "shad" on a 1/2oz. head. I caught about 6 rockfish and only kept the biggest one, which was around 14". The fishfinder helped a bit, but mostly I just read the shoreline and water looking for anything that would disrupt the current.

We didn't end up getting any keeper crabs in that area, and after a short break on the eddy beach we rode the now incoming tide back in, dropped our pots off in a new location, and tried for some perch. No luck there, but we managed 2 keeper crabs on the next pull, and had a good time talking to Casey and Bullfrog, and a couple of other folks whose names I forgot (sorry!). Not long after that we called it a day.

There's two things I loved about this trip: first, it's a great way to harvest a bunch of seafood that I can then enjoy all week. Second, it's a great way to get out saltwater fishing without having to go out in the ocean. If the conditions or your skill set don't allow for it, the bay can be a great option. It's not without its risks: you must be prepared for immersion and learn to safely navigate the tidal exchange so you're not stuck out at the jetty.

We cooked the crab when we got home and processed the clams and fish the next day. For dinner we feasted on clam chowder, fish tacos, and crab. We tried fried cockles but as we were warned they're a bit chewy for that, however, they were excellent in the chowder.
« Last Edit: May 25, 2021, 09:54:32 PM by Captain Redbeard »


Tinker

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I expected the worst, but it was worse than I expected...


rogerdodger

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excellent hat trick! 
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Shin09

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Excellent! I have been wanting to get my TI out there now that I have it back and hopfully do the clam/crab/fish in the morning when wind is low and get some good sailing in the afternoon.

How low of tide is needed to expose the sand bars in the middle of the bay (close to garibaldi/launch)?


Nobaddays

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How low of tide is needed to expose the sand bars in the middle of the bay (close to garibaldi/launch)?

I have only been out there on a minus tide, but I think anywhere around 0 or minus would be ok.  The benefit of a lower minus tide is being able to get out early to clam and still ride the outgoing tide to the fishing/ crabbing area.
Being retired, they pay me when I go fishing, therefore I am kind of a professional fisherman.


Spot

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That's some strong work there Cap'n!

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Mojo Jojo

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Glad it worked out, I’ll try to plan a newbie friendly Tillamook Bay triple catch day once I get a couple things done. Seasoned anglers will be welcome as well.  ;)



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Bullfrog

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It was great to talk with you guys out there!  Well done on your seafood feast!


Captain Redbeard

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It was great to talk with you guys out there!  Well done on your seafood feast!

Thanks! Great to meet you - hope to see you on the water again soon.


Drifter2007

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Well done! Sounds like a great day!
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Captain Redbeard

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Glad it worked out, I’ll try to plan a newbie friendly Tillamook Bay triple catch day once I get a couple things done. Seasoned anglers will be welcome as well.  ;)

End of the month looks like some big minus tides in the mid-morning - nice!


Shin09

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Yeah I am eyeing Memorial Day weekend for being a good day to get out and enjoy the bay.   


Captain Redbeard

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The holiday weekend is shaping up to be a good chance to get out at Tillamook Bay, just watch the wind forecast, dress properly, and don't get outside your skillset.

I made a video of my day that has a few tips on the clamming and fishing and safety:


dampainter

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somebody needs to add a "like" button thing a ma jig. captain redbeard cool video thanks for doing that/sharing.
« Last Edit: May 25, 2021, 11:26:11 PM by dampainter »


Nobaddays

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Great job on the video.  Makes me want to get back out on Tillamook Bay.
Being retired, they pay me when I go fishing, therefore I am kind of a professional fisherman.


 

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