Anyone experienced fishing on the coast?

 Ok, so after researching what I could and gathering the gear I figured I could make due with, I headed to ocean shores this past Sunday to try my hand at surf launching and re-entry (with my fishing gear left on the beach in the truck). The marine forecast looked tolerable based off what I know but each spot I tried had a main breaker over 4' and churning so much sand it was brown, base to crest. It was mostly in front of the ocean city beach, not the actual beach you drive out to from going through town (Ocean Shores main strip). Is this a bad place to have tried my first surf launch in my PA? I'm not afraid of getting turned over and know how to recover myself but it wasn't like any videos I'd seen and seemed a lot worse actually out there. Any better places to launch and get out after some salmon on the coast for a newb or anyone going out this coming Sunday that wouldn't mind pairing up and giving some pointers to help me along? I'm offering driving and lunch! Lol, I'd even drive up to neah bay if somebody were familiar with the area.

Yeah man, Ocean Shores is always a challenging launch unless it's really calm (say 3 feet at 10+ seconds or calmer) you'll have a tough time launching a PA there.  Myself and a few others have launched there many times for salmon, but with Revo13s, 16s, an outback, and once with an Oasis on a rather large and foggy day. 

That PA isn't the best vessel for a beach launch, but once you're out there start trolling in 15 to 20 feet of water (just be well past the breakers) and sometimes you'll have to go way out to get fish.  I've gone 8 miles out before from Ocean Shores. 

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Thanks Lee! I was hoping I'd get some response before the 100th view. Hey I hope you  also got my reply on either vikingttt's or my own intro offering to lend a craft or 3 to one of your hero events. I've got odd days off but if i know enough ahead of time I'd be proud to help out.
8 miles, that's incredible! I'd try that a day with others but not solo like this weekend. I was wondering about the little bay near the jetty there but was too bummed by my defeat to drive down there in my wetsuit to check. The PA is a beast for sure and sadly the stair stepper motion of the mirage drive is making me look at the bicycle style pedal drive Yaks now. Easier on the knees.
Is there any bay or harbor you'd recommend that's ordinarily a little calmer or do I just need to suck it up and go till I figure it out, Lol

A launch on the bay side of the south jetty in Westport will get you out there a lot easier. Google map it and you can see the cove i use.

If you launch from the jetty, don't do it during the outgoing tide.

Shoot a pm to islandson76 about HOW volunteering, there is also a FB page "Events & Updates HOW NWest".  Dino and I are actually located close to you. (The greater Graham/Spanaway jigsaw puzzle township)

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A launch on the bay side of the south jetty in Westport will get you out there a lot easier. Google map it and you can see the cove i use.

Local33stagehand you're meaning crescent bay or half moon bay there at the base of the south jetty right?  can't remember it's name. I've launched my ascend there and that's what prompted me getting a hobie  not a successful trip either but that was a horrible idea. I tend to pick up a lot from trial and error and that went in the minus column! It was much more manageable to get out though. I'll try that next time I think.
Thanks Lee I'll do that. Think I'm following the wrong page cause I get stuff for Texas and all over on Facebook. Glad it's national though!

  Why wouldn't you want to launch during an out-going tide Lee ?

  I've found that if you put in at the bottom of an out flow --- you can let the tide carry you out near the end of the jetty(better fishing) easier than fighting an in- coming tide and the battle that can be. Then let the incoming tide help work you back to your launch site at Half Moon Bay as you fish your way back in.

  I always try to work with the tides rather than against them. And that is true for anywhere on the coast or any tidally influenced water I fish. And I've fished a few.

  Paddle Ninja---- you might be well advised to look a little farther south, @ Willapa Bay. You can put in at the Tokeland marina (2 lane cement) head south about 300 yards and be fishing for some of those big Willapa Kings. No surf launch for your PA , bait store at marina, and an RV park there too. Do some research and look at some maps--- then MAKE IT HAPPEN.
   There have been a few boats fishing out there lately but I don't have a hot report for you. Probably hit or miss for now. That is fishing.

   One thing about fishing Willapa Bay--- it gets very weedy. You may need to check your bait every 15 minutes or sooner sometimes. Put a T ahead of your leader if bait fishing to catch some of the weeds. Or fish spinners. Still a good idea to put something ahead of your offering to reduce the grass accumulation. Even a small(ish) banana weight can work.
   A lot of power boats run out towards Washaway  Beach to fish. It is a long way by kayak and not even needed . Kings dip in and out of the bay til they feel the urge to go up-river. And that will be true for the next several months. But this will give you a viable alternative considering your boat and lack of knowledge.

Launching at the end of an outgoing tide is a good idea, but not in the middle of it. 

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 Thanks Mark for the advice on the south jetty. I've had much better luck when fishing off the jetty farther out too so from the water the same makes sense. I've wanted to give Wilapa a shot for a few years now but I always  hear about how shallow it is and my boat is an inboard/outdrive so i never wanted to chance it. But now that I have a better kayak for good distances, that will be something I give a try. I'm very accustomed to weeds and grass while trolling. I like the little cones that sit above your first swivel so far. Guess those might be the tee's you mention. I was thinking alphabet, not golf Lol. If there's a time you're looking to paddle out there and wouldn't mind a tag along let me know. I've only just been getting my brother into kayaking and my Yak fishing buddies number is just up to 2 currently.