Umpqua and Coos Bay Report 8/20-22

I met up with an old high school buddy and his brother-in-law in Elkton on Thursday night.  One a total yak rookie and the other has been out once.  On the way down, I picked up two rental kayaks that were not ideal - about 10 footers, but they are all that was available and they were only $20 a day.

We launched in the morning and drifted down about 5 miles to Elkton RV park where we camped.  The fishing was ok - we caught about 60 fish between us but nothing big.  We drifted over some real monsters, but I couldn't get them to take my offering.

Saturday morning we fished right below the RV park - don't bother fishing there.  I think it gets hit pretty hard.

We then packed up and headed into Coos Bay.  After getting a spot to camp we drove to the north jetty and launched our kayaks into the bay.  We threw out a crab pot and fished the south side of the jetty until dusk-about 3-4 hours.  I caught a nice greenling, an undersized ling and a rockfish or two.  The yak rookie had the hot rod.  He caught a half dozen rockfish.  As it started to get dark, we pulled the pot (one keeper) and headed in.

Our primary mission this weekend was to fish Sunset Bay.  I have been visiting the park for several years with my wife (a North Bend local) but I never had a yak with me.  We launched in the dark, dropped a crab pot, and paddled out to the end of the long rock that extends on the North side.  The ocean was like a washing machine - swell coming from all angles.  I was a bit uncomfortable, so I know my two buddies weren't enjoying it too much.  We came back in and fished the kelp on the North side - nada.  I took off exploring and managed a nice 4 lb black rockfish on the South side of the protected area.  Caught a little greenling too.  We called it at about 10:00.  One keeper crab.  Not the devastation I was hoping to unleash.  Oh well.

My buddy will hopefully send me some pics I can add soon.

Cool man,thanks for the report, sounds like a good time. Sorry i missed ya.