Nehalem area info?

My family and I will be camping at the state park in Nehalem during the middle of July.  I have read most of the posts here about Nehalem and it seems that all mention of this area refers to salmon or crabs.  My interest would be rockfish/lings.  Are there any good launch/fishing areas nearby? 

There didn't seem to be much structure in the immediate vicinity based on google satellite pics.  I saw devil's cauldron to the north.  Is that the spot with the hellish stairs? 

I may buy some crab rings to pass the time, but if anyone has some info or would like to meet up for a morning or two of fishing, let me know.  Thanks!

Nehalem Bay is our family's favorite campground.  You'll have a great time there.  The problem with fishing there is the access.  The boat ramp at the campground on the Nehalem river is a great ramp.  But it's a good long way from the jaws of the river where bottom fish are going to hang out.  If you tried that, plan to use the tide's to your favor to get you there and back.  The tidal currents in that river mouth can be wicked and fighting them would not be fun.  Launching anywhere else in the park is going to mean hauling your yak over alot of sand. 

If it were me, I would just get up early one morning and drive to a good beach launch site like Pacific City.  Fish early and be back by lunch.  Or just stick to crabbing in the Nehalem.

Have a great time.

I've done it from the public launch in Wheeler, Nehalem, and the St. Park.

It's a couple of miles, but if you work the tide/wind and can paddle 6 miles round trip, it's a nice paddle. The bay itself is pretty mellow, but the closer you get to the jaws, the more current you will experience. I'd check for current predictions at the jaws in addition to tides & weather & time your route accordingly.

If you left the park I'd paddle down 30 minutes before low slack, fish for 1-2 hours and ride the incoming back to camp. Watch out for current lines, and keep an eye on the wind. current and wind in same direction= smooth and fast water. current and wind in opposite directions=slower, lumpier water.

I'd carry a VHF and watch out for boats coming in and out & never turn your back on the ocean.

J

There are lots of offshore seastacks both north and south of there.  Also, Oswald West State park (Cape Falcon) has some good structure if you don't mind wheeling your yak over a half mile up and down the trail.

Fish early or find a good sheltering headland.  The Oregon coast is notorious for summertime north winds.  It'll be dead calm at dawn and blowing 25kts in the afternoon.  

-Spot-