Launching at Tillamook Bay

I am heading to Tillamook Bay Sunday morning to do some scouting and fishing. I have fished the bay in a boat a couple times and understand how quickly things can change. I was planning on fishing near Bay City and hoped to launch somewhere near the oyster house since the idea of pedaling my Outback from Garibaldi is not appealing. It would also allow me to get back to shore if things get dangerous. I am going into this a little blind and naive (hence the scouting comment) but I am meeting a friend with a boat and the tide is incoming by late morning. I searched the site and wasn't able to find much on the bay so if anyone has general tips they are willing to share I would appreciate it.

I was looking at the tides for Saturday, and it's nearly an 8 foot swing either way.  There are five rivers that spill into Tilly bay and with the extreme tidal swing, and the front coming in on the weekend, it could be sporty. Be safe and have all safety gear and proper emersion gear in use.

You can park at the oyster house and use the dirt/mud ramp behind the building.  It's not ideal, but I've done it a few times.  Just ask the folks at the sales counter.  They're always pretty cool about things.  And yeah, it's gonna be sporty for sure.  Be safe...

Thanks for the info - sorry for the late reply but I am still figuring out the site. My partners bailed so I opted for the Willamette - see my anchor posting. Planning on another trip later in the month. My goal is sturgeon. I have a map showing the holes on the west/south channel below crab harbor. In theory I should be able to launch near Cape Meares lake, at the end of the dike road. A bit of a hike pulling they yak, but I would try to catch the last couple hours of the outgoing tide, fish through the slack and then come in with the tide - all in theory of course. I want to fish for shallow water sturgeon which is why I am looking at Tillamook. I also understand that there are some opportunities near Astoria in May or June. Again, thanks for the info and I will post what I find.

Thanks for the info - sorry for the late reply but I am still figuring out the site. My partners bailed so I opted for the Willamette - see my anchor posting. Planning on another trip later in the month. My goal is sturgeon. I have a map showing the holes on the west/south channel below crab harbor. In theory I should be able to launch near Cape Meares lake, at the end of the dike road. A bit of a hike pulling they yak, but I would try to catch the last couple hours of the outgoing tide, fish through the slack and then come in with the tide - all in theory of course. I want to fish for shallow water sturgeon which is why I am looking at Tillamook. I also understand that there are some opportunities near Astoria in May or June. Again, thanks for the info and I will post what I find.

I've tried the launch you are considering off Cape Mears dike road and its a MUD FEST if the tide is out at all.

Thanks. I was wondering about that. Did you try it at minus tide or a shallow low tide? I have read the fishing is better during the zero or minus tides but if you cannot get to water, or are too exhausted, it's a waste of time or, even worse, dangerous.

I was out at T-Bay on Friday.  I like launching right near the coast guard station in Garibaldi.  You have to carry your yak and your gear about 30 ft. and down a little rocky patch, but it's a pretty easy situation.  Plus launching next to the CG station gives me a warm fuzzy safety feeling.   

Did you get bit, RF???

Did you get bit, RF???

Yes, small bites though.   

Do you use a cart to transport your kayak those 30 feet? I had to develop a weight lifting program to carry my Outback more than 15 feet - dry of course. I currently use the clean and jerk method but I am working up to a full power lift. Sorry, I digress  (I need to start a discussion on how best to get the Outback on my scupper cart). Do you fish the incoming or outgoing tide by the station? I fished that area in my sled last year - caught a nice king - and was amazed how fast that tide moved.   

I don't have a high level of experience fishing Tillamook Bay, but whenever I have gone to fish it, my entire time on the water is determined by the tides.  Yes, that water gets moving QUICK!  I'd say that what part of the tide exchange you will fish depends on where you are fishing in the bay.  If I launch at the Garibaldi CG station and want to fish out near the jetties I'll try to make the trip out there at a low slack or just before it so I can ride the current out there, and come back in at high slack. 

You can't really use a cart to transport your kayak at the location I'm referring to because there's a bit of a step down from where the parking lot is.  There might be a spot you could make a cart work, but I haven't tried it.  It's really not that far of a distance to carry your stuff though.  I just have all my gear packed up in a big tote and a large mesh duffel bag.  One trip for the kayak, one trip for the gear, and after locking my truck, the last trip is for the rods. 

Me and a buddy will be kayaking at tillamook bay this weekend, tonight, Sunday/Monday, will be putting in at the garabaldi marina if anyone wants to join:) we are mainly checking things out, might do some crabbing and clamming out there off the kayaks:)


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