Gold Beach??

SWMBO is in negotiations with her mom over locations and dates for a summer vacation with the kids.  I was thinking I'd have to give that trip a miss due to lack of vacation time, but I just might be able to swing it if I work over Christmas, and skip another couple days I'd planned to be off.

Right now they're looking at Gold Beach, the week after July 4th.  If that's where they go, and if I go too, there's no way I'm not bringing the yak and doing some fishing.  What's the fishing like out there?  Looks like the Rogue River mouth is at Gold Beach.  What's my best bet?  Salmon/steelies in the river or in the salt?  Rockfish/ling cod/etc and crabs?  Based on satellite views on Bing Maps it looks like it's pretty sandy right there at Gold Beach - but I can't tell beyond what's visable above the water.  Might be good for crabs and flat fish, and salmonoids if they're around.  Rocky structure not too far north and south though.

Other than Invasive Species permits, and nonresident licenses is there anything I particularly need to know about fishing in OR that's different from WA?

Anyone interested in meeting up out there if I do make it?

Don't overlook Port Orford, 25 miles north. Easy launch next to the dock, around the jetty to the cove for bottom fish. I may be there in July with my kayak and looking for someone to go with.

Chris

C-Run - Sounds like you know the area.  If I make the trip I'd be happy to meet you up there.

I've only fished the Rogue upriver so don't know the bay at all. You will be early for Fall chinook. Try searching ifish for rogue river info.

Like C Run  said, Port Orford is  about 20 miles north and has excellent fishing for rockfish/lings. a very calm beach launch in the right conditions.

Of course you could talk 'em into going to Coos Bay then you could fish with me at Sunset.

Nothing special you need to know just the invasive and license.

Isn't the new marine reserve (red rocks) on the south side of port orford?  Also to the south towards Brookings there are some good rock fishing.

Isn't the new marine reserve (red rocks) on the south side of port orford?  Also to the south towards Brookings there are some good rook fishing.

Oh Yea, forgot about that. redfish rocks, but according to the reserve map compared to  a more detailed google map, the rocks just to the south are not in the area and theres good fishing on those rocks. To the north is pretty good fishing too and sheltered from the north winds.

http://www.oregonocean.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=227:redfish-rocks-pilot-marine-reserve&catid=4:sites-for-marine-reserves&Itemid=80

Hmmm. SWMBO wasn't totally thrilled about the idea of me going fishing for more than maybe 1 day if I go along on the trip.  I'll need to work on that.

Island Rock (the big one south & further out from Redfish) is a long hall in a yak from PO. I used to do Redfish from the rock quarry before they closed it. Haven't tried Island Rock in a yak but would be willing if going with a team & if we could find the right launch point. Island Rock is a favorite of pb'rs & scuba divers who would blow right by Redfish on their way to Island. Redfish was a lot closer didn't get that much pressure (why i selected it, & probly why they closed it  ).

Other options there might be Harris Beach State Park at Brookings. I've seen recreational kayaks put in there and it looks very fishy with all the big rocks.People fish off the beach right there.  Never fished down there myself. Or, maybe the south side of Cape Sebastian on a calm day. It can be rough or very flat, I've seen it both ways. It also has lots of offshore rocks. There is a good fishing report for the whole area at www.currypilot.com that comes out on Saturdays in the sport section.

So, it turns out that SWMBO was planning a longer trip to Gold Beach than I'd thought.  I only get 2 weeks vacation time per year, and would have take at least 7 days worth, maybe 8, to make this trip.  Not happening.  Especially since she wants me to save up enough vacation time (max 2 week carryover each year) so we can go to HI or somewhere similar in a couple years.