Nehalem for ... flounder???

Yeah, I know, I'm nuts.  But, flounder make me that way.  Love those flatties... tasty (and hard to boat!).

Thanks for all your useful posts through the past and will definitely try Sand Lake soon, or maybe that Puget Sound place up in that ... um... other state up there, but we are heading to Wheeler this weekend and they have free kayaks where we are staying so...

Any ideas where to increase my odds of finding one or two in Nehalem Bay?  I see some interesting cuts in marsh grass across the channel in the flats that look like they drop to 6' and the mouths of those would sound likely on an outgoing.  Might try the main channel if slack or incoming.  Don't know if you get a Winter run of flounder here, but I think the biology is similar wherever you go... I think... Will hit the early AM (thanks for your posts about the winds).

Well, any help is welcome.  Worst case, we will still get in lots of alone time, fun, and a good sunburn for our troubles!

Thanks!

You're not nuts.  I've caught a few nice size ones over the years as a bycatch and they are good eating.

They're definitely in all the systems.  I think your plan sounds like a winner.  Good luck keeping the sculpin off your bait though.  Let us know how you do!

-Spot-

going for flatties in port coquitlam on saturday

Try the flats just south of wheeler and in front of the state park ramp but don't forget to spend a little time trolling for salmon.

Will def try those flats South of Wheeler and the ramp if it's quiet, thanks!

Thanks all for the ideas and encouragement!  I will report back what I find (I promise, if I hit the mother load, I won't hide it ... much...  ).

I've got an open invite to stay at a friends in Manzanita, would love to get into some crab, salmon and whatever. Looking forward to your post!

FWIW, here's our trip report.

In short, action was quite slow for all the boats, including us, but we did find out a few interesting things.  Keep in mind, this was our first kayak fishing, and first non-guided fishing trip in Oregon.  Prior to this, all our fishing was done in the Gulf Coast, mainly Texas.

So, we took a couple free loaner kayaks from Wheeler on the Bay (try it, great place!) across the Nehalem to the marshes and grass stands.  We did see a little bait activity as the low started moving at 10am, but it was a weak low (likely did not reach forcing speed) and we used jig heads in 1/16 to 1/8 oz with no trouble getting on bottom in 6-10' of water.  No action on powerbaits at the mouths of cuts and casting at the base of grass and jigging over drop-offs, though my wife actually pulled in a few juvi dungeoness on gulp.  By noon, there was no more bait activity and winds were picking up.  Still, never found wind or current to be any real issue here, even when winds got up to what I would estimate to 20 knots out of SE.  Water was mostly clear and green.  Later, the high started moving pretty strongly at about 3:30 and I tried the main channel with gulp and spoons and got some tiny, but very greedy sculpin.  I hung out at the marina and cleaning tables later on, and all the boats coming in at the marina that had stayed inshore were skunked, though those who had gone nearshore to Jaws or other known spots seemed to have OK catches of salmon (I am not yet expert enough to tell you which kind).

We'll be going back weekend after next and will be looking at a very attractive cut that goes from the marshes out into the main bay and should flush bait on a good tide.  Spots like that have been great for us for bottomfish in our previous life, so we'll see if it works here.  Sometimes, not catching fish makes you want to go back even more than catching a boat load...   Give us some time, we'll get this all figger'd out.

One thing that has really surprised me so far has been the lack of literature and maps for saltwater fishing here.  Back in TX, you could fill an entire section of a book store and I have boxes and boxes, some pretty useful.  If anybody knows a great resource I've missed, I'd love to hear about it.  For now though, this site seems like one of the very best ways I can find (and I do appreciate it very much, thanks!).

Sounds like you stayed at the same place we did a couple of months ago. Sorry no fish. Better luck in two weeks.


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As far as literature for fishing in Oregon, I have three publications that are helpful but kind of general. Oregon Lake Maps and Fishing Guide and Oregon River Maps and Fishing Guide by Amato Publications are good general information and show the major lakes and rivers, the species, the best months to fish for the different species, and the location of boat ramps. These books are general and only have the major lakes and rivers. Then there is Fishing in Oregon by Madelynne Sheehan which has a short writeup about many water bodies throughout the state even a lot of small streams. All three books can be found at BiMart in the sporting goods section. I refer to them any time I go somewhere for the first time and they help to get me oriented.

Oops, just saw you said saltwater. At least those mentioned will talk about the bays.

Bud, I'm a starry flounder fan as well. I used to do very well on them in Yaquina Bay in late winter, fishing clam necks and ghost shrimp on the incoming from the shore at Idaho Point. This was 30 years ago. Every time I have asked about this fishery in recent years, I have been told the seals and sea lions have virtually wiped out the flounder populations in Yaquina Bay and other coastal estuaries. I don't know if this is true or not. I'd really like to ask one of the coast fisheries biologists with ODFW or at the Hatfield Marine Science Center about the status of the starry flounder in Oregon's estuaries.

Thank you all for the encouragement and ideas!  Yes, I was thinking of talking to the folks at the Hatfield, that's a great idea.  Some of the best books back in TX were written by biologists who also happened to be fishing nuts.

After we give the Nehalem another shot, we will hit Sand Lake or the Neccanicum next.  Both mainly seem to have reputations for Spring flounder, but again, the migratory pattern should be a Spring spawning run, but also a Winter run from the rivers and estuaries to offshore which coincides with the shortening days and cooling weather.  Usually, the big ones are caught right at the start, so I definitely want to hit up September more.

I expect this will be a long adventure and it will be a while before we figure it out.  It seems worthwhile though.  I have all the books mentioned and they are great, but lack detail on what I need.  Maybe once I figure this all out, it will be time for me to write my own book

Bud, best o' luck sorting out the flounder. I agree they are vastly underrated and overlooked, as much fun to catch as they are good to eat. I just dug up some notes I took on flounder catches and they are date late February and early March of 1979 and 1980! We caught our fish on sand shrimp in Yaquina Bay.

Hmmm... I love Yaquina Bay, but wow... seal city!  Still, maybe Idaho Flats and Point are a bit away from that.  Looks like a very floundery spot... .  OK, it's on the list!  Thanks!

Hmmm... I love Yaquina Bay, but wow... seal city!  Still, maybe Idaho Flats and Point are a bit away from that.  Looks like a very floundery spot... .  OK, it's on the list!  Thanks!

Most of the fur bags chill on the other side of the bay by the Embarcadero. If you are off of Idaho Point they may give your crab traps a drive by to see if you have some salmon heads to snatch, but they don't hang out over there much. Good crabbing and clamming around Idaho Pt. also.

Bud what rod and hook size do you use? I live near the Nehalem and am new to the kayak fishing. I am familiar with salmon & trout etc. In fact I was salmon trolling Christmas eve day in tillamook bay and had a large flounder follow up my herring bait to the surface. Surprised me. I have been in 7 foot tide exchange and had no trolling issues. I have the new Hobie PA 14 2013 and it is very nice. If you come this way again drop me a PM.

Thanks