Pacific City

Count me in, if there is room.  Unless it's April 5th, I will be on the water at the Springer Clinic.

I been wanting to get on the salt bad enough lately that I may just get the "flu" the next time there is a decent swell.

What kind of kayak would you recommend for launching out of Pacific City and fishing around House Rock? I've got a couple of 10ft sit inside Costco specials but I don't know how comfortable I'd be taking them out in the surf or open ocean.

What kind of kayak would you recommend for launching out of Pacific City and fishing around House Rock? I've got a couple of 10ft sit inside Costco specials but I don't know how comfortable I'd be taking them out in the surf or open ocean.

 Your Costco specials are not the best choice for fishing the salt.....
  I know nothing about your experience level but there are many options that are a better way to introduce yourself to the salt.
   Don't be a statistic........

I'm definetly not the one to ask about Pacific City, but just a little advice, sell the Costco specials on craigslist and look for a Hobie or another sit on top that is designed for fishing.  I would also check the classifieds section on here for ones that are set up already.  You could save a lot of money and time buying one that is all set up.

What kind of kayak would you recommend for launching out of Pacific City and fishing around House Rock? I've got a couple of 10ft sit inside Costco specials but I don't know how comfortable I'd be taking them out in the surf or open ocean.

That's a big question depending on a lot of factors. SINKs are doable for fishing in the salt but I would venture to guess most people here favor SOTs based on their background and experiences. Personally, I would not feel comfortable in a 10-foot kayak of any kind at Pacific City (or any nearshore ocean fishing) on anything but the calmest day (so maybe 2-4 days/yr). My single is a 12-foot SOT and most days I wish it were bigger; my next one will be. I don't have any experience with House Rock.

What kind of kayak would you recommend for launching out of Pacific City and fishing around House Rock? I've got a couple of 10ft sit inside Costco specials but I don't know how comfortable I'd be taking them out in the surf or open ocean.

You generally about a 12 foot SOT kayak. Self bailing is pretty much a requirement unless you're a very experienced sea kayaker.

Thanks for the quick feedback. I've had these kayaks out on lakes and rivers around Oregon but am just now starting to get a taste for rockfish. I've been looking at Ocean Kayak Trident 13 and it sounds like that makes sense. Does anyone know of a place to rent something like that in Pacific City? Or Salem?

Thanks for the quick feedback. I've had these kayaks out on lakes and rivers around Oregon but am just now starting to get a taste for rockfish. I've been looking at Ocean Kayak Trident 13 and it sounds like that makes sense. Does anyone know of a place to rent something like that in Pacific City? Or Salem?

I would call Kiwanda Surf Company. There are also kayak rental places on the Nestucca River in/near town.

Thanks for the quick feedback. I've had these kayaks out on lakes and rivers around Oregon but am just now starting to get a taste for rockfish. I've been looking at Ocean Kayak Trident 13 and it sounds like that makes sense. Does anyone know of a place to rent something like that in Pacific City? Or Salem?

I would call Kiwanda Surf Company. There are also kayak rental places on the Nestucca River in/near town.

With that being said, make sure you spend some time and get comfortable with reading the surf forecast, see main page. Pick the wrong day and you could do some swimming, best case scenario.

Surf launches are special.  My first time on a kayak in the salt was also Cape Kiwanda for the 2008 Rockfish Classic.  What a fun, cool day on the ocean.  Most everybody was at Webbs for the dinner cooked by none other than Pole Pole.  Zee even broke in my splitting maul for the campfire.  A very nice intro to NWKA.

I must say that for me surf landings seem to be trickier than launches.  If you watch the wave pattern at Kiwanda you'll likely see a set of 5 - 6 waves followed by two more lagers.  It's those lagers that always nail me.  I get somewhat of a nice ride out of it but sooner or later everything  goes sideways and that's never good in the surf.  Make sure you tie down everything you want to keep to your boat or you.  Show up with a sense of adventure and be ready for fun.

Sunset Bay is by far the easiest "surf" launch I know of.  The transition from bay to open ocean is really smooth.

Thanks for the quick feedback. I've had these kayaks out on lakes and rivers around Oregon but am just now starting to get a taste for rockfish. I've been looking at Ocean Kayak Trident 13 and it sounds like that makes sense. Does anyone know of a place to rent something like that in Pacific City? Or Salem?

I would call Kiwanda Surf Company. There are also kayak rental places on the Nestucca River in/near town.

With that being said, make sure you spend some time and get comfortable with reading the surf forecast, see main page. Pick the wrong day and you could do some swimming, best case scenario.

Agree. I hope all of that goes without saying, but it needs to be said. Wait, what?! 

I must say that for me surf landings seem to be trickier than launches.

Absolutely.   I've surf launched my Outback from La Jolla to Dana Point to Malibu.  Part of me is looking forward to my 1st Pacific City and part of me is not.

Sold my tuna boat so looking to be a bit more active with the Hobie again.

During the summer, PC can be just as easy as La Jolla so you won't have any trouble as long as you watch the surf forecast regularly and pick your days wisely.  If you see PC at 3 ft. or less during a stable weather system with light winds, which is fairly common, you'll be just fine.