New to Kayak fishing - New outback

I just picked up a hobie outback after years of sea kayaking. Want to get on the water this weekend. I'm thinking about Wobbler fishing near longview but I'm not sure I'm ready to anchor in the mighty C yet. I have a sailing and kayaking background so I know the river and it's dangers. Anybody have advice on trolling with a wobbler in a hobie kayak? Is Longview gonna be to crowded with boats? Other ideas interms of location or ways to attrack fish. Here to learn!

Welcome to the forum!

I would advise against the Longview area as a first run for kayak fishing for salmon. There aren't many people who fish that area out of a kayak generally because the currents get moving pretty quickly through that stretch of river. I'd recommend going up or down river. Wobblers aren't typically trolled in the Columbia for salmon. They are usually used while sitting on anchor. Not to say that you can't catch a fish while trolling them but you likely won't get the right action with a wobbler if you're trolling it. If you're going to troll I would recommend using spinners. I would also suggest spending some time getting used to operating your boat in current if you haven't already done so before actually fishing.

Good luck if you go, let us know if you see anything happening. There have been some fish caught above the estuary recently.

Good advice. I think you get the picture. I'm not particular about species or method. I just want to get on the water and be safe. I was even thinking Nehalem bay/ Sea run Cutthroat. Any thoughts? I'd like to go for Salmon and I'd like to fish the columbia to get the experience. I always err on the side of safety and have experience on the columbia. I'm going to rig an anchor system but will test it in gradually increasing currents until I have a good deployment method and understand the limits. So no anchoring in current this weekend.  If it's trolling spinners, where might I have the best luck?

Nehalem is an excellent choice for salmon fishing right now. Specifically, launch in Wheeler at the boat ramp. Don't park in the trailer spots, park up along 101 on the north side of the ramp after unloading next to the boat ramp. Work the incoming tide through high slack. Spinners and plug-cut herring work well. Double check the regs but I believe it is a TWO FISH LIMIT!! Yippie! I can't think of a better newbie spot for salmon. The currents can get fairly strong here, especially during the full moon we will see this weekend, but just get in line with the boaters and follow their lead. There should be plenty of them there.

Please give us a report if you end up there - I've been wondering how the fishing has been there lately.

Thanks. I kayak that bay fairly often and love it. I'm glad it's plug cut herring because I need to learn this for later in the fall. I'll check the tides and make sure I time it right. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again!

My dad fishes the Nehalem every summer. Just called him and he said it's been slow but he managed a 15lb nook today. Only his 3rd since July 15th. Should pick up any time, though.

Good timing on the Nehalem suggestions...  Busy this weekend, but may try skipping out of work tomorrow for some crabbing/fishing Nehalem.  I've crabbed there before, but more out towards the jetties, and I've trolled the Wheeler area.  Any best suggestions for doing both?  My thoughts were to drop the crab pots out of the channel between Brighton and the State Park, then troll the incoming towards Wheeler, then trolling back on the slack. 

-Sam

Good timing on the Nehalem suggestions...  Busy this weekend, but may try skipping out of work tomorrow for some crabbing/fishing Nehalem.  I've crabbed there before, but more out towards the jetties, and I've trolled the Wheeler area.  Any best suggestions for doing both?  My thoughts were to drop the crab pots out of the channel between Brighton and the State Park, then troll the incoming towards Wheeler, then trolling back on the slack. 

-Sam

That's what I would do if I wanted to do both. There are good crabbing spots just north of the launch at the state park so no need to go out towards Brighton if you are planning on fishing towards wheeler. I've even waded along parts of the bay in that area and scooped up crab with my salmon net when the salmon fishing is slow.

What he said! Opposite side of the dock (north side) at the state park has a nice hole that can produce. There is also an area out from trestle along 101 across the bay from the park towards Paradise Cove that's pretty good even in shallow 10-15 feet of water.

Kahr's dock to Wheeler is productive for salmon. There's a hole just up from Wheeler on the north side of the river (opposite side of the river from Wheeler) where there's a row of pilings that can hold fish during the slack. It's a pretty simple fishery. 2-3 ounces of lead on a dropper and a plug cut herring or spinner. Good luck!

Thanks RF/3C - looks like I'll be giving it a go tomorrow!

-Sam

Temps look like 50 to 70. Is a dry suit overkill? Normally I stay close to shore and would go with shorts but I'm sure I'll be trolling a good distance from shore. Advice?

A drysuit is never overkill on the ocean in the PNW. Ocean temps are in the mid 50's at most - if you're in the water you will want to be dry and have some insulation, and you have to believe that there is a fair possibility that you will be in the water.

There is a current thread about a NWKA member who just last week spent a couple of hours in the water at PC - that could be you...

If you're planning on fishing Nehalem Bay up by Wheeler you can get away with a step down from what you would wear in the ocean. Maybe wear your drysuit but you may not need to layer as much underneath. Since that area is tucked back from the coast a little bit the weather can get quite nice.

Good advice. I think you get the picture. I'm not particular about species or method. I just want to get on the water and be safe. I was even thinking Nehalem bay/ Sea run Cutthroat. Any thoughts? I'd like to go for Salmon and I'd like to fish the columbia to get the experience. I always err on the side of safety and have experience on the columbia. I'm going to rig an anchor system but will test it in gradually increasing currents until I have a good deployment method and understand the limits. So no anchoring in current this weekend.  If it's trolling spinners, where might I have the best luck?

If you want to hit Tillamook bay let me know what day and if I'm available I can take you out for crabbing smaller black rock fish and they are starting to hit salmon. I also know an excellent cutthroat hole close by.