Westport launch

I would love to fish the westport jetty from the kayak. My question is where is the best spot to launch from also what tide should I fish

The half moon bay at the east end of the south jetty.  Do NOT fish an outgoing tide.

I have fished the outgoing most times I've been there... However, it can RIP so stay aware.

Does half moon bay require a surf launch ?

Does half moon bay require a surf launch ?

At times.  It is pretty well protected from incoming swells across the bar though.

Here are some google images of the area.  The pic looking east down the jetty has the bay (bar) on the left side.  Notice it is pretty calm.  If you kept walking in the direction of the photo, you'd walk into an even more protected portion of the bay.  https://www.google.com/maps/place/Westhaven+State+Park/@46.901998,-124.128835,2a,90y,90t/data=!3m5!1e2!3m3!1s-Kq3YTL52qps%2FUt8oIdSq4DI%2FAAAAAAAAI0w%2Fer8QCJPZcz8!2e4!3e12!4m6!1m3!3m2!1s0x549245096b6baa8b:0x7818db87392e7de2!2sSteepwater+Surf+Shop!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0x30e3f91d15ed2de7!6m1!1e1

NOAA's Westport Bar Cam is also usually pointed at a portion of Half Moon Bay.  Hover over the "Grays Harbor" link on the left side of the pic......   http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/marine/bars_mover.php

Here's a vid someone posted on YouTube.  The south jetty is far left in the frame at the start of the video.  Even with surf on a day like this where the camera is it probably wouldn't be too bad adjacent to the jetty. 

Grayland/Westport Chamber of Commerce's webpage has webcams that point to the left/right sides of Half Moon Bay..... http://westportgrayland-chamber.org/surfing_info.php

Its not quite a full-on surf launch but it can be tricky especially at low tide IIRC, the waves just dump straight down on the beach. Closer to the south jetty is more calm as it more protected from the generally W swells.

The outgoing tide is really really brutal, definitely +1 on avoiding that. That much current makes it really hard to vertically jig in addition to the safety concerns. Been in a few scary situations out there for sure.

Take at look at this site:

http://deepzoom.com/indexSilverlight.aspx#/Views/Boat.xaml

You can see the approx. current as the tide rises and falls.

Pretty good crabbing in the area as well. Never really fished it in the winter though.

I would love to fish the westport jetty from the kayak. My question is where is the best spot to launch from also what tide should I fish

 A quick search in the Washington sub-forum will give you lots of detail on where a few different spots are out there to launch. Probably the most often used place would be below the observation tower in Westhaven State Park. If you want the maximum protection -- go to the end of the road and take your yak over the sand dune so you are right in the cove (thus protected) in Half Moon Bay. That option seems a little more effort but not too bad.

 If you fish the last hour or so of an outgoing tide -- that will get you closer to the end of the jetty where I have had the best results. Then you can return on the incoming tide and , of course, fish your way back in to your landing. You do not want to fight a 4.5 knot tide out there. It will kick your ass.

 Good luck out there......... a search will also inform you of some favorite techniques too.

Not to hijack this thread, but if I'm ever down that way without a kayak, I'm going to try poke poling that jerry. I recall catching some nice cabezon and assorted creatures by dropping lines inbetween the rocks there.

I've yet to see a report but the ocean shore jetty was the better of the two jetties in the spring time when I was down there. Not so good in summer and fall.

  Rudy...... you can come down anytime and have a kayak if you want to fish Shores or Westport. I have several and can provide pretty much anything else you'll need.
  You just have to let me know when you are coming down. I am "officially" retired now.... so I have some time and would be pleased as punch to spend some more time on the water with you. I know you make it to Seattle a few times a year for work.. so let's "make it happen".
  Besides--- we would/will have a great time.. let's do it.

Awesome mark. You were there and helped me get started up here!  We will fish together again!!! Thanks buddy!!!! Same for you up here!!!!

  Thanks for that acknowledgement Rudy. It has been great to share and watch the progress you have made in such a short time. You have put in the time , the effort, and certainly the cash to become all that you are. The "Crazy guru of Alaska's kayak fishermen".  A title well earned.
  That's not really quoting anybody--- just seemed to fit......
   There are a few other adjectives I could throw out there too... but we'll keep it family friendly.

 Anyway my friend, my door will always be open to you. Your enthusiasm and spirit are contagious and it's just plain o' fun to fish with you. I look forward to more times together. Wherever........