Want to Try the Salt!

Hey Guys just doing a little recon for a possible future trip to the coast and finally do some ocean fishing.

I currently live in Sandpoint, ID so the coast is only a one day drive from here.
I've never kayaked in the salt before, but I started kayak fishing on Lake Superior and now I've moved to fishing Lake Pend Oreille. These are pretty big bodies of water, but still not an ocean! 

Want to get some info from some of you locals on a couple of things...

1. What time of year might be best for a salt rookie to give it a try?
2. What type and the cost of a non resident to fish off shore.
3. What type of safety gear do you need in the ocean as opposed to inland lakes?
4. What would be a good fish to target for a first timer?
5. Where would be a good area to start? (not trying to steal anyones hot spot!) 

Thanks in advance for any advice guys!

1. What time of year might be best for a salt rookie to give it a try?---Summer, wait until the storms are behind us..not to say it cant be done, but I wouldnt make that drive for a maybe.
2. What type and the cost of a non resident to fish off shore.-out of state salt water license can be expensive.
3. What type of safety gear do you need in the ocean as opposed to inland lakes?---drysuit, pfd, vhf, judgement
4. What would be a good fish to target for a first timer?-rock fish
5. Where would be a good area to start? (not trying to steal anyones hot spot!)  --pacific city oregon

Just my opinions.  I don't know much about the sound...more guys can help you there.

Thanks in advance for any advice guys!

If you can make it a long weekend vacation the Tillamook bay for rock fish followed by pc and one other thing for a new to salt guy is a fishing partner ,don't go alone! Also reentry practice.

Sunset Bay is an easy launch & exit. Three campgrounds nearby.
State park: http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=70
County park: http://www.co.coos.or.us/Departments/CoosCountyParks/Bastendorff.aspx
Private: http://oceansidervresort.com/

for a new to salt guy is a fishing partner ,don't go alone!

When I get a bit closer in my plans, I just might see if I could tag along with one of you experts! 

That Sunset bay looks like a nice place to start and to spend a relaxing week end!

I got a quick question for you.

Which species are you most interested in targeting? Salmon, rockfish, lingcod, or other bottomfish like surfperch/greenling/flounder

The most challenging thing about fishing in the salt is planning around all the variables including surf, swell, wind, current, tides, and so on. There are some place you can fish the salt and avoid some of these factors and other places you've got to deal with them all. Throw in the fact that forecasts change quickly it can be challenging and frustrating. I've driven 3 hours to the coast only to end up spending the day sipping beers because the surf or wind was too high for my liking.

For some people it isn't possible to be flexible in planning but if you can try to avoid getting married to the idea of fishing the salt on a particular day or dates. Rather look for 3-4 day windows of good ocean kayak fishing conditions and try to be on the water in the middle of that weather window.

Someday I want to come up your way and catch some big landlocked nooks!

I would definitely plan on at least a long week end or longer to fish out there. I know how the weather can change very quickly.
I've been blown off both LPO and Lake Superior very quickly!

I think it takes a little of the fun out of it if you're in a hurry or pressured to get out on the water and catch something.
I'm finally learning to enjoy the journey!

As far as species... I do lean towards salmon (mainly because I've caught and eaten salmon) , but I'm open to any fish that will cooperate and hopefully tastes good.
I like to eat what I catch! 

As you are looking for possible weekends, look at a site such as magic seaweed so you can get an idea of surf predictions.  Some times the surf will be down to only a couple feet.

Also as you plan potential outing, give a shout out here to see if others will be going to help with you first launch or two.

As far as cost you can get a one day license for $16.75, two day for $31.50, three day for $46.50, four day for $58.00 or seven day for $59.75( 2014 prices but this year should be about the same).  Those daily licenses will cover any of the species you will be fishing for including salmon.

I would suggest trying for rock fish or ling cod.  They are pretty easy to catch and are great fun and good eating.

At Pacific City (depending on the salmon season...should be good this year) you can target both ocean salmon and rockfish/lingcod easily in the same day.

Pacific City is great fishing & a great place to practice your surf entries & exits without a bunch of gear on board. Like others have said - be sure to partner up. Time entry/exit into the surf zone between sets & choose the least rambunctious spot. Staying well positioned on an exit wave is important & probably one of the more difficult techniques to master, especially in +3' surf.  Watch the waves for several sets to size it up & get the rhythm before you try it.

The summer is where you'll find the most consistent conditions.  You definitely want to go with someone experienced the first time.  Make sure you have Immersion gear, but a VHF isn't necessary if someone in your group has one.  ORC is usually a good first day, if the weather cooperates.  See you on the water!

Pacific City is great fishing & a great place to practice you surf entries & exits without a bunch of gear on board. Like others have said - be sure to partner up. Time entry/exit into the surf zone between sets & choose the least rambunctious spot. Staying well positioned on an exit wave is important & probably one of the more difficult techniques to master, especially in +3' surf.  Watch the waves for several sets to size it up & get the rhythm before you try it.

Also swell direction strongly influences the ease of the landing/launching here. Swells straight out of the west or southwest are tough but a northwesterly swell usually provides for kayak friendly surf behind the protection of the cape.

Come to ORC out of Depoe Bay in July. Tons of great guys to show you around and camping with 75 other kayak fishermen make for a great weekend. It's as easy a salt launch as you'll get as well.

Or Id vote for Pacific City in August. The salmon will be in, and you can easily target rockfish, lung cod, Cabezon, and crab in the same day. You are also within an hours drive of Depoe Bay, Tillamook Bay, and Nehalem Bay. Those would be good back up options if the forecast is too sporty at PC.

Thanks for all the great info guys!!

From the sounds of what I'm hearing here, July and August would be the best time for a first timer to plan a trip???
That seems like such a long time to wait (kinda excited to try it!) but it also gives me time to prep.

I will most definitely keep in touch with you guys as to conditions and if any of you would have time to show me the ropes when I get there.

I'll need to learn how you guys fish for Ling cod, rock fish and salmon out there.
I assume you vertical jig for Ling and Rock fish? and troll for salmon?

I have a couple friends that go to Depoe bay on occasion. (not fishermen) They rave about a bar/restaraunt called the Sea Haag!
Wouldn't mind checking out this place while I'm in the area too in case the weather turns and need a place to wait it out!   

Thanks for all the great info guys!!

From the sounds of what I'm hearing here, July and August would be the best time for a first timer to plan a trip???
That seems like such a long time to wait (kinda excited to try it!) but it also gives me time to prep.

I will most definitely keep in touch with you guys as to conditions and if any of you would have time to show me the ropes when I get there.

I'll need to learn how you guys fish for Ling cod, rock fish and salmon out there.
I assume you vertical jig for Ling and Rock fish? and troll for salmon?

I have a couple friends that go to Depoe bay on occasion. (not fishermen) They rave about a bar/restaraunt called the Sea Haag!
Wouldn't mind checking out this place while I'm in the area too in case the weather turns and need a place to wait it out!   

Depoe is great, and everybody loves the Sea Hag.

Yes, vertical jigging for bottomfish. Shrimp flies plus a 3-6 oz jig usually gets the job done. For salmon we usually pull herring behind a flasher and deep 6 diver.