Chetco bubble Oct 1-11, 2015

Anybody planning to fish the Chetco bubble this year?  There are a few of us just across the border that are planning to fish it. I plan on hitting the opener on Thursday.

Thinking about it.  Have you fished it before?

Considering the size of Chinook in the Columbia and coastal rivers, I think there will be some 50lbers caught in the bubble this season.

Thinking about it.  Have you fished it before?

Considering the size of Chinook in the Columbia and coastal rivers, I think there will be some 50lbers caught in the bubble this season.

I haven't. We've talked about it for a few years but this year with prospects of 50lb fish and a poor salmon season out of Trinidad until the last 2 weeks of the now closed season, I am finding the Chetco bubble irresistible.

Anything over the low 30s would be a personal best.  I think that's possible in most Oregon waters this season, but the odds in the bubble would probably be best. 

It's a seven hour drive for me, but the though of giant chinook has a very strong pull.

I'm trying to fit a trip in as conditions allow. I hear those fish are super aggressive!

Where's a good place to launch for kayaks?  This is appealing on many levels.

Where's a good place to launch for kayaks?  This is appealing on many levels.

The harbor is fine to launch a kayak and there's also a relatively protected beach launch that would save some time to get out to the salmon grounds. I'm just going to look for the PB fleet and join them.

I've launched off of the beach next to the south jetty before. It was a bit of a surf launch when I was out here but it wasn't bad. I have only done that once though and I was very new to kayak fishing. I know that's a little bit closer than launching from the harbor.

I launch just across from the Coast Guard station off of the transient docks, no fee, no crowd.
 just be sure to stay out of the way of any vessel or their gear if they are in port, they let us use their fresh water to rinse after a paddle as well.

I launch just across from the Coast Guard station off of the transient docks, no fee, no crowd.
 just be sure to stay out of the way of any vessel or their gear if they are in port, they let us use their fresh water to rinse after a paddle as well.

Thanks for the Intel!  I'm packing up today, all systems go.

What's this fishery like?  Is it similar to Buoy10 for power boat traffic?  Would most kayakers fish from the Jetty to the 101 bridge?  Or do you cross the bar and fish in the ocean at the mouth?  I've never fished the Chetco, but other coastal rivers seem to be best fished about a mile from the mouth -- I'd guess from the CG station upriver?? 

What's this fishery like?  Is it similar to Buoy10 for power boat traffic?  Would most kayakers fish from the Jetty to the 101 bridge?  Or do you cross the bar and fish in the ocean at the mouth?  I've never fished the Chetco, but other coastal rivers seem to be best fished about a mile from the mouth -- I'd guess from the CG station upriver??

This is an ocean fishery.  Beach launch or cross the bar.  I usually see the PBs trolling about a mile out.  I've only ever stood on shore and watched, this will be my first time out.

Well, I scared myself right out of this option.  I googled Chetco bar crossing and watched a video of the 47 coming in on Rough Seas - just nasty.  I'm sure that's exactly what it would feel like on a calm day in my kayak.  I need more experience before doing the ocean fishery. 
This was helpful: https://www.uscg.mil/d13/dpw/docs/Chetco_River_Bar_Crossing_Handout.pdf

Well, I scared myself right out of this option.  I googled Chetco bar crossing and watched a video of the 47 coming in on Rough Seas - just nasty.  I'm sure that's exactly what it would feel like on a calm day in my kayak.  I need more experience before doing the ocean fishery. 
This was helpful: https://www.uscg.mil/d13/dpw/docs/Chetco_River_Bar_Crossing_Handout.pdf

Opener looks ok to me. I'm pretty salty and have fished in the ocean hundreds of times, this is within my comfort zone:

Barb,
 The Chetco is the safest bar to cross in Oregon and the launch is less than a quarter mile from the mouth.
 We take the small Frenzy's across to bottom fish quite a bit, so I'm sure you and your boat are fine for the task.
 The traffic in the mouth is the biggest worry, but not a problem if you pay attention and time between boats.
 "Salmon Alley" is just outside the mouth and a very easy to do in a Yak troll, bring a flag so the PB's will see you.