Central Coast prospecting this weekend

I know the forecast is still almost a week out, but if it holds, we could be looking at 2 foot swell and <10 knot winds on Sunday.  This has got me to thinking about prospecting some lesser-known spots along the coast.  Two spots that come to mind are Seal Rock (between Newport and Waldport) and Heceta Head (north of Florence, south of the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve).

Seal Rock has some obvious rocky habitat, and I've read iFish reports on bottomfishing that area along with a couple posts here on NWKA of kayakers fishing it for rockfish.

Heceta Head is a real wildcard.  I've found very little information on this area.  The bathymetry charts don't paint it as a good rockfish location, but I'm thinking it could have potential for flatfish and halibut.  I've stopped by the head several times over the last few months just to watch the waves and surf launch potential, and it's absolutely doable on up to 4 foot NW swell, and 3 foot W swell.

Anyone here have experience or insights on these two spots?

I have stopped at that Heceta Head bay and parking area and wondered about launching out of there on a real smooth day to try it out, I just wasn't sure if there would be any rock/ling habitat, and not sure how far out the salmon would be and I hadn't considered flatfish, not many other boats out in that area, so it is not a place I would go solo but I think at least 2 kayaks going out would be safe.

This Thursday through Sunday are starting to look real tasty, I'm starting to lock in on going out of Sunset Bay on Thursday, not sure about Friday yet, and if that light wind forecast holds up for Sunday, I might be up for launching out of Heceta...cheers, roger

I have a friend from Newport who would be going with me.  He has many years of ocean kayak experience.  I wouldn't launch Heceta solo, especially if trying for halibut.

I agree that Heceta would probably be slim pickings on the rockfish.  But that's okay, as I can get those at Depoe Bay.  It'd most likely be a flatfish show out there, and maybe salmon if there's bait around.  Personally I really enjoy fishing for flounder, sole, etc because they're different and they taste amazing.  A day off Heceta with a mess of flatfish would be a success in my book.

I've never seen any boats out there either, and I've driven by it many times.  Could be because it's a desert and fishless...or, everyone assumes that because we never see boats out there.  Never know unless you try  .

What is your favorite way to target flatfish? Just small jigs on a sandy bottom? I have never caught a flounder.

I hope I don't burst a bubble but the area I believe you area you are speaking of is within the Cape Perpetua MPA/Marine Reserve zone.

 http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/docs/marinereserves/Cape_Perpetua_handout.pdf

Just be aware....

What is your favorite way to target flatfish? Just small jigs on a sandy bottom? I have never caught a flounder.

I like dragging an anchovy or a herring strip along the bottom on a Carolina rig, with two 3/0 snelled octopus hooks.  It's surprising how even the smaller 12-14 inch flounder can swallow a whole anchovy.  I prefer targeting the 40-60 foot depths for sand sole, rock sole, and starry flounder.  Petrales are out deeper, 180 and beyond.

I hope I don't burst a bubble but the area I believe you area you are speaking of is within the Cape Perpetua MPA/Marine Reserve zone.

 http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/docs/marinereserves/Cape_Perpetua_handout.pdf

Just be aware....

It's not in the reserve, only within the southern MPA.  The southern boundary for the reserve is at the mouth of Tenmile Creek.  You can hook-and-line everything in the southern MPA except for herring, sardines, anchovies, and the other bait species.



I read a report on iFish of some clipped coho caught on rockfish gear off Seal Rock this last weekend.  50 FOW.  Sounds tempting!

I've caught quite a few salmon trolling off seal rocks, it was from a power boat though so we were out a bit deeper 120fow.  The heceta launch is a true adventure - it's beckoning for aMayesing! I think you'll find some halibut there (but don't say anything if you do, wink wink).

I'm interested. Yet..
I've used the Navionics Web App to look around and there doesn't appear to be any dramatic contour changes.
The part that concerns me is that it appears to be shallow.
The guys I talked with in Depoe Saturday were halibut fishing in 550 FOW.
They all had halibut too.

I'm interested. Yet..
I've used the Navionics Web App to look around and there doesn't appear to be any dramatic contour changes.
The part that concerns me is that it appears to be shallow.
The guys I talked with in Depoe Saturday were halibut fishing in 550 FOW.
They all had halibut too.

unless I missed an update, this weekend it's only shallower water that matters, halibut only open to 40 fathoms...

That works for me.
Clayman, you up for another on your adventure?

I'm starting to lean more towards Seal Rock now.  More options available out there, and the report of salmon has put the chrome bug in my mind.  Ideal day would be to troll for coho early, then later in the day trooch a large herring near the bottom for halibut, a Chinook, or a big ling.  Back-up would be hitting the reefs for the rock-dwellers.

That works for me.
Clayman, you up for another on your adventure?

For sure MonkeyFist!  Let's keep an eye on the forecast and see if she holds.  Final decision to be made Friday.

I've never worn a helmet, but sure would consider it at a place like that.

Dave

I wear a helmet for surf launch and landing. No shame in that. I'm looking farther south for going out, Brookings is all depth 7 days a week for halibut.

I've never worn a helmet, but sure would consider it at a place like that.

Dave

I'll take that advice to heart and have one with me.  I don't take surf launches lightly.  Seal Rock is definitely one of those places where you may have 5-10 days in a year to even think about launching from it.  Given that it's only a 15 minute drive away, I'm fine with aborting and heading to a safer port if I have any doubts about the WX forecast, the surf, etc.

Any shop that deals in whitewater gear will have helmets. While whitewater kayaking and waveski surfing I wear one. It's old so no real help in a search for a new one. Never wore one at La Jolla etc either, but a rocky launch would have me wearing it. They aren't really unpleasant to wear, like most other helmet styles past the base models they all protect well. You are mostly paying for comfort and style.


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Snow boarding helmets or a good bike helmet will work.