Tillamook this weekend 5/4 - 5/6

I'm heading to Rockaway for 3 nights, which hopefully translates into 3 mornings of fishing.

It's my first time going out in Tillamook. I'm looking to hang out just inside the bar on the south side. That's what I was recommended anyway.

I'm bringing some salmon gear, but will mostly be targeting lingcod and rockfish inside just inside the bay.

If anyone wants to meet up, I'll be trying to get to the Garibaldi Marina around 6am or before each morning.

Of if anyone has any Do's or Do Not's for me, I'd appreciate it.

That goes for non-fishing activities as well. My fiance will be with me for those.

Best of luck to anyone going out on the Willamette this weekend!

 Do’s..... launch at least one hour before low tide, wear a pfd, if you got a vhf bring it, use a trout rod with 20-30lb braid (it’s too damn fun) for rock fish. I’ll likely bee too busy to come play.

Just make sure you leave yourself enough time to get out there before the tide swings from Low to High or else you'll never make it through the narrows.  I try to be out at the jetty about 1 to 2 hours prior to the the tide swing.  Afternoons are usually windy so everyone usually only fishes the morning low to high swing.

I also don't go that far out along the South Jetty.  I usually don't go past the last turn before it goes straight to the jaws. 

Have a good vacation!

Also we typically launch kayaks from the grass area behind the fish cleaning station (no launch fee) but there are some smaller rocks down the muddy area (not deep just a little muddy)

as far as non-fishing activities...  Grumpy's Cafe for breakfast, and Pronto Pup for lunch and a walk along the beach in the evening.  Stop by the Tillamook Cheese Factory on your way out of town and check it out.  They did a good job on the remodel.

If your into nature hikes post up and I’ll throw some suggestions at ya

Thanks guys!

Day 1 of 3 was a success. Water was glassy in the AM but got windy around 10:30 am. Caught about 5 or 6 Seabass. Only two were worth keeping, but I released them all, but tomorrow, hopefully, a lingcod for dinner.

Anyone have luck using baby seabass as live bait for lingcod?

I'll be out there again around 6am if anyone wants to join.

And yes, we like hiking and trail running!

North on 101 when your going through Nehalem at the flashing yellow turn left to stay 101 follow that to the top of the hill excellent ocean view and you can hike Neakanie Mt. or down the trail to an over view.

Past that too the bottom of the hill just past the bridge there’s s big parking lot on your right in the middle of the forest, trail hike to the beach.

I would highly recommend going as small and light as possible. I typically use 1/4 oz jig heads and 3" gulp minnows or gulp squids. Been thinking of stepping down to 3/16 oz jig heads and 2.5 inch gulp minnows. I also use 6#mono on a 7ft med-light spinning reel. Ive found that the less aggressively I jig, the more aggressively the fish bite. Those fish off of the S wall seem to be really lazy. I often just keep in contact with the bottom structure, and slowly drift along, slightly raising up a few inches and back down every 20 sec or so. I catch A LOT of really nice greenling, 16-18" this way too. Ive tried the 4" gulp minnows, hoping to entice larger RF and Lings, but I get way, way fewer bites. Same thing with a heavier jig.  Just my experience.  Last couple of years has been way slower for me, with typical outings producing 25-40 fish.  3-5 years ago, a slow day would be 75 fish, and have had days of over 200 RF out there. I think the S wall has been getting pretty well hammered the last couple of years, unfortunately.  Also, If you can fish weekdays, when the crabbing sucks (no other boats out there) the fishing is typically a lot better, the crabbing boats tend to scatter the schools.