Pacific City halibut?

Looking to get at least one this year from a kayak, still have a couple spots left on my tag  I know the general area in PC most the dory guys start at, it's no secret spot but a 9ish mile round trip if I go there, fighting current on the way back doesn't sound too fun. Anyone had any luck with a spot a little closer out there, or a north of the rock area they've had luck at and would be willing to point me in the right direction? Riding the current on the way back wouldn't be so bad. Will also take directions to another near shore area if someone had a decent nearshore spot other than PC. Burned out with trying off Nehalem though... will of course trade some of the spoils if I got into em 

I have taken many trips out there and have only gotten one.  It is a long ways offshore to the gravel and the way back is always a struggle, especially when the wind starts picking up.  I know folks have caught them next to the reef while trying for Lings though. 

So I shouldn't waste time trying off Nehalem? Damn. It was so much closer than the PC trips. Those were grueling.

So I shouldn't waste time trying off Nehalem? Damn. It was so much closer than the PC trips. Those were grueling.

I have always fished straight off Oswald in 150ish FOW and never done any good. Tried several trips in 60 FOW as well but again no luck. Only been a handful of times out of the yak though. Again up there, dunno any solid numbers but I knew the general area well enough. Problem is the surf can pick up FAST off of Manzanita and it's sketchy coming back in (perhaps I need more practice) If there was a way to launch off short sands it might be a lot better

I have taken many trips out there and have only gotten one.  It is a long ways offshore to the gravel and the way back is always a struggle, especially when the wind starts picking up.  I know folks have caught them next to the reef while trying for Lings though.

I've seen some incidental catches there before too. I would like to specifically target them though I guess I always could try anyways and catch whatever wants to bite

Thanks for the info. That surf there is pretty sketchy.

At the risk of offending someone and actually putting up something someone finds useful, Craig, Jay Vogal knows a gal that catches them off a kayak there pretty regularly. But I’m not going to post up the details on a public forum. Pm me

Well, you certainly avoided making it useful by withholding the important information. I see this as growth, Shannon.

I understand that the currents stream north to south, most of the time.... but I swear I have been there to PC and had it reverse on me during a tide shift and stream south to north. Maybe it was just some micro currents around the rock area? But if one of those tide sites can predict a swing in current direction, I would be game to make the trip down and back.

Well, you certainly avoided making it useful by withholding the important information. I see this as growth, Shannon.

Remember if I want your opinion I’ll give it to ya!! I’ll take that as a compliment, maybe, kinda, sorta, oh F#€k it not at all!!! 

I understand that the currents stream north to south, most of the time.... but I swear I have been there to PC and had it reverse on me during a tide shift and stream south to north. Maybe it was just some micro currents around the rock area? But if one of those tide sites can predict a swing in current direction, I would be game to make the trip down and back.

Definitely "normal" for the current to run North to South. You are correct though around the rock anything is game. Some days there is virtually no current though. Also some rare days I have seen a very slight current going the opposite direction(s) though for sure! It's a hell of a paddle from about 3 miles south to the mouth of the Nestucca, however on a very calm surf day if we had a group (at least 2) guys to help carry kayaks over the sand at Bob Straub one could always launch right there, then just go west and you're in the area. I need some more friends who wanna go!

I need to scout and see that Nestucca jaws in-person before I can think about squeezing in/out of the breakers. Of course, a low swell day is when I need to scout.

Another option (maybe safer?)(but probably more grueling?) could be to wheel kayaks from the Sand Lake Rec area, for about 3.5 miles north, along the beach, then launch in the shadow of Cape Lookout. Start at 3 or 4 AM. Should take only 1.5 hours to walk up there. Of course, pack light. Then jet out to deep water and ride the current for 11 miles down to PC. Then shuttle back to Sand Lake.

You're quite a ways off still of the mouth of the Nestucca at Bob Straub, I wouldn't think it'd be any different than any other open beach launch. But definitely need small swells and an adventurous drive