grays harbor

[Afraiman]

I'm looking into crabbing and fishing grays harbor (marine area 2-2) or Willapa Bay (2-1) but I haven't been down there in many years to remember how protected it is/rough the water gets. I have a 14' Livingston that we have taken out in port Susan (8-2) and some of the more protected areas around Port Townsend and felt fine as long as the wind waves were sub 2' and even then, it was more of uncomfortable for fishing experience, less of feeling in danger.
My questions are two fold. A) How rough do the seas get in these areas and B) is it worth it go drop pots and fish in there?

thanks

[WoolyRunner]

The farthest youd want to go in Grays Harbor is at the mouth of the Hoquiam River. Other than that it can get rough from the wind, tide, etc. You can launch at the 28th Street Boatlaunch in Hoquiam.

Willapa, id stay up river by South Bend.

[Kola16]

2-1 would be very doable in that boat on a calm wind day. Many days it is like a lake out there and people use little jon boats often. Stay well away from the inlet to the ocean though. Drop pots in the deepest water and you should get crab. It only gets to about 60 ft. in the middle of the bay 

[metlhead]

What you fishing for? Salmon? Go quick, cuz they will soon be off limits unless you're special. Willapa, you can easily fish around the bend. Too far for crab unless you launch Tokeland. It isn't  bad at all if you watch the weather

[Encore 280]

If you crab in Willapa then you might want to use a lot of weight. Current runs pretty good in there and lots of weeds and grass get hung up on your line and will drag your pot and most likely won't find it.

[Afraiman]

thanks for the good info!

[dilleytech]

You can crab outside of the Westport marina in a very small boat and it’s very productive.

[Afraiman]

will you find the black rock fish in either areas inside the bays/away from the rock jettys?

[dilleytech]

will you find the black rock fish in either areas inside the bays/away from the rock jettys?

No they will be in/around the rocks. They need structure to get out of the current when the tides ripping.