Post by: jamesfromseattle on February 05, 2021, 07:14:27 PM
Looks like we might have some decent weather mid week next week. Never fished the jetty before, but am thinking about giving it a shot if the conditions permit. Usually my family hits Neah Bay in the spring, but COVID has caused a serious fish and chips drought in my household.
Any tips on what to expect in the winter on the jetty would be appreciated. I think I've got the basic principles, which are: wear a life jacket, avoid big swells + outgoing tides, and be ready to break off a lot of gear.
Post by: fast60eddie on February 05, 2021, 08:05:53 PM
Fast60eddie
Post by: TooTallMike on February 05, 2021, 08:40:22 PM
I think the jetty is closed until sometime 3rd Saturday in March so you better check the regs.
Fast60eddie
Stud stringer!!
Post by: jamesfromseattle on February 05, 2021, 10:43:17 PM
I think the jetty is closed until sometime 3rd Saturday in March so you better check the regs.
Fast60eddie
Ahh, good call. Thanks for pointing that out. Was thinking it was year round for some reason but you’re right.
Post by: Encore 280 on February 06, 2021, 08:02:54 AM
Post by: jamesfromseattle on February 06, 2021, 03:17:03 PM
Post by: fast60eddie on February 06, 2021, 07:13:24 PM
Post by: jamesfromseattle on February 06, 2021, 07:16:41 PM
I can barely wait for the opener. I like to look at the Solunar table zip code 98595, magic seaweed and saltwater tides. I also study the Jetty on google earth.
Do you have any hard rules on weather? I.e. don't fish when the swells are a certain height or the current exchange is a certain number of feet?
Post by: snarkybull on February 07, 2021, 09:15:29 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on February 07, 2021, 10:10:46 AM
Post by: fast60eddie on February 07, 2021, 07:18:27 PM
I can barely wait for the opener. I like to look at the Solunar table zip code 98595, magic seaweed and saltwater tides. I also study the Jetty on google earth.
Do you have any hard rules on weather? I.e. don't fish when the swells are a certain height or the current exchange is a certain number of feet?
I watch for small surfs. Waves 2 to 5’ I like to work a couple of hours before and after slack tide. I also use them winter spiky traction gizmos from Costco to not slip on the rocks. White/glo power grubs are good on 3/4 oz jig heads. I might be trying some cut bait this season. I would like a boat like snarkybull
Post by: fishngamereaper on February 07, 2021, 07:28:15 PM
Can’t wait for Neah bay!!!!
Guna be some long runs again this year from CQ...but I prefer boating up anyway..
As for Westport jetty, watch for combine 8-12' seas max on average tide and 6-8' on high flood.
Noaa pinpoint forecast for the bar will tell you pretty accurate conditions, as will magic seaweed, and windyty.
Post by: snarkybull on February 08, 2021, 08:03:18 PM
I can barely wait for the opener. I like to look at the Solunar table zip code 98595, magic seaweed and saltwater tides. I also study the Jetty on google earth.
Do you have any hard rules on weather? I.e. don't fish when the swells are a certain height or the current exchange is a certain number of feet?
disclaimer: I fish the jetty from a boat so my knowledge/advice may not fully translate to fishing from the rocks.
To summarize, you need either the current to be slow (obviously slack tide is great) or you need the swell to be low. And in both cases, you will want the wind to be manageable.
Current: For fishing during non-slack, I try to find a day/time where the flood or ebb is less than 2 kts. In a boat, I go to the submerged jetty during slack.
Swell: I fish from a boat so am more susceptible to this than from the rocks, but the best places are farther out towards the tip. Anything more than 7 feet is bad.
Wind: 10 mph is troublesome. 15 mph is bad.
The picture I posted earlier of my camera-shy daughter with a nice ling was taken on the OUTSIDE of the south jetty. There are some good fish there when the current is too strong on the inside. The sideways movement is minimal. But south wind will wreak havoc to a land fisherman, and high surf will be dangerous there. On the inside, you are more protected from the surf. But a north wind (which is unusual) will wreak havoc, and anything more than a 2 kt current will eat your hooks. Also the ebb current hits the inside of the south jetty much harder than an identical flood current.
The outside of the jetty pretty much requires going darn near to the end. To the pelican hangout and the land of bird-poo covered rocks. Pretty sure traction gets iffy there. When on the inside you do not have to go nearly as far.
fishngamereaper: you don't need much of a boat when the conditions are good. Mine is just a 15' fiberglass, circa 1968. I live and work near westport so can choose my tides. I circle the 5 or so days a month that have the weakest currents and then go on whichever of those days where swell and wind are low enough. Usually the wind picks up around mid-day so I like to launch at first light.
go to https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaacurrents/Predictions?id=PCT1291_1 for current predictions. I have march 24-26 circled on my calendar as the first fantastic current days and will go on whatever of those days have good weather and swell, assuming I don't have work interferences unknown at this time.
https://marine.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=pzz156# will get you the ocean forecast.
Post by: jamesfromseattle on February 09, 2021, 01:25:01 PM
I can barely wait for the opener. I like to look at the Solunar table zip code 98595, magic seaweed and saltwater tides. I also study the Jetty on google earth.
Do you have any hard rules on weather? I.e. don't fish when the swells are a certain height or the current exchange is a certain number of feet?
disclaimer: I fish the jetty from a boat so my knowledge/advice may not fully translate to fishing from the rocks.
To summarize, you need either the current to be slow (obviously slack tide is great) or you need the swell to be low. And in both cases, you will want the wind to be manageable.
Current: For fishing during non-slack, I try to find a day/time where the flood or ebb is less than 2 kts. In a boat, I go to the submerged jetty during slack.
Swell: I fish from a boat so am more susceptible to this than from the rocks, but the best places are farther out towards the tip. Anything more than 7 feet is bad.
Wind: 10 mph is troublesome. 15 mph is bad.
The picture I posted earlier of my camera-shy daughter with a nice ling was taken on the OUTSIDE of the south jetty. There are some good fish there when the current is too strong on the inside. The sideways movement is minimal. But south wind will wreak havoc to a land fisherman, and high surf will be dangerous there. On the inside, you are more protected from the surf. But a north wind (which is unusual) will wreak havoc, and anything more than a 2 kt current will eat your hooks. Also the ebb current hits the inside of the south jetty much harder than an identical flood current.
The outside of the jetty pretty much requires going darn near to the end. To the pelican hangout and the land of bird-poo covered rocks. Pretty sure traction gets iffy there. When on the inside you do not have to go nearly as far.
fishngamereaper: you don't need much of a boat when the conditions are good. Mine is just a 15' fiberglass, circa 1968. I live and work near westport so can choose my tides. I circle the 5 or so days a month that have the weakest currents and then go on whichever of those days where swell and wind are low enough. Usually the wind picks up around mid-day so I like to launch at first light.
go to https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaacurrents/Predictions?id=PCT1291_1 for current predictions. I have march 24-26 circled on my calendar as the first fantastic current days and will go on whatever of those days have good weather and swell, assuming I don't have work interferences unknown at this time.
https://marine.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=pzz156# will get you the ocean forecast.
Appreciate the thorough explanation. This is excellent info.
Looks like there are going to be some manageable mid-day high slacks the week of the opener and some excellent tides the week after. Tentatively planning on camping out at the State Park the weekend of March 20-21. If anyone wants to swing by for a post-fish beverage, hit me up.
Post by: fishngamereaper on February 09, 2021, 01:52:22 PM
fishngamereaper: you don't need much of a boat when the conditions are good. Mine is just a 15' fiberglass, circa 1968. I live and work near westport so can choose my tides. I circle the 5 or so days a month that have the weakest currents and then go on whichever of those days where swell and wind are low enough. Usually the wind picks up around mid-day so I like to launch at first light.
Oh I Know...used to run for Tuna out of Westport in my 17' Hewes...until I bought my current Hewes.
You can fish the jetty in a Kayak some days. :chuckle:
It can also eat the biggest of boats any given day. We Hit a rogue 15' wave a few years ago crossing in low viz fog. That was fun.
Post by: Encore 280 on February 09, 2021, 04:06:08 PM
Post by: GWP on February 09, 2021, 04:58:28 PM
Launched at slack by accident, thought “Nice and calm, this will be great!”
WRONG!
One of the highest tide changes of the year...
While it was somewhat scary at times, and there was no real way to fish much once the tide got rolling, it was a very pleasant day out over all. There was the one big wave that broke OVER the top of the outboard that was unsettling,,,
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS check the tides. I have been caught by that a couple times. Just because you have an opportunity, does not mean it is a good one.
The rocks are very slippery at times. And they don’t give much. I won’t go on them any more.
Post by: fast60eddie on March 11, 2021, 08:22:05 PM
Post by: spoonman on March 11, 2021, 09:35:41 PM
Post by: snarkybull on March 12, 2021, 12:11:17 PM
7 rockfish. 2 lings. 1 cabby. But only 9 total, so if you get 2 lings and a cabby you can only get 6 rockfish.
Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk
Post by: dilleytech on March 15, 2021, 10:41:54 AM
Post by: snarkybull on March 16, 2021, 11:12:13 AM
Post by: jamesfromseattle on March 19, 2021, 05:00:26 PM
NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. SW swell 10 ft at 10 seconds.
I was planning on it, but I think that's going to be a no-go for me. Sunday looks better, but unfortunately doesn't work for my schedule.
Post by: spoonman on March 19, 2021, 06:36:49 PM
Anyone hitting the Jetty tomorrow? Tides look good but the swell and wind look a little sporty.
NW wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. SW swell 10 ft at 10 seconds.
I was planning on it, but I think that's going to be a no-go for me. Sunday looks better, but unfortunately doesn't work for my schedule.
That’s not the weather to be fishing on the jetty.
Post by: snarkybull on March 19, 2021, 08:01:50 PM
https://www.kxro.com/coast-guard-medevacs-injured-hiker-off-westport-jetty/
Post by: Encore 280 on March 19, 2021, 08:53:48 PM
Post by: GWP on March 19, 2021, 08:59:25 PM
Post by: pnwbestlife on March 23, 2021, 06:16:25 AM
Post by: dilleytech on April 03, 2021, 09:23:38 AM
Post by: snarkybull on April 21, 2021, 03:46:54 PM
Edit: now filled.
Post by: GWP on April 21, 2021, 03:54:24 PM
Crabbing opened and this week looks pretty decent for getting a boat to the jetty..Yeah!!!
Post by: Limhangerslayer on April 21, 2021, 04:24:35 PM
It should also be mentioned that if you are going to the jetty on foot, to really be careful out here...the rocks get slippery. I heard someone broke their leg earlier this year. I nearly broke my leg (micro-fracture bad bone bruise) there a few years ago. The further out you go the more slippery it gets.and watch out for the rabid raccoons! I had one steal my surf perch last year. Out of nowhere I’m standing face to face with a raccoon. He proceeds to jump down, grab a perch and was gone!😂
Post by: pd on April 21, 2021, 09:32:13 PM
It should also be mentioned that if you are going to the jetty on foot, to really be careful out here...the rocks get slippery. I heard someone broke their leg earlier this year. I nearly broke my leg (micro-fracture bad bone bruise) there a few years ago. The further out you go the more slippery it gets.and watch out for the rabid raccoons! I had one steal my surf perch last year. Out of nowhere I’m standing face to face with a raccoon. He proceeds to jump down, grab a perch and was gone!😂
Are you saying there are resident raccoons all the way out on the jetty??
Post by: Limhangerslayer on April 21, 2021, 09:55:19 PM
Ya, I was out casting into the breakers for surf perch when he did that. I’ll see if I can find the picture. I think I got a crappy pic of him, but you can see him in it. It was on my old phone, so hopefully it’s backed up.It should also be mentioned that if you are going to the jetty on foot, to really be careful out here...the rocks get slippery. I heard someone broke their leg earlier this year. I nearly broke my leg (micro-fracture bad bone bruise) there a few years ago. The further out you go the more slippery it gets.and watch out for the rabid raccoons! I had one steal my surf perch last year. Out of nowhere I’m standing face to face with a raccoon. He proceeds to jump down, grab a perch and was gone!😂
Are you saying there are resident raccoons all the way out on the jetty??
Post by: Remnar on April 21, 2021, 10:22:44 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on April 22, 2021, 06:34:35 AM
Post by: jamesfromseattle on April 22, 2021, 01:22:04 PM
Ended the day with a couple greenling and a small-ish bass. There were a couple guys around me that were using floats and seemed to catch more fish and lose less gear than me. Next time I'll give that a shot.
Definitely not an easy place to fish, but a lot of fun. Especially for people like me to tend to puke on boats.
Post by: fast60eddie on April 22, 2021, 08:01:49 PM
I see Snarkybulls open seat offer that makes me sick of work.
Post by: jamesfromseattle on April 22, 2021, 08:24:51 PM
Glad you had fun Jamesfromseattle. I am hoping to get a trip out soon. Did you get any pictures? Did you see any whales?
I see Snarkybulls open seat offer that makes me sick of work.
I hear you on that. Great offer.
I did not take any pics. I had a very vivid image in my head of how I was going to accidentally drop my phone into the jetty, so I never took it out of my pack. Didn't see any whales, but saw a sea otter bobbing around. Cool critters.
Also, forgot to mention, the (lost) ling and bass were are on 4 inch chartreuse grubs on small jig heads. Greenling were at the end of the day on little steelhead spoons. Current was ripping by then, so I kind of just casted up stream and drift fished like it was a river.
Post by: AL WORRELLS KID on May 09, 2021, 04:27:53 PM
Quote from: pd
[/quote
[/quote
and watch out for the rabid raccoons! I had one steal my surf perch last year. Out of Now here I’m standing face to face with a raccoon. He proceeds to jump down, grab a perch and was gone!😂
Are you saying there are resident raccoons all the way out on the jetty??
When the Fish are Biting....Who can blame them? :chuckle:
Post by: Limhangerslayer on June 06, 2021, 06:33:41 PM