Where to go surf fishing on the Oregon coast?

[PK]

Surf Fishing Spots in Oregon

This post will be updated from time to time.

The #1 question I get from people is where to go surf fishing on the Oregon coast. There's no magical beach that has the most redtails. They are everywhere from northern CAL to Washington.

Any white sandy beaches in Oregon will have them. Sometimes, you go to a beach and you didn't catch any. Don't scratch out that beach yet. Just go back to it a few days or weeks later, and most likely, they are there. Also, move around ---- a lot! These redtails are mobile. Use the 5-5 rule: 5 fan casts or 5 minutes, then move if you don't get any bites. I think the most important thing with redtails is just moving around until you find them.

Also, when is the best time to go surf fishing on the Oregon coast? There is no "best" time because these fish can be caught year round. One of my best trip ever happened in late November, and another time in September, and July.

If you fish in the bay, the best time to catch them is late spring and early summer.

This list is not complete.

Northern Oregon Locations

Cape Lookout

Newport beaches such as Nye Beach/Dawn Davis park area. I actually had my BEST day at Nye beach a few years ago. However, I haven't been able to duplicate that success. One thing to note about Nye Beach/Dawn Davis park is that it can get a lot of traffic, especially during the summer when vacationers are out in full force.

Ona Beach, Seal Rock, Lost Creek, and Driftwood Beach are all good. Again, poor success rate are not indicative of a bad beach - you just have to come back another time. 🔰 See map for Ona Beach. This is probably one of the best known spot for surf fishing because I hold my summer surf fishing tournament here every year. Parking is free at Ona, and the walk to the beach is a little far.

Seal Rock is a good spot, and you can park at Curtis Street parking where the beach is really close to the lot for easy walking. I think this is the best place for beginners to go because it's usually good, and it has a lot of sand crabs (during the summer months), and the beach is very close to the parking lot.

1. Video surf fishing @ Seal Rock (PB):

South Beach in Newport is another area you can try, people have report to me that they do well there. 🔰 see map.

For further up north, Seaside, Gearhart, Sunset Beach are good. I've yet to get skunked at those beaches. I don't go there much often due to them being far from Corvallis. 🔰 See Google map of Gearhart - you are allowed to drive on the beach here.

Another one is Barview Jetty, the north beach at that jetty, not the jetty itself. 🔰 See map. I began surf fishing here, and it's a good beach with a nice campground.

Another good spot is Tierra Del Mar (🔰 see Google map here). I've had good success there. You can drive your vehicle on the beach here. This beach is close to Cape Lookout so you can hop beaches if one spot is slow.

Pacitic City area, check out Bob Straub State Park.

Florence: Driftwood shores, south jetty area, and Siltcoos Beach.

Southern Oregon - Winchester Bay and south

Wincheshter Bay area: try the beach south of the south jetty: 🔰 see map.

Coos Bay area: Horsfall Beach is your best bet: 🔰 See Google map.

Bandon: I've fished Bullards Beach a few times and did really well there too. 🔰 see map. Whiskey Run is another good beach.

Gold Beach is a good place as well (probably due to less pressure). I've fished Kissing Rock with good results.

People have also reported to me that redtails are much bigger as you move south past Bandon. Someone commented that sizes in the 20-22 inches are common around Gold Beach area. However, I haven't seen a picture yet that would prove those claims. But we all know that fishermen never lie.

Port Orford area surf fishing:

 

[Fishy2k]

Hi PK, i see you referenced Bullards Beach for a good place to go.My wife and I just camped there last week at the State Park, and I had intentions to go surf fishing there, but with the big storms we were having, I was unable to go. I guess I will head back to Barview in a few days, or Cape Mears.

 

[Dennis13]

View attachment 54

This post will be updated from time to time.

Boy, I sure do get this question a lot. It's really not complicated, there's no magical beach that has the most redtails. They are everywhere from northern CAL to Washington.

Any white sandy beaches in Oregon will have them. Sometimes, you go to a beach and you didn't catch any. Don't scratch out that beach yet. Just go back to it a few days or weeks later, and most likely, they are there. Also, move around ---- a lot! These redtails are super mobile. Use the 5-5 rule: 5 fan casts or 5 minutes, then move if you don't get any bites.

Here are just some beaches that I fish, not that they are good, but just the fact that they are close to me since I (used to) live in Corvallis.

Newport beaches such as Nye Beach/Dawn Davis park area. I actually had my BEST day at Nye beach a few years ago. However, I haven't been able to duplicate that success. One thing to note about Nye Beach/Dawn Davis park is that it can get a lot of traffic, especially during the summer when vacationers are out in full force.

Ona Beach, Seal Rock, Lost Creek, and Driftwood Beach are all good. Again, poor success rate are not indicative of a bad beach - you just have to come back another time. 🔰 See map for Ona Beach. This is probably one of the best known spot for surf fishing because I hold my summer surf fishing tournament here every year. Parking is free at Ona, and the walk to the beach is a little far.

South Beach is another area you can try, people have report to me that they do well there. 🔰 see map.

For further up north, Seaside, Gearhart, Sunset Beach are good. I've yet to get skunked at those beaches. I don't go there much often due to them being too far from Corvallis. 🔰 See Google map of Gearhart - you are allowed to drive on the beach here.

Another one is Barview Jetty, the north beach at that jetty, not the jetty itself. 🔰 See map.

I've fished Bullards Beach a few times and did really well there too. Bullards Beach is in Bandon (🔰 see map).

Another good spot is Tierra Del Mar (🔰 see Google map here). I've had good success there. You can drive your vehicle on the beach here. This beach is close to Cape Lookout so you can hop beaches if one spot is slow.

People have also reported to me that redtails are much bigger as you move south past Bandon. Someone commented that sizes in the 20-22 inches are common around Gold Beach area. However, I haven't seen a picture yet that would prove those claims.

Hey PK I have been out surf fishing from South jetty, lot B ( fort Stevens), shipwreck,and down to sunset. The bite is very very slow. I plan to hit Gearheart working towards seaside next. I try and go 3 times a week. I live within minutes of those locations. Any winter tips you could share? Wanted to try casting a rapala or something similar. Has that worked for you or anyone else?

 

[PK]

Hey PK I have been out surf fishing from South jetty, lot B ( fort Stevens), shipwreck,and down to sunset. The bite is very very slow. I plan to hit Gearheart working towards seaside next. I try and go 3 times a week. I live within minutes of those locations. Any winter tips you could share? Wanted to try casting a rapala or something similar. Has that worked for you or anyone else?

I haven't used Rapalas in the surf before so I'm not sure how that will turn out. Only one way to find out, right? However, I did use tiny crankbaits before in the surf and did good - this was at Bullards Beach. Video here:

.

For winter, well ... I've used the hi-lo rig year round and rarely deviate from that setup. It's my go-to setup every time.

People have been telling me it's been really slow for them lately. Not sure what's going on.

Anyhow, good luck, and do report back.

 

[NW Star]

Went out fishing January 02 through January 05 and we covered a lot of Oregon coast from Pacific City to Seal Rock and 4 guys got only 1 stripped perch, crab and small Ling Cod, hope it will get better soon...

 

[PK]

Went out fishing January 02 through January 05 and we covered a lot of Oregon coast from Pacific City to Seal Rock and 4 guys got only 1 stripped perch, crab and small Ling Cod, hope it will get better soon...

That's not good at all. Something seems amiss here with surf fishing lately.

 

[Dennis13]

I haven't used Rapalas in the surf before so I'm not sure how that will turn out. Only one way to find out, right? However, I did use tiny crankbaits before in the surf and did good - this was at Bullards Beach. Video here:

.

For winter, well ... I've used the hi-lo rig year round and rarely deviate from that setup. It's my go-to setup every time.

People have been telling me it's been really slow for them lately. Not sure what's going on.

Anyhow, good luck, and do report back.

that
Thanks PK love the video of the small crank bait you used. Gives me an idea. I think something is wrong with contest 5, the questions won't load. Tight Lines brother

 

[Chad.Campbell]

Pk, do you have any favorite spots in California you like to fish the most?

 

[PK]

Pk, do you have any favorite spots in California you like to fish the most?

Clear Lake for sure. It has a lot of catfish and bass and crappies. It's too bad I live almost 3 hours away.

 

[Chad.Campbell]

Clear Lake is an awesome place to go for sure. It's almost 8 hrs away from me, so I can only go there when we do a trip to visit family.

 

[RedRaven1969]

View attachment 54

This post will be updated from time to time.

Boy, I sure do get this question a lot. It's really not complicated, there's no magical beach that has the most redtails. They are everywhere from northern CAL to Washington.

Any white sandy beaches in Oregon will have them. Sometimes, you go to a beach and you didn't catch any. Don't scratch out that beach yet. Just go back to it a few days or weeks later, and most likely, they are there. Also, move around ---- a lot! These redtails are super mobile. Use the 5-5 rule: 5 fan casts or 5 minutes, then move if you don't get any bites.

Here are just some beaches that I fish, not that they are good, but just the fact that they are close to me since I (used to) live in Corvallis.

Newport beaches such as Nye Beach/Dawn Davis park area. I actually had my BEST day at Nye beach a few years ago. However, I haven't been able to duplicate that success. One thing to note about Nye Beach/Dawn Davis park is that it can get a lot of traffic, especially during the summer when vacationers are out in full force.

Ona Beach, Seal Rock, Lost Creek, and Driftwood Beach are all good. Again, poor success rate are not indicative of a bad beach - you just have to come back another time. 🔰 See map for Ona Beach. This is probably one of the best known spot for surf fishing because I hold my summer surf fishing tournament here every year. Parking is free at Ona, and the walk to the beach is a little far.

South Beach is another area you can try, people have report to me that they do well there. 🔰 see map.

For further up north, Seaside, Gearhart, Sunset Beach are good. I've yet to get skunked at those beaches. I don't go there much often due to them being too far from Corvallis. 🔰 See Google map of Gearhart - you are allowed to drive on the beach here.

Another one is Barview Jetty, the north beach at that jetty, not the jetty itself. 🔰 See map.

I've fished Bullards Beach a few times and did really well there too. Bullards Beach is in Bandon (🔰 see map).

Another good spot is Tierra Del Mar (🔰 see Google map here). I've had good success there. You can drive your vehicle on the beach here. This beach is close to Cape Lookout so you can hop beaches if one spot is slow.

People have also reported to me that redtails are much bigger as you move south past Bandon. Someone commented that sizes in the 20-22 inches are common around Gold Beach area. However, I haven't seen a picture yet that would prove those claims.

I fish mostly around Newport, like you I drive from Corvallis as well.

 

[Chad.Campbell]

I just started fishing Newport right as everything was starting to close down, super awesome town! I make the trip from Eugene. In Newport I found Curtis street beach parking is still open. It's right down the street from Ona state park.

 

[PK]

Curtis street parking lot was a good spot for me a few years ago, limit out each trip and always doubled or tripled. It's been on a slow decline as of late. People keep telling me southern Oregon is where the big perch are at. Gonna have to head that direction once they lift the lock down.

 

[ccpastork]

@PK,
I have thoroughly enjoyed watching your videos and learning about surf fishing. Friday, July 24th was my first attempt. I am using an old Reliance graphite rod, 9’ 10-20 pound, MH (I think it is not quite sensitive enough), paired with an old Cardinal 755 reel loaded with new 15# mono line; both of these belonged to my Dad. I figured I would use what I have to get a feel for this type of fishing.

A friend loaned us their house just off the beach at Tiera Del Mar for a few days I watched one of your posts which showed a map of the beach; I started just south of the drive-on beach access spot and worked my way southward. This is the conditions and set up:
7/24/2020 Tiera Del Mar
High tide (7.7) at 3:42am, low tide (-0.7)was at 10:19am. Sunrise at 5:23am. Wind was pretty steady at 7+ with gusts much stronger and overcast skies.
Started fishing at 10:30, used High-Low set up, 2oz disc lead 24” from bottom hook, #4 Gamakatsu bait hooks, 2” Gulp Bloody & Natural sand worms, 12-14” apart. Fished until wind and tide became too rough.

I managed to catch a handful of very small silver perch and one decent sized Starry Flounder.

Sunday 7/26/2020
High tide (6.3) 5:14am, Low Tide (0.6) 11:47am, wind was mild at about 3mph and sunny. Started fishing at 11:30am, a bit farther south. I fished for about 6 hours.

Finally managed to catch a few Red Tails! Nothing bigger than 9”, but still a lot of fun. Caught MANY, Silvers and a bunch of sculpin and one small Starry Flounder. I suspect a lighter weight rod would help detect the bites better and also help retain more fish. I pan fried four of them for a snack for me and my 9yo daughter who loves to fish (and eat fish).

Monday 7/27/2020
Low tide (1.3)12:38pm, wind was very mild, so foggy you could not see the beach behind you from the surf. Found the Gulp Camo sand worms at Pacific City True Value Hardware (dried them in the sun the day before). Fished even father south past the rock outcrop, fished for 5 hours.

After casting and walking for about 2 hours I found a good low spot as the tide was coming in. EVERY cast was a fish, many doubles; in that one spot I caught somewhere north of 30 fish. Sadly 90% were small Silvers. I managed to land a handful of Red Tails and lost one about 8 feet from me that was significantly bigger (I would guess about 13+ inches?) and put a decent bend in the rod. In the excitement I think I may have pressured it too much. I kept two of the 9” Red Tails for the girl to snack on.

All in all I would label this as a success. However, I think a more sensitive rod, knowing where to cast in the surf and how/when to retrieve might make a difference. I also suspect using lighter line, and/or braid with a mleader, would improve things as well.

Will I do it again? 100% YES!!!

At some point I will need a different reel for sure, the old Cardinal does not like the salt water and needed lubing a couple times to keep it from squeaking and binding up.

Thank you for shooting all the instructional videos, they really helped. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Kevin

 

[PK]

@PK,

Thank you for shooting all the instructional videos, they really helped. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Kevin

What a great report. Thank you for sharing.

If you're looking for a rod/reel combo, then I would recommend the Celilo by Okuma. Get the 9'6" medium light action spinning rod.

For a reel, going from lowest budget, a Shimano FX is sufficient. Size 2500 spooled with 15# braid. Next one would be the Shimano Sienna. You can go to a size 4000 and spool it with 20# braid so you can have it for 2 species, perch and rockfish. The next one up I recommend is the Shimano Sedona, it's a great reel. Get the 3000 and put on 15# braid.

Also, rinse off your reels after each trip. A light spray with a garden hose is all you need. I haven't had any reels fail yet. Taking care of it is key.

Tight lines.

 

[ccpastork]

What a great report. Thank you for sharing.

If you're looking for a rod/reel combo, then I would recommend the Celilo by Okuma. Get the 9'6" medium light action spinning rod.

For a reel, going from lowest budget, a Shimano FX is sufficient. Size 2500 spooled with 15# braid. Next one would be the Shimano Sienna. You can go to a size 4000 and spool it with 20# braid so you can have it for 2 species, perch and rockfish. The next one up I recommend is the Shimano Sedona, it's a great reel. Get the 3000 and put on 15# braid.

Also, rinse off your reels after each trip. A light spray with a garden hose is all you need. I haven't had any reels fail yet. Taking care of it is key.

Tight lines.

I also found your post about rods and reels recommendations, but thank you for the response.
I am also wondering if I was casting too far out? How deep of water are you targeting?
Kevin

 

[PK]

I also found your post about rods and reels recommendations, but thank you for the response.
I am also wondering if I was casting too far out? How deep of water are you targeting?
Kevin

Oh, you can never cast too far out. Haha. If I somehow could, I'd like to wing it out a quarter mile.

With Oregon's beaches, it's fairly flat no matter where you go, so no matter where you cast, it's usually going to land in about 5 foot of water. What you try to find are spots that have the waves stack up, where it seems to be boiling. Those are usually troughs and holes, and tend to hold fish. Sometimes it doesn't show up until the tide is at a certain point. So focus on those areas where you see a lot of ripples or where waves are stacking up.

Rip currents are also good, and that's easy to see by looking at foams that forms a line back out into the ocean.

 

[portlandsonics]

I went out to Sunset Beach yesterday. It is fun to be able to park on the beach but also there is a small paved lot not too far away from the beach. I caught my first fish on the Oregon coast (and not one spec of seaweed)! A tiny little fish pictured below. I'm not sure what it is? I couldn't roam the beach as much I would like as I had the little ones with me.

I know the 9'6" Okuma Celilo was mentioned on this thread. I do have that exact rod and threw on a two ounce disc sinker with it. The rod really didn't seem like it could handle 2 ounces (obviously not rated for it). Do you think if I threw a one ounce it would be effective? I wonder if 2 ounce is the minimum to be effective out there. It seems anything lighter and the surf will really mess with the presentation.

 

[PK]

I went out to Sunset Beach yesterday. It is fun to be able to park on the beach but also there is a small paved lot not too far away from the beach. I caught my first fish on the Oregon coast (and not one spec of seaweed)! A tiny little fish pictured below. I'm not sure what it is? I couldn't roam the beach as much I would like as I had the little ones with me.

I know the 9'6" Okuma Celilo was mentioned on this thread. I do have that exact rod and threw on a two ounce disc sinker with it. The rod really didn't seem like it could handle 2 ounces (obviously not rated for it). Do you think if I threw a one ounce it would be effective? I wonder if 2 ounce is the minimum to be effective out there. It seems anything lighter and the surf will really mess with the presentation.

Nice catch, and that is a silver surf perch. They are quite common. Yes, I toss a 2 oz with that rod with no problem. It does feel too flimsy with it. But I've had no issues, once you fish more with it, you'll start to gain more confident in that rod. You can use a 1 oz too with that rod. 1 oz isn't too light, I actually use that more than the 2 oz. It does tend to move around more, and I have to recast more often. Not a big issue for me.

Good luck.

 

[jaikim]

Perch fishing has really picked up for me in the last 3 weeks with several trips - getting a bite on just about every cast. Get out in the surf soon if you can! Fished Moolack beach 2 or 3 times and Seal rock once this past week. Very good results! Fellow angler got a couple of 17 inchers at Moolack a few days back using clam necks.