Oregon Inlet Navigation TIps???

[suitedandbooted]

We will be trailering 24 Wellcraft to OI Jan 6 and 7th. First time going out of OI, I am going to get there early so I can follow eveyone out and plot my path going out. What are the winds to watch out for at the inlet? Any help on any navigation at the inlet would be much appreciated. Also if the winds are bad do they get any good size stripers in the sound?

[john latham]

Any wind out of the east is not good, anything out of the west you should be ok. I wouldn't recommend running the channel in the dark,unless your following a commercial guy.Just follow the channel out and you will be fine, the channel is very well marked. Don't take the short cut( channel marked with white barrels) unless your following a boat of your draft. I've been hearing reports of fish still hanging around the Manns Harbor bridge. Good luck if you go.

[suitedandbooted]

Thanks, that is what I thought but just wanted to make sure. We will not be going out until around 6am or first light. Thanks for the help..

[fishtales]

Like a friend once told me when I asked the same question, "never follow someone else .... either they know exactly where they are going or they have no idea where they are going and you don't know the difference". So stay in the channel and don't take short cuts.

[suitedandbooted]

10-4 on that. GOOD WAY TO PUT IT. I was figuring if I got behind some Charters I would be fine, that was the fleet I was talking about nut if the channel is marked good I will have no problem. Thanks How about better fishing North or SOUTH? I am from VA and we fish out of Rudees all the time and run to Carolla. How far a trip to Carolla from OI?

[eilybird]

Watch the weather. If the swell is bad you can put in at Manns Harbor bridge and save yourself some fishing time and gas. Dont excpect large fish at the bridge they are usally schoolies in the 18 to 24 inch range. If it is breaking across the bar and you try it be ready for that second wave thats the on e that will get ya. If you get out you should catch some nice fish good luck

[justkiddin]

OI to Corolla Light approx 37nm

[fishtales]

From what I here blues south and rock way north (Corolla)

[suitedandbooted]

Thanks.. I when I get down there Thursday they should be getting pretty close to the inlet......Lets hope. Thanks for the help...

[kiko13]

If the inlet looks angry (other boats are turning back) then stay in if you have never gone through. Don't believe the weather...see for yourself. You can follow those that go out everyday but you need to know who they are.

Ernie

[suitedandbooted]

What is the deal if you go out and it is not bad and when you come back in in the afternoon it has churned up? Is there any alternative????

[kiko13]

Nope! You have to learn to surf your way back. This is what tipically happens down there. It's the 3rd most dangerous inlet in the East Coast. Not saying you shouldn't go...but be careful.

Experiance is helpful.

Ernie

[suitedandbooted]

10-4, I hav had some experince working the thottle on a following sea of waves. I just hope it is the perfect senario. But after seeing that 61lb'er caught in the inlet might not have to go far. Thanks for all the help. If anyone is going to be going out early next Friday AM and don't mind me following them out let me know and I will get your # and get in touch with you Thursday. Thanks again for all the help.

[kiko13]

Didn't see the 61 lber! Inside or outside the inlet? When? Who?

Ernie

[suitedandbooted]

62 lb'er inside the inlet here is the link...[excited]

http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/article.cfm?article_id=1247

[c hawk]

I just got back from OI 12/28 thru 12/30 I took my 25 C-Hawk no problem. Stay in channel Dont try to short cut any markers. Once you get out in ocean it is a lot calmer. Caught

[c hawk]

caught big blues out in front of inlet rock we had to go to Avon and Salvo25lbs to 37lbs trolling double bucks no weight

[suitedandbooted]

Thanks C Hawk, is that the only lure they were hitting? We have been wearing them out on Umbrella Rigs and Stretch's around the Carolla Light.

[c hawk]

I saw fish being caught on everything daisey chains ,stretches, double bucks but chartreuse worked best for me. I had my 12 year old as my mate and he likes to rig double bucks.If birds are working inlet give them a try I didn't and there was some nice fish caught there throwing 4-6 inch storms.Not many people tried it but the ones who did were rewarded. Fish were close to beach. Tip:Be in water by 6am- radio ch19- Follow fleet! Good Luck!! I fished from Avon-Salvo area

[suitedandbooted]

Thanks again, we were planning on being down there at the ramp around 5:30.

[Mightyrjq]

I've seen the charter guys run aground going under the OI bridge and at the sharp curve. The Channel markers are all you have, but sometimes (usually during low tide) there is no room for error.

That said, a guy in a smaller boat shouldn't have any problems if they stay in the channel. (Like everyone else said, don't take the shortcut. Very trickey)

[DP]

We call it the crack, my lil brother ran thru it today with no problem. If you're not comfortable run the channel.

DP
"Harvey's Hookers"
222 Aquasport

[suitedandbooted]

I will run the chanel

[Grady23]

Per the CG in a recent article in Saltwater Sportsman magazine, the most common problem is boats fishing in or near the inlet getting swammped. The skipper gets busy fishing and misses a BIG set rolling in and ends up broad side to a breaking wave and WHAM the boats gets rolled. BTW -- Life jackets are a major thought if your doing OI.

[suitedandbooted]

We are planning on fishing out of the inlet.. Thanks, always have life jackets ready....

[fishinff]

yo woodsie I'll be on the beach with a rope and a beer .....[excited]

[suitedandbooted]

Looks like the pier is the place to be.
http://www.avalonpier.com/piertalk/talk.cgi?read=31356
And Carolla
http://www.avalonpier.com/piertalk/talk.cgi?read=31368