Oregon inlet

[SANFLEA]

So whats the key to navigating the inlet ?

[satterly]

I like to follow one of the big boys on the way out if I haven't been in a while. Things change up quick down there and I know if the 50 foot sportfishers can stay off the bottom then I can to.

[fishtales]

I'm not trying to sound like a jerk but just stay inside the channel markers! Watch the weather, pick your days and once you are out, really keep an eye on the weather and or clouds.

[Buck268]

I posted this on another thread, this will get you through the marked channel. As stated by others the big boys must go and believe me they may look big but, they can run faster than 40 mph.
Here's a web site that I found and it's the best I've seen so far. This is from the Army Corp. and is only a month old.
Thumbs up for the Corp. I'm heading down in the morning.

http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/IMS_Disclaimer.htm

[SANFLEA]

thanks dude , let me know how you do !!!

[High Line]

Hi Sanflea --

Sorry for the slow reply. A couple of others have already responded with good advice. I have run the inlet maybe 100 times and still do the following things...

-- If I'm going first thing in the morning, I always follow one of the professionals. They are pros and run it every day. If you follow someone, some common courtesy to keep in mind: Do not ever shine a spotlight on their stern/boat as it will hurt their night vision and you'll get yelled at on the radio. Always maintain a safe distance behind the boat in front of you. Just as in a car, you should be able to come to a complete stop if they suddenly come off the throttles to avoid debris or for any other reason. If you are in the middle of a line of charter boats, you should make a reasonable effort to keep up the pace and stay with the group. The channel is narrow and in some places shallow enough that the charters boats need/want to stay on plane where they draw less water. Obviously do what ever is safest for you and your boat, but don't unnecessarily come off plane if you can avoid it.

-- if you are new to OI, you really should wait until it is light enough to fully see. It just isn't safe to get out in an area you're unfamiliar with when you can't see (no matter how bad you want to catch a tuna).

-- If it isn't convenient/possible to follow a charter, then just take it at a reasonable pace and follow the channel marks. Do not stare down at your GPS map b/c the marks will move from time to time. If you get confused (and I still sometimes do), just slow down and figure it out. I also still usually drive in a team with other crew members helping spot marks. Your full attention should be on driving, not chit-chatting or anything else.

-- In regards to the inlet itself, there's no real magic. 2 things will exascerbate the inlet: an east or north-east wind (or left-over swell) and an outgoing tide. Both combined will cause a further deterioration of conditions. In a small boat, a good rule of thumb is that you can fish any wind direction up to 10-15ish except North-East/East. The only time i would really feel comfortable fishing a north-east/east is if it was very light (10kts or less) and had not been blowing for very long. If you follow those guidelines, the inlet itself will be no big deal.

-- Regardless of wind direction, always be cautious and slow down when you reach "the bar" in the inlet. Even on calm days, there is often a small swell on the bar. This isn't a big deal if your take it thoughtfully at 1/4 throttle, but can be a surprise if you hit it at full cruise.

-- a final note, just because it's worth a mention: Don't striper fish in the breakers! It is very easy to lose track of where you are and end up turtle shelled in freezing cold water. Every winter it happens just so someone can try to catch a rockfish.

That's my take on the issue. I hope most of it is helpful, but much of it is just common-sense/good boat handling etiquette. Oregon Inlet is something to thoughtfully respect, but don't confuse that with fear that will keep you from fishing!

Ed

[SANFLEA]

Very good info , thank you so much !

[old town angler]

Hey, High Line. I was surf fishing off the end of the Jetty on the side one day and center console came around that point and hung next to the shore going south and missed all the rough water coming out. I was amazed and jealous at the same time. Have yall heard of folks doing that instead of running the channel ?

[fishtales]

Yep I have seen folks doing it but like my friend who lives down at Kitty Hawk told me about following someone " either they know exactly where to go or have no idea where to go". I just run out a few more buoys past the bar and then turn south. Not worth getting in a bind!

[flatlander]

I ran it several times last week to do some Cobia fishing along the beach. After buying a new shaft and 2 wheels for our 28 Albe ($3300) , I stay in the marked channel... PERIOD. Sunday the 4th calm sea and inlet, smooth ride out. Saturday, calm day over cast, dredger working under bridge, so took the next southern opening , no danger, waited for a 55' charter to come through on my way out. Alittle NE swell on the way out gave everyone alittle excitement. Saw some rather small boats that had me asking WTF because they were fishing around the break which was breaking nicely.

Follow the markers and if you've never been through in the daytime, follow someone you know is an experienced capt or wait until daylight. I never want to provide the opportunity to be the next training exercise for the Coast Guard.

[CaptNemo]

I'm not trying to sound like a jerk but just stay inside the channel markers! Watch the weather, pick your days and once you are out, really keep an eye on the weather and or clouds.
That wont always do it, I've seen it breaking on a 1ft bar in the center span of the bridge, everybody was going 3 spans down to the south, this has happened twice in the last year, one time I was by myself coming in and the dredge waved me south, the other time I was on a big boat with a charter and he knew to go 3 to the south.

Also as of latetly, stay to the NE of the channel as possible the south side point is where you can get into real trouble, big breakers on the bar there, learned that the hard way too.

Just because your in the channel does not mean you are safe.

You should learn to see shallow water well before coming up on it. If at night, then your screwed unless your following an expert, or have a accurate track line followed. I have run aground 4 times in the last 2 season, 3 of which were in marked channels,

Remember the shoals can build up in 24 hours, the dredges and buoy tenders do not react that fast.

[riverjanjohn]

The Lord will sometimes give us grace. I did the cut one time, turning right just past the beach where the big boats go. I WILL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!! To scary even following another boat. Like everyone says, follow the marks! Much safer! :)

[scotttaylor]

Depends!