Striped Bass

Bay City, Oregon, offers a unique opportunity to target Striped Bass in a coastal environment where the Tillamook Bay meets the Pacific. The fall months are prime time as stripers follow migrating baitfish into the bay and its tributaries. Focus your efforts around the mouths of the Kilchis and Wilson Rivers, where these fish stage to feed. Natural presentations are key here; herring imitations and bucktail jigs are popular choices. Water clarity can vary greatly, so adjust your lure color and size accordingly. A local tip: the Garibaldi boat basin provides excellent access to the lower bay, but be mindful of the tides, as strong currents can develop quickly. The striped bass here tend to be opportunistic feeders, so experiment with different retrieves to find what triggers a bite.