Striped Bass

Targeting striped bass near Seaside, Oregon, presents a unique challenge as they are not as prevalent here as in their native East Coast waters. Your best bet is focusing on the lower Nehalem River and Tillamook Bay, where they occasionally venture into the brackish waters. Fall can be a productive time as stripers follow salmon runs. A key local tip is to target areas near the Highway 101 bridge on the Nehalem, as the structure can hold fish. Also, try casting swimbaits or crankbaits that imitate salmon smolts. Keep in mind the striped bass population here is relatively small, so catch and release is encouraged to help sustain the fishery. Be prepared for varying water conditions, as the rivers can be heavily influenced by rainfall.