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Ask the Pros
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Specific
area, run timing questions – Puget Sound
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Q: Hey John,
Bill from Renton PSA. Looking for a little info on springers in area 13.
Thinking about hitting it this weekend. Just wondering if it is a decent size
run and when they start to show? Also how you guys are doing for blackmouth.
Any other info? Hope you guys had fun at the seminar. Talk at ya later.
Bill
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A: Bill,
The run of springers is small in the south sound, out of a full of week fishing
we're usually lucky to harvest 2. The blackmouth fishing has been pretty good.
We took some nice fish down near Anderson Island on the tide change. John
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Q: Hey,
Great Site! Very informative and I look forward to your updates. I'm planning
to head out next weekend (May 18th), hopefully to find some halibut and ling
cod. We have a Seasport 24 and plan to dump in at Fort Casey or Cornet Bay on
Whidbey Island. Any suggestions on where to go? I've heard of decent reports
from Middle Bank, but don't really know exactly how far this is or how to fish
there. I guess more importantly, is there a better place to go to pick up some
halibut? Please let me know as we're novices when it comes to fishing (although
we had a great season last year with Pinks, Silvers, lings and rock fish.)
Halibut is one species we've never fished for in Puget Sound. Thanks in advance
for the advice, Rob & Lew
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A: In reply
to your question, Middle Bank is located on the Canadian border just southwest
of False Bay on San Juan Island (or directly west of Salmon Bank). GPS
coordinates are North 48 degrees, 24 minutes by West 123 degrees, 8 minutes.
The western half of the bank is in Canadian waters, so if you cross the border
you will be checked for license by Canadian Fisheries. Middle bank holds
halibut, especially along the southern edges. Another spot you might try is
Admirality Inlet itself. However, there has been a problem with tribal
bottom-dragging and, as I have not had a chance to fish it myself this year, I
don't know if it has effected this area or not. Tom
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Q: Hi John,
Just curious on you thoughts for the area 11 opener on July 1st. Would it be
best to target blackmouth near the bottom or try for summer/fall kings in the
suspended water, say from 50-80 feet? Thanks, Travis
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A: Travis, I
would target blackmouth on the bottom in the typical 120ft. water until about
20 July then I would go fall king hunting looking for the those suspended fish
returning from the ocean. Gook Luck John
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Q: Hi, I
live on Fox Island and do my fishing from Vashon south. I am somewhat new to
the sport. I was wondering of you knew of a book that has information on most
or all of the salmon fishing areas in the south sound. I'm looking for times
various fish runs arrive and where they normally are located. Thanks, Brad
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A: Brad,
there is not a lot of information (good books) on the South Sound. That's one
of the main reasons we started the Salmon University Web Page. Keep checking
the page for more information on fishing your area.
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Q: John,
what large salmon run comes thru the south sound in August? Where are these
fish headed? This run usually hits Point Robinson approx 8/14-8/24. Last
several years have been pretty good. South Sound salmon fishing in July seems
to be rather "spotty". Any tips for July salmon fishing the South Sound
(covering area between 3 Tree and Point Defiance)? Thanks for your help. Hope
your charter business is doing well. Paul
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A: Paul, The
runs heading for the South Sound during August are primarily heading to the
Puyallup & Nisqually Rivers and of course Chambers Creek near Steilacoom.
As far as Point Robinson most of the fish go right pass it so you should see
good fishing again there this year. As far as fishing Three Tree Point we will
have a map coming out soon, keep watching for updates on the SU page. I would
concentrate on blackmouth until the middle of July then target the fall kings.
The Charter business is doing great we have 10-12 calls a day for salmon trips!
Capt. John
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Q: Hello
John- I have been fishing from the dock at Redondo since July 1st. I have been
going near dusk and I have been using a pink and white 3.5 in. Buzz Bomb. I
have not caught anything but a herring. Do you have any suggestions on using
Buzz Bombs from the pier at Redondo. Am I using the right color, size or should
I try using an entirely different method altogether? Could you please list some
spots to fish from the pier or from shore along with some methods and suggested
tackle. Thank you for the fantastic and informative site. Jim
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A: Jim, dock
fishing is a tough game. Sounds like you're doing the right thing with the Buzz
bombs you will start catching more salmon when the silvers start to show later
in the summer. JK
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Q: I’m
curious if you could recommend some areas where I might land Kings/Silvers from
the shore. Specifically, areas of beach and rock and not piers or docks. Thanks
and great website! Johnathan
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A: Jonathan,
I'm not much of a beach angler. I do know that many locals park under the
Tacoma Narrows bridge on the Gig Harbor side and walk down and fish Pt. Evans
with Buzz Bombs for coho in late summer. Watch the tides, a very high tide and
you will be wading back!! Capt. John
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Q: First of
all, I wanted to commend you and John for your truly outstanding web site. As
both an enthusiastic amateur salmon fisherman AND a big internet user, I am
thrilled to have found your site (while search for fishing maps). I have always
wondered when I would be lucky enough to be able to benefit from on-line
conveniences in the course of planning my fishing trips and now I can. Your
site is fantastic and I have already learned some very interesting things from
reading your "ask the pros" column.
Next, here is my question, about the
Elliot Bay fishery (which it appears that you were the one to do the write-up
on). When fishing what you call "area 4" inside of Elliot Bay (the mouth of the
Duwamish), I wonder if you have any feelings about which tides are optimal to
fish. You explain about changing from one side of the Duwamish Head to the
other (something I did for years at Possession, before they closed it for
Chinook). But what about right at the mouth of a river like the Duwamish. One
the one hand, it seems that the high tide might be best because each incoming
tide could bring in a rush of new kings. On the other hand, the fish might pile
up at the mouth during the lower tides, waiting for the rush of new water to
give them a "push" into the river, thereby creating catch opportunities at the
low tide. What are your thoughts on the best tides for fishing the mouth of the
Duwamish? Thanks very much and best regards, Jeremy
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A: Hi
Jeremy, The answer to your question is yes. You have the concept firmly in
mind. I really don't have a preference for the tides. I have found that for
winter blackmouth the incoming tide is better. For summer Chinook, either tide
seems to work. The fish will move on the outgoing tide to deeper water. Of
course, the best time to fish is an hour before and an hour after tide changes.
Tom
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Q: John: I
have some friends coming up from Oregon. and I want to take them fishing August
3. My question is between the two areas of the mouth of Puyallup river and
Point Defiance what do you think has the better chance catching a fish. Thank
you, Gordy.
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A: Gordy, We
normally fish between the buoys with the gear 20-25 ft. behind the riggers down
60 ft. Good luck Capt. John
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Q: John:
I've been away for two weeks. Just returned from Buoy 10 and trying to get a
handle on the South Sound fishery. Has the run showed up? I tried fishing the
Puyallup mouth the day it opened and I caught nothing, nor did I see anyone
catch anything. Has it improved? I've not heard of many Coho yet...but the
expectation was for a banner year. We saw almost no Coho at buoy 10 - kings
only. Going out tomorrow...any suggestion on the best place??? Chad
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A: My
feeling is the king run is late this year, not much water in the rivers yet. I
have still been catching bright kings as of yesterday. So far they have been
just tricking into the South Sound. Capt. John
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| Q: John, I
am relatively new to the west coast, that being said these Sinclair Inlet Kings
have me stumped. I have dragged skirts at 1.5 mph - 3 mph, I have trolled
cross current and with the current, green flashers, pink flashers, dodgers,
green hoochies, plug cut herring (blue and green), whole herring, live shiner
perch, dead shiner perch 36" - 44" leaders and every combo in-between all to no
avail. I have seen numerous people catching doing everything I have tried.
I am about 5 minutes away from trying TNT (I know that will work but I'll
wind up in jail), is there a trick to catching these "terminal fish" Help
me out before I quit fishing. Bill |
A: I would
try purple size herring trolled very slow off the downrigger. Capt. John
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Q: Hey John,
love the webpage, one of the best around. Just wondering if I could get some up
to date tips for fishing the Tacoma area this weekend? Are the fish still
running deep, or have they moved up any. Has any one area been more productive
than any others. Thanks again for the information and the site. Bryan
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A: The fish
are still filtering into the Tacoma area they seem a little late this year.
Watch the SU site for Area 11 & 13 current fishing reports. Capt. John
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Q: Hi Tom,
You've helped me out before. I have a couple of questions please. First of all.
I have yet to hook up on a King with a Flasher/Hoochie combination. I hear all
sorts of different variations but the most significant is the length from the
Flasher to the Hoochie. I'm using 40lb mono at 40 inches with a Green Glow Hot
Spot and a Green Spatter Back Hoochie. I also add a strip of Herring and Smelly
Jelly. Can you suggest something different or just keep trying. I've got most
my fish from Fresh Cut plug herring but it's hard to find unless I go to the
Pt. Defiance Boat House. I also have caught all my fish before 8:00 AM fishing
down only 50 - 65ft at the Slag Pile. After 8:00 I haven't had a hit. Should I
be fishing deeper? How deep? Also, I'm trying to learn how to fish the mouth of
the Puyallup. Everyone keeps telling me not to fish deeper than 60 ft. Is there
a reason for this or do you agree with this philosophy? Can you give me any
hints for this area? Thanks for all your help. Terry
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A: Terry,
Try to lengthen your leader for Summer Chinook to 44 to 48 inches. Summer
Chinook require a longer leader. Once the sun is on the water, Chinook tend to
go deeper. I would suggest you fish from 90 to 150 ft deep. As for your
question on the Puyallup, the reason people fish shallower in this area is that
the silt coming out of the Puyallup River floats on top of the water and the
fish seem to lay just underneath this cover. Watch your electronics as it does
shallow up here. If a lot of gear is going through the area it sometimes drives
the Chinook to deeper water. You might also want to try the area in front of
the Hylebos Waterway. Hope this has been of some help to you. Tom
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Q: Hey I'm
wondering how to catch the salmon from the Steilacoom ferry dock. And what time
of day should I try it at?? Friends of mine say that its good at night but if I
can go in the morning or day I would like to do that, too. Thanks, Matt
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A: Matt, I
have never fished from the dock at Steilacoom, however if it is similar to
fishing from other piers and docks throughout Puget Sound, early morning or
late evening would be the prime times. Chinook tend to move in very close to
the shoreline at these times of day. Coho could be picked up all day long, but
fishing would probably be best on the high tide.
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| Q: I would
like to know where to go for the best chances on a king or two. I live in
Puyallup, WA. I have a Tide Runner with a 90 hp and a 9.9 4 stroke. its a cuddy
about 18 feet. I have been launching at the narrows and going up and fishing
the mouth of the Puyallup. No luck at all this year, zip, nothing...I use allot
of herring with hot spot flashers. this year I have been using the herring
hoods, they produce excellent spin action. I am seeing very few fish caught.
Its been frustrating this year. Where can I go to get a better chance at some
fish, kings or silvers. I would even drive a few hours to do so. I need some
advise. time is running out. I got to catch some salmon. |
A: Scott,
fishing has been tougher around Tacoma this summer, when the fish move through
we do real well on the charters, in between the runs you have to put your time
in on the water and just keep hammering it to score fish. I have seen fish
everyday coming into Narrows where are charter boats are based. I don't spend
much time at the Puyallup River mouth, I do fish the Clay Banks a lot. It
sounds like you're using the right tackle, just stick with it. As far as
traveling the Columbia, it is hot for kings right now, but only a one fish
limit, and Sekiu or Neah Bay would be the hot bed for coho fishing. Tight
Lines, Capt. John
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Q: Hi Tom, I
read where you had given some great advice about halibut fishing in Admiralty
Inlet. I was wondering if there is any place in the sound were I can fish for
halibut from a 12ft. aluminum smoker craft with a 6 h.p. motor. I've heard
rumors that Mutiny Bay holds halibut. Is there any truth to that. This site is
terrific. Thank You, John
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A: John,
Mutiny Bay does hold the occasional halibut. Unfortunately the halibut fishing
usually doesn't open until May. The weather is quite unsettled then, so you
would have to be very careful going out in a 12' boat. On a nice day, keeping
your eye on the weather, you could fish for halibut there. Be very careful.
Tom
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Q: Hi John,
I've had a very successful year fishing for chinook in the Nisqually area, and
a great year fishing coho in Sekui. I have not had good success fishing coho in
the Nisqually/Anderson Island area. How big is the run? (Is it worth my time?),
I typically use dodger/hoochie set-ups in the top third of the water column,
should I stick with that in this area? And what area should I target for these
fish? Lyle point, staircase, or Nisqually reach? Thanks for keeping up such a
good web-site, I know you've helped me with a my fishing this year, Craig.
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A: Craig,
there is a fair run due into the south sound, most of those fish should show in
a next few weeks. A little rain would help matters quite a bit. Your tackle
choice and fishing technique should work fine. Good Luck Capt. John
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Q: I usually
fish right by Deception Pass and have been out of town for a few weeks, I was
wondering what that area has been like lately. Also why isnt the area on your
fishing reports page? Mike
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A: Mike, not
all marine areas in the state are on the fishing reports page. As our
advertising staff locate more business willing to advertise on SU we will start
including new areas on the fishing reports page. We tend to only post first
hand reports that we trust to bring you the best information possible. Stay
tuned what you see on the Salmon University Page is only a small amount of
what's coming in the future Best wishes, Capt. John
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Q: Hello
there my name is Brandon, I'm from Renton, WA I'm a very big fishing nut. I
went to your web site and looked up the advise u gave on how to fish the Mid
Channel Bank in port townsend and it worked perfect i used a coho killer green
with white double glow and a green hot spot flasher and rode the bottom i got
two bits that day the first one i missed but the second one i hammered it
was a 15 pound hog i cant thank u enough now my next questions is how do i get
my picture in the fishing and hunting news? anyway thanks for the great advise
and the mid channel bank is hot right now ive since cought two more nice 8
pounders. Sincerely, Brandon
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A: Brandon,
nice fish, glad the SU site helped you out. I'd send the picture in to F&H
for possible print. In future try for a close up of the fish and the angler,
not so much of the boat in the photo. Best wishes, Capt. John
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Q: Hey John,
I want to go Chum fishing next week at the Nisqually Tide Flats, is there any
still around? Thomas
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A: Thomas,
they're still plenty of chums around, however with the rains many of them have
started moving up the river now. Capt. John
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Q: Hello,
can I assume that the reason that there is no info on fishing Hood Canal is
because there are very few fish? I have noticed in the regs that the limit is 4
fish. If it is good fishing where are the likely spots? Thank you, Larry.
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A: Larry, we
will be putting out a map on Hood Canal sometime this year. Yes there are fish
there and the canal did had a pretty fair summer chinook season. Keep checking
the SU web page there will be lots of new maps in 2003.
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| Q: Hi John,
I've only lived in Washington a short time, coming from the east coast and I'm
a rookie when it comes to salmon fishing, only catching silver's and pink's off
the beach on Whidbey Island the past two years. I'm very interested in fishing
year round and when I see you reports that "blackmouths" are running, I would
like to go out to try and catch some. What species are "blackmouths"? Can you
catch them off the beach, and if so, how and where? (buzz bombs, ect.?) Can you
help me with a few simple guidelines or where I can get some advice? Thanks for
your help. Don |
| A: Don, I
don't do much fishing from the bank, I do know some fish are caught by casting
Buzz Bombs for blackmouth. I would check with your local tackle store for more
information, or attend your local Puget Sound Anglers Chapter meeting and ask
around. Capt. John |
Q: Hi John,
my name is Adrian. My buddy just bought a boat and we would like to know the
best time, area and species of fish to go after between the begining of January
and end of March? Can you help us out? It sounds like Pt. Defiance/Dalco are
good in the late summer and fall but not sure about winter. Thanks Adrian
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A: Adrian,
Pt. Defiance has been pretty steady for keeper fish all winter, we have had
steady limits on our boats. Mid Channel has been a slow starter but should pick
up soon. I would watch the SU fishing reports page it's updated every Thursday
with current information. Capt. John
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| Q: I just
bought a place near Misery Point on Hoods Canal and have had no luck catching
salmon. I fish Point Defiance and seem to have no problem getting a fish
or two. I have been using the same technique on the canal as in Tacoma
but I end up skunked every time. Are there any techniques or hot spots
around Misery Point, Seabeck area that would help end my frustration? Thanks,
Justin |
| A: Justin,
Hood Canal is a tough area to fish, especially this year with the low 02 level
in the south end. I would suggest you call Mark at the Seabeck Marina
(360-830-5179) and pump him for some local knowledge. Good Luck, Capt.
John |
| Q: Dear
John, I recently read a book about tidewater bobber fishing for salmon. It is
primarily geared towards Oregon, where it seems to be pretty popular.
Basically, the run a mooching rig below a bobber. Have you seen this method
used in the south sound area? If so, what areas would you recommend. I don't
have a boat and wondered if this method would be appropriate off the local
piers. Thanks, Rick |
| A: Rex, They
use bobber style of fishing for chums a lot in the south sound during late
Oct-Nov. near river mouths. I have seen it used off some of the local fishing
piers like Dash Point dock and Les Davis pier in Tacoma. I would also try the
river mouth near the Nisqually when its open. Good luck Capt. John |
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