 |
|
Possession Point
 Chart courtesy of Captn. Jack's www.capjack.com Click on chart for bigger view |
Possession Point
Possession Point is located on the southeast corner of Whidbey Island. However, when you fish Possession, it is actually Possession Bar where your angling takes place. Possession Bar is a huge, underwater structure of reefs that run from Possession Point, west to Scatchet Head. When we refer to Possession, we are for the most part talking about the bar.
Possession holds bait all year long and thus attracts and holds salmon all year long. Vast numbers of summer Chinook, fall Coho, Humpies and Chums pass over this bar on their return to spawn in the Snohomish, Skagit and Stillaguamish river systems. Winter Blackmouth and resident Coho also take advantage of this rich feeding area.
Possession Bar can be a rough area to fish, as the water is very exposed to the wind. The water can quickly become very rough, especially if you have a big tide change coupled with a south wind. The angler with a small boat must be aware of the possibility of rapidly changing sea conditions.
Fishing Possession is very dependent on the tides. As the incoming or outgoing tides sweep across the bar, the baitfish are pushed across the bar and the salmon will follow the bait.
| Where to
fish: |
Area 1: East Side of Possession This is best fished on the incoming tide until one hour after tide change. Fish for Chinook and Blackmouth in the lower 10 feet of your water depth. Try to stay in 90 to 150 feet of water. The bar drops off sharply here and is rocky.
 Chart courtesy of Captn. Jack's www.capjack.com
|
Area 2: West Side of Possession Fish from the southern end of the bar towards Scatchet Head. Once again, try to stay in the bottom 10 feet of water depth and in 90 to 150 feet of water.
 Chart courtesy of Captn. Jack's www.capjack.com
|
Area 3: Often referred to as the outer bar. This can be fished on either tide. This is a productive area, as the hole formed by the protective reef structure creates a holding area for bait. Downrigger fishermen must be very aware that once you see the bottom start to climb, you must (1) immediately start your turn to head back out or (2) bring up your downrigger, or both. While many a downrigger ball has been left here, it is a consistent producer of salmon.
 Chart courtesy of Captn. Jack's www.capjack.com
|
Area 4: Although Possession is primarily best fished by trolling; moochers and jiggers can do very well by drifting the outer two-thirds of the bar. Start your drift on the east side of the bar on the outgoing tide and the west side of the bar on the incoming tide. Try to stay in the 60 to 100 foot depths. Possession Bar has numerous holes and dips on top of the bar. Keep in the bottom 10 foot of water and let the tidal flow take you to the salmon.
 Chart courtesy of Captn. Jack's www.capjack.com
|
Area 5: Close to Possession Point itself, it is usually referred to by local anglers as the Bait Box hole. This area sits on the edge of a very sharp drop off. Shore anglers casting Buzz Bombs and other weighted jigs can often catch salmon here on the incoming tide.
Boat anglers (moochers and jiggers) will do well on the outgoing tide. They should start in 40 feet of water and let the tide drift them out over the drop offs. They will find they are very close to shore.
Trollers can fish this area in 50 to 100 feet of water. Most downrigger fishermen prefer to bypass this spot and fish the bar itself.
The Bait Box hole is best fished early in the morning or just before dark.
When Coho are in this area, start your early morning angling efforts between 25 to 65 feet deep. As the sun moves higher, drop down to 90 to 150 feet for Coho.
 Chart courtesy of Captn. Jack's www.capjack.com
|
| What
lures to use: |
| Where to
launch: |
Possession Beach Ramp – Has a seasonal dock and rest rooms. A small fee is charged for launching. This is a nice single lane launch. It has a good slope and traction.
Norton Street Ramp & Everett Marine Park This is the best launch on Puget Sound, with multi ramps and docks. Ample parking is available. The ramps have a good slope and excellent traction. A breakwater provides protection from wind and weather. Fee required.
Mukilteo Ramp – This is the worst boat launch on Puget Sound. It is very exposed to wind and boat traffic. There is a small seasonal dock. During very low tides, your trailer wheels may drop off the end of the ramp. Fee required.
Tom Nelson
|
||||||
