Fishing Reports for December 30
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Washington
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)
no report this week
Marine Area 2 (Westport)
no report this week
Marine Area 3 (LaPush and Forks)
no report this week
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)
no report this week
Marine Area 5 (Sekiu)
no report this week
Marine Area 6
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) predicts “Fair” prospects for Chinook during December in Marine Area 6.
Marine Area 7
Blackmouth fishing in the “islands” has been good and since it’s not insane like some previous years we should have good fishing and a long season. Weather has been a bear this winter both on the salt and inland. We’ve had to make some cancellations but have also been able to fish some too. The best overall action on small but keep-able fish has been “on the banks”. Better grade chinook but lesser in quantity are scattered within Rosario.
More bait is available in President channel but fewer fish. It’s almost an anomaly but I expect the stars to align at some point.
Report submitted by Mark Coleman, All River and Saltwater Charters; 425-736-8920
Marine Area 8.1
no report this week
Marine Area 8.2
no report this week
Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)
no report this week
Marine Area 10
no report this week
Marine Area 11
The salmon fishing is very slow more because of weather conditions this last week or so when the weather calms down and we get more fishermen on the water we will get a better idea what the salmon fishing is like. Sunday there was an 8 pound 10 ounce blackmouth caught so as the weather gets better and anglers get out we hope to see more fish coming in Typically this time of year the best areas are the Clay banks, shelf between Pt Defiance and Pt. Dalco, Quartermaster Harbor and near Les Davis pier.
Crabbing continues to be fair with a few legal Dungeness crab being caught along with some nice Rock crab in the usual places like Quartermaster Harbor, Commencement Bay Shoreline and the Dash Pt. area. Call 253-591-5325 for an updated report.
The Squid fishing remains ok at the area docks so if you have ever wanted to try Squid fishing now is the time to do it and you can also jig Squid by boat as well. For more information call 253-591-5325. Sign up online at MetroParksTacoma.org/GO.
Polar Bear Plunge at Point Defiance Marina Boat Launch – January 1, 2016 ; Run at 11 am (1 mile Inaugural Run and Plunge ) 11:30 am Cub (Youth Ramp Plunge ) 12 noon Launch Dock Plunge ( Swimmers ) Free Event; Life jackets, Hot beverages, snack bars, heated changing tents, Point Defiance Pirates Present; information tables discounted Zoo and Aquarium passes. Volunteers needed.
Open daily from 6:30 am to 5 pm. Great Seahawks Tek Fit t shirts and hoodies in safety reflective and yellow for the Seahawks fan Call 253-591-5325 or visit us on Facebook “Point Defiance Marina.”
Report submitted by Point Defiance Marina. For more information contact: Art Tachell, Boathouse Marina Technician, 253.591.5325 art@tacomaparks.comwww.pointdefiancemarina.com.
Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal)
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) predicts “Poor” prospects for Chum, and “Fair” prospects for Coho during December in Marine Area 12.
Marine Area 13
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) predicts “Fair” prospects for Chum, and “Good” prospects for Coho during December in Marine Area 13.
Freshwater – Lake Chelan
Pepe’ Hernandez of Blueberry Hills in Manson with son Emilio and their mornings catch of Kokanee and afternoon blast of Chukar.
Winter fishing for Mackinaw continues to be hot on Lake Chelan during the Christmas holiday period. Heating up is winter Kokanee fishing around Colyar Ledge. We troll for these Lakers from 180 to 245 feet deep in the Barrens and the Trench. Fish within 3 to 5 feet of the bottom and keep your speed around .8 to 1.3 mph. Glow in the dark Smile Blades from Mack’s Lure continue to be the go to attractor here on Lake Chelan. Put those in front of a 4 inch needlefish squid rig by Silver Horde, bait them with a piece of Northern Pikeminnow and scent everything with Pautzke’s Krill Juice to keep yourself consistently into the fish. Silver Horde’s Kingfisher Lite spoons have also been productive. These fish are completely jammed full of Mysis shrimp. This in turn makes the meat especially delectable. Trolling for Kokanee in the mid-depths has worked pretty good. Your basic rig is a Mack’s Lure’s Double D Dodger in 00 to 0000 sizes with a short leader to a Mack’s Lure Mini Cha Cha Squidder. Sizing up the hooks to #4 or even #2 might improve your fish retention percentage. Bait the hooks with Pautzke’s Fire Corn to complete your ensemble. Spot mid depth arches on your sonar. We have found them from 50 feet deep to 175 feet deep. Then troll just above them at about 1.1 mph. Your fishing tip of the week is to use de icer to keep your gear functioning during these cold snaps. Having reels lock up and downriggers stick are among the many “joys” of the season when a cold snap hits. Sometimes a touch of oil on the rod eyes will help you out to. The kid’s tip of the week is to dress them in layers and have warm liquids to fight off the winter chill. Plan on shorter trips so the little ones will want to go fishing again. The safety tip of the week is to leave your lower unit in the water a minute or two before starting the engine. It will let any ice layer that has formed around the impeller to melt. That way you won’t shred your impeller and have to pay for repairs.
For more info call Anton & Sandra Jones of Darrell & Dad’s Family Guide Service;darrellanddads.com; antonj@aol.com or call (509)687-0709 or toll free at (866)360-1523. The cover image of this week’s reports was also contributed by Jones.
Freshwater – Olympic Peninsula
Our winter steelhead season has been kicked off with a BANG this winter break. We’re seeing very good numbers of hatchery steelhead on the coast and look forward to helping you catch them this week and next. The weather is on our side so the rivers will stay in perfect shape. Rates start at $185/person just use promo code UNIVERSITY at check out for discounted rate.
Report submitted by Ryan McCaughan (253-389-0359).
Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir
British Columbia
Vancouver
no report this week
Vancouver Island (Saltwater)
no report this week
Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound
no report this week
Bamfield
no report this week
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing was GOOD for anglers in East Sooke. Very few anglers were out but some springs did get caught. Most of the springs were on the small side, 2 to 4 lbs. Anglers were reporting success in the bay and over in Whirl Bay. G-force spoons were the most productive lure. However, plastic baits have been popular as well, especially in UV and/or glow patterns. The Glow/Chartreuse hootchy has been effective for springs this past week. Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in the Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were effective. For flashers, the Lemon Lime and the Purple Onion have been good. Four halibut were brought into the marina on the weekend.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Pedder Bay
Salmon fishing was GOOD this past weekend but not many anglers were out fishing. Those who did go out caught fish that were mostly in the 5-7 lb range. Most of the fish were caught close to the bottom in 120-150 feet of water in Whirl Bay or inside the bay byt the Navy Buoy. The anglers are fishing tight to the bottom are often bouncing the downrigger balls on the bottom. Small spoons, such as the G-Force, Coyote and Gypsy, in the glow and/or any bright colours were very effective. Hootchies and squirts also produced well. Flashers that remain popular include Glow green, Lemon-Lime and Purple Onion.
Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Most boats that went out after halibut caught fish. Anglers that were fishing were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Sidney
Salmon fishing was VERY SLOW near Sidney, but very few anglers have been out. We did hear of a 9 lb spring caught near Moresby, but that’s it. Most of the winter springs have been short of the minimum size for retention in previous weeks. Most anglers are fishing using anchovies in Bloody Nose and UV Green teaser heads. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and Gold Nugget. Prawning has been quite slow in Saanich Inlet as well.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Sooke
The salmon fishing was GOOD recently but very few anglers were out fishing. There are lots of undersize springs off Sooke right now and a few larger keepers. The 3”-4” Coyote, Gypsy and G-Force spoons, as well as hoochies, are the top choices for Sooke anglers. G-Force spoons in Outfitters, Irish Cream and No Bananas have been very popular. Hoochies in White Glow, Army Truck and Tiger Prawn have been catching their fair number of fish. The most popular flashers recently have been the Purple Onion, the Gibbs Outfitter and the Madi.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Ucuelet
no report this week
Victoria
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Lakes
Fishing is FAIR in most lakes. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake, but the fishing has been good for these large trout. Bass fishing is VERY SLOW. Soft plastics rigged Carolina style are working well and crank baits too. Soft plastics rigged “Carolina Style “is also a good choice when fishing drop offs and docks. The most productive colors in 4” Yum baits are Smoke or Pumpkinseed. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on Salt Spring Island is also a great lake for bass fishing.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
no report this week
Oregon
Tillamook Bay
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reports that fishing for Chinook is fair to good and that trolling herring or spinners have been the two most popular techniques. The ODFW recommends fishing he lower bay on the softer tides and further up the bay on the large swings and reminds anglers that the bay closed to wild coho retention for the rest of the year.
Great Lakes
Lake Michigan
no report this week
