Fishing Reports for February 17
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Washington
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)
no report this week
Marine Area 2 (Westport)
With the Ling Cod season opener just a month away I always get excited about preparing gear and planning trips. I was looking through pictures from last year and came across the one above. A day of Ling Cod and Sea Bass fishing can be a blast and a bit frustrating too. There are days that you can see the fish on your screen but they just don’t seem hungry and nothing you do seems to turn on the bite. Just be patient.
Shrimp Flies, Small Metal jigs, and bait all will work but, some days one is a better producer than the others. Make sure you have a variety of baits when headed out. I use 6 to 12 ounces of lead and a dropper style rig.
I took this screen shot (left) of my Simrad NSS EVO2 CHIRP unit just to show how well fish will show up. I have been using it for a year now and I am very impressed.
Clamming continues to be closed in the Westport – Grayland area. My guess is we will not see a dig this spring in our area. The Long beach area is open for Razor Clams. Crabbing continues to be good both from the docks and out in the bay. Fresh bait is the key here.
As always Have Fun, Be Safe, and I’ll see you in Westport.
Report by Kevin Lanier, owner of KC Sportfishing Charters 425-328-8558, President PSA Ocean Anglers, VP PSA State Board. Photos by Cyndi Lanier, Owner of Dockside Art,Gifts,and Tackle Westport Wa. 425-328-8559.
no report this week
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)
no report this week
Marine Area 5 (Sekiu)
no report this week
Marine Area 6
no report this week
Marine Area 7
Salmon fishing was fair to slow this past week in the San Juan Islands. The fish are really not sticking in one spot. Here today, gone tomorrow. You may have a poor day, fair day, or good day, but hey, at least it’s a day on the water! There are some nice Blackmouth to be had, you just have to hunt for them.
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
Point Defiance Marina Fishing Report- Since the salmon fishing has reopened in marine area 11 the fishing has been very slow with little participation, this time of year trolling flasher and spoons, artificial squid or herring at depths between 120’ to 160’ of water can be successful you have to be patient and cover lots of water some popular areas to fish are the entrance to inside of Quarter Master Harbor, the Slag area, the Les Davis Pier area and Clay Bank area find the bait and work that area over. For latest information call (253)591-5325
Crabbing is now closed in Area 11
Basic Fishing Classes (Adults 15+) Cost $10 March 5, 2016 10 am to 12 noon at Point Defiance Marina. Pre-register at MetroParksTacoma.org/GO or call 253-591-5325 Learn beginning fundamentals for fresh and salt water angling including regulations, equipment, tackle, rigging, knots, casting, fish identification, landing and care for fish.
Basic Fishing Classes (Youth 8+) Parent or guardian welcome to register and learn with their youth . Cost $10 April 2, 2016 10 am to 12 noon at Point Defiance Marina. Pre-register at MetroParksTacoma.org/GO or call 253-591-5325 Learn beginning fundamentals for fresh and salt water angling including regulations, equipment, tackle, rigging, knots, casting, fish identification, landing and care for fish.
Open daily from 6:30 am to 6:00 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”
Pier Peer in Tacoma –See and touch creatures brought up from local divers. Participate in plankton and sea life netting to view the variety we have in Puget Sound as you learn about these amazing creatures from Tacoma Nature Center and Point Defiance Marina educators. Saturday, March 5, 2016 from 7:30-9 pm Cost $8 For ages 8+. Every youth needs an adult chaperone. Complementary Hot Chocolate and Coffee.
Sign up online at MetroParksTacoma.org/pier-peer or 253-591-5325.
Start collecting those Swap Meet items for the Point Defiance Marina Swap Meet on Saturday, May 21, 2016 from 10 am to 3 pm. Covered Space will be limited…A great way to clear up your lockers or garages with tackle and gear others may really need. No firearms, bullets, tobacco, or alcohol products. Contact Information: Gene Anderson (253) 591-5325 or genea@tacomaparks.com
• Register Now for a 10 X 10 Space
• Space is limited. Deadline to register May 19, 2016 . Registration form required and can be obtained at PDM Boathouse
• Cost: $15.00 PDM Locker Tenants receive $5 off
• No admission fee for shoppers
• Tables can be rented to sellers at $5 per table. Must reserve in advance at PDM Boathouse.
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 “Good” prospects for Coho during February in Marine Area 12.
Marine Area 13
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) predicts “Good” prospects for Coho during February in Marine Area 13.
Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir
This weekend I had good reason to celebrate. First and foremost my son Scott brought his family to celebrate my Valentine birthday and, secondly, to share with them two days of a very quality fishery. We have a lake we walk into this time and shore fish. It is about a mile walk in and at times a rough trail. In two days we landed 13 very quality rainbows with the smallest being 17-inches and the largest 20-incehs. Pictured is the Saturday catch with granddaughters Ellie and Bridgette and myself.
Potholes has seen several boats on the water with some perch over by Perch Point. Several fishermen have been fishing off the dam face for bass with others fishing in deeper water about 40 feet deep for Walleye. This week brings wind and rain, things I left when we moved over from the west side.
Yesterday, as we started to pull in our driveway, we stopped abruptly as there were 12 deer in my side and back yard. Exciting way to end the weekend. Now we are for a short while at the mercy of the weather.
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
20.8 lb spring from the Trap shack
Salmon fishing was GOOD for anglers in East Sooke. The largest salmon of the week was a 20.8 lb spring caught near the Trap Shack by Bob Pearson. Most of the fish from that area have been a lot smaller than that one. Anglers were reporting lots of springs in the bay just out from the Cheanuh Marina breakwater. Anchovies in glow teaser heads have been very effective in luring the winter springs. Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in Cop Car, Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were effective. For flashers, the Madi, Lemon Lime and Purple Onion have been good.
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, just like last week. There were lots of springs in the 3-5 lb range but larger fish are more scattered. The trolling pattern has been doing figure eights between the Deep Hole and the Can Buoy. The anglers are fishing close to the bottom and often bouncing the downrigger balls on the bottom, in 120-150 feet of water. There is still a lot of bait right inside the bay. 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. And you can’t go wrong fishing anchovies in a Bloody Nose teaser.
Halibut fishing was SLOW over the weekend. Best areas were Race Rocks, William Head and Constance Bank. 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 Mudraker, Lucky 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
Larry Dalziel with a 14 lb spring from Sidney
Salmon fishing was FAIR near Sidney. There were three 14 lb springs landed this past week. Coal Island and Sidney Spit produced the fish. The majority of the winter springs caught recently have been short of the minimum size for retention and most areas have some fish. 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.
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 for winter springs this past week. There are lots of small 2-5 lb springs off Sooke right now but not too many larger fish. It’s been good around the 140 foot contour. 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 Lemon Lime.
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
Fishing for salmon was GOOD off Victoria. The fish were plentiful near Albert Head (on the pinnacles) and near Esquimalt, but were not very large. Constance Bank has been good and Brotchie Ledge to Ross Bay has also produced some fish. The Esquimalt Anglers held an informal salmon derby on the weekend and Gary Bromley won it with an 11.4 lb spring. It just edged an 11.1 lb spring to take the top prize. Spoons and squirts were successful in getting hook ups. Bloody Nose and Purple Haze have been the most popular colors for teaser heads. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and White Glow. Coho Killers, AP Needlefish, G Force and Coyote spoons in Green Splatterback, Moon Glow and Cop Car colours have also been good. The Purple Onion, Lemon Lime and Madi.
Halibut fishing was GOOD over the weekend. There were quite a few halibut taken at Constance Bank on the weekend. Wayne Boyd brought in a 132 cm, 68.4 lb halibut to take the first place on our Halibut Leader Board. Alexander Janssen brought in a nice 131 cm, 58.5 lb halibut for second place. 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 Mudraker, Lucky 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
Lakes
Trout fishing was FAIR on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. Cowichan Lake has produced some large cutthroat trout for those trolling 3” plugs, but that is strictly a catch and release fishery for large trout. Takin Marvasti went fishing on Monday at lda Anne Lake in Langford and caught a 20”, 3 pound 5 oz female rainbow trout on Powerbait.
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 catch-and-release for sturgeon may be good and recommends fishing the channel edges on the outgoing tides.
Great Lakes
Lake Michigan
no report this week
