Fishing Reports for May 4
Washington
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)
no report this week
Marine Area 2 (Westport)
The long awaited Halibut and Deep water opener arrived in Westport this week and it did not disappoint. The seas were nice, the sun was out, the fish were hungry, and the Lings were huge.
We left the inlet a little after 5am and headed West/Northwest for 35 miles to “the spot.” With very little wind and a great ocean for May we were able to maintain 20 knots throughout most of the run. As soon as we arrived and the baits hit the bottom BAM! it happened. Within 15 minutes we were hooked up and the first Halibut of 2016 hit the deck. A small but respectful 20 pounder goes in the box. The rest on the day did not slow down and more than once we had 4 fish on at a time. Makes my job interesting! We ended the day with 7 Halibut 3 of which were just over 40 pounds and 14 Ling Cod between 15 and 40 pounds. A pretty good day I think.
Like I said earlier the ling cod were the biggest I have ever seen. Our second Ling of the day was the biggest ling ever to come aboard my boat. Funny though, that fish wound up being our fourth largest fish of the day. 3 more were bigger with the biggest coming in at around 44 pounds. WOW!!!! that was mine by the way.
All in all it was a Great day and most of the fish came on Bait, large Herring, with and few coming on Pipe jigs. We used Silver Horde Octopus skirts over the Herring and the fish just could not leave them alone. Slow drifting is the key but not too slow. Make sure you have a Descender device on board and use it. They are free from any PSA chapter. Look for ledges and humps in otherwise flat water and work the area. When using bait do not be too quick to set the hook, lettem; eat it.
More Halibut fishing will be available next Sunday and Tuesday in Westport with the North Coast opening up later in the week. The season is absurdly short so better get while the getting is there!!.
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. The cover image of this week’s reports was also contributed by Cyndi Lanier.
no report this week
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Lingcod fishing is expected to be “Excellent” in Marine Area 5 during May.
Salmon University staff
Marine Area 5 (Sekiu)
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Cabezon and Lingcod fishing is expected to be “Excellent” in Marine Area 5 during May.
Salmon University staff
Marine Area 6
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Cabezon and Lingcod fishing is expected to be “Excellent” in Marine Area 6 during May.
Salmon University staff
Marine Area 7
We hit Area 7 Sunday for the opener. Couldn’t keep the rock fish off the hook. Fishing with a lead head jig. Finally got a keeper ling to play ball right before the tide change.
Report submitted by Dane of Team Rod-Dog Arches. The cover image of this week’s fishing reports was also contributed by Dane.
Marine Area 8.1
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reports “Excellent” prospects for cutthroat in Marine Area 8.1 during May.
Salmon University Staff
Marine Area 8.2
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reports “Excellent” prospects for cutthroat, and “Good” prospects for halibutin Marine Area 8.2 during May.
Salmon University Staff
Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reports “Poor” prospects for Chinook and Coho in Marine Area 9 during April.
Marine Area 10
no report this week
Marine Area 11
The Salmon fishing is closed for all water from area 5 thru area 13. The sole and flounder fishing is fair.
The Ling Cod fishing started off slow but picked up today. There were about 30 boats out opening day and only about 6 Ling Cod brought in. Today one boat made 4 drifts and hooked 3 ling cod; two were legal and one just short of the 26″ to 36 inch size limit. Large Live herring is the best method to catch ling cod. Toliva Shoals and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge areas are the most popular, be careful when handling rockfish they must go back.
Lingcod season is open 5/01/2016 and ends 6/15/2016 for lingcod 26-36 inches. All others must be released. Limited to fish 120 feet of water or less
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.
Basic Fishing Classes (adults 15+) Cost $10 May 28, 2016 10 am to 12 noon at Point Defiance Marina. Pre-register 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 Trailering Class Learn the basic fundaments of care, proper and safe trailer connections, towing, launching, docking, and returning the boat to the trailer and the trip home. Saturday, April 16, 2016 10 am to 12 noon@ Point Defiance Marina Complex Cost $20 – Questions: Gene Anderson (253)591-5325; genea@tacomaparks.com
ABC Boater’s Education Classes Wednesdays 7-9 pm May 4- June 1, 2016 Taught by Tacoma Power Squadron Learn what you will need to be a safe boater and receive your mandatory WA State Parks Boater’s Education Card. Cost $50 (Includes a student manual, CD, and an introductory navigation software CD from RosePoint Navigation) – Questions: Gene Anderson (253)591-5325; genea@tacomaparks.com
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 genea@tacomaparks.com
(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.com www.pointdefiancemarina.com.
Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal)
no report this week
Marine Area 13
Salmon fishing is closed indefinitely in Marine Area 13. According to the WDFW, Marine Areas 11, 12 and 13 will remain closed to halibut fishing “to protect threatened and endangered rockfish species. ”
Salmon University staff
Freshwater – Lake Chelan
Dr. Daniel Cook of Lakewood, WA with his brother, Tim Cook of Butte Des Morts, WI and Dr. Dan’s granddaughter, Lauren Arnold (11) also of Lakewood.
What continues hot is trolling near the Yacht Club on Lake Chelan for numbers of Lake Trout. Also hot is the Manson Bay bite for Lake Trout. The Kokanee bite continues spotty during this reporting period except for the early morning bite. Finally, Wapato Lake has been pumping out some respectable Rainbow Trout.
On Chelan, Lake Trout bit trolled presentations above the Yacht Club that were pulled at about 1.1mph very close to the bottom in water that was 180 to 240 feet deep. This has been especially good during the first couple hours of light. Jeff’s Drift’s baited with a piece of Northern Pikeminnow was the best producer. Later in the morning the face of Manson Bay has produced well with the same presentation at the same depths.
The Kokanee bite continues somewhat slower than it’s peak but some are being caught in the trench, along the face of Mill Bay, up at the Yacht Club and over by the Monument. The best bite is at first light.
Gary House of Othello, WA with his son-in-law, Al Mullings and grandkids, Vivian (7); Wyatt (12) and birthday boy, Garrett (14) Mullings, all of Ellensburg, WA
My spies report that Wapato Lake continues strong after the opener for quality 14” to 16” ‘bows. Both trolling and still fishing have been productive. The cutthroat bite on Chelan has been especially productive in the Mill Bay area.
Your fishing tip of the week is to keep in mind a couple simple items to improve your fishing success on Lake Chelan. First, for our deepwater trolling replace those pinch pad downrigger releases with Sam’s Pro Releases from Silver Horde. They are simple, effective and prevent false releases. Second, try sickle hooks by Matzuo. Their shape seems to keep fish buttoned up, and their somewhat softer construction allows you to straighten them on snags to avoid losing entire rigs.
The kid’s tip of the week is to get them involved in the process. Don’t just tie your leaders. Teach them and have them tie one up. Compliment them in front of others when they do a good job. Have them reel in to check your baits. The busier they are, the happier they will be. Boredom sets in early for the younger set that is conditioned to constant stimulation.
The safety tip of the week is basic launch and retrieval etiquette. If you need to rig your boat after arrival before you launch, pull into a parking spot and rig. Don’t rig your boat blocking launch lanes. If you are having difficulty launching or retrieving, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Most experienced boaters are more than willing to help if they know you need assistance.
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.
Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir
Temperatures are reaching a new plateau with temperatures this week reaching into the low 80’s. This will bring out a lot of bugs that are feeding the juvenile fish that just hatched. Also, pay attention to your body after a walk in the desert and check out all body parts for ticks. This year we are seeing more then normal. Get some tick and mosquito spray and use it.
The level of the lake seems to be leveling out and right now the water is as clear as I have seen it. In the meantime the seep lakes have a lot of algae bloom making the boat ramps very slippery. With the potholes being high there is a lot of water to spread the fish out, Most of the fishermen I have talked to feel lucky that in a boat it seems like 2 to 3 fish is the norm on Walleye. The bass fishing seems to be good with most fishermen enjoying the pursuit and release so the fish will be there next to catch again. All ramps on the Potholes are very useable with the high water.
Report submitted by Tom Pollack.
British Columbia
Vancouver
Been an interesting couple weeks with quite a few different areas producing some nice chinook up to 25 pounds. Some tides are better than others, but most days we are seeing consistent results.
We have covered lots of water in recent weeks. The nice thing about this time of year is there is so many areas that hold feeding chinook salmon. Howe Sound, Vancouver Harbour, the Hump, QA marker, the Bell Boy and the Gulf Island’s have all seen good action from day to day. Having a good quality sounder sure helps this time of year as it is always helpful to mark bait and individual salmon. On the Vancouver side we have found that the 75 to 120 foot range seems to be the most consistent. Over on the Gulf Islands 140 to 200 feet has been productive.
We made our first trip over to the Gulf Island on the weekend and we had pretty good results. Both boats hooked around 10 chinook salmon each, with one boating landing 4 legal and the other landing 3 legal chinook. Our Gulf Island fishery typically gets going over the next 10 days and will likely be a very good bet for a full day trip in coming weeks. This fishery peaks through May and June and can often last well into July. As we progress into the spring we will likely be spending LOTS of time over on that side of Georgia Strait as it usually provides an excellent spring chinook fishery.
We have been having most of our success on spoons recently. It has been pretty hard to beat Skinny G’s this spring on most days. We have been having of a lot of luck with the Outfitter, Bon Chovy, and Irish Cream Skinny G’s. Paired up with Guide Series Flashers (STS, Bon Chovy, Lemon Lime, No Bananas) it has been pretty hard to go wrong. G Force and Silver Horde spoons in the green/chartreuse colour patterns are always a good bet as well. On our first trip to the Gulf Island’s on the weekend the Yamashita Spackleback hootchie in chartreuse was also a good producer. We have lots of Skinny G’s in stock at our charter/tackle shop on Granville Island.
The numbers of coho salmon in the lower Georgia Strait so far this spring has been very impressive. I can only remember a few years in the last 15 or so years we have seen coho so early in local waters. This bodes VERY well for our summer coho fishery in Vancouver Harbour. Only time will tell but we are very optimistic that we will see a good coho return.
Now is a great time for a Gulf Island Overnight Trip! Have a look at our Fishing Packages for some convenient options. Give us a call or an email to book a trip!
TIGHT LINES!
For more info call Jeff or Jason at Bon Chovy Fishing Charters (604) 763-5460, bonchovy.com email: info@bonchovy.com.
Vancouver Island (Saltwater)
no report this week
Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound
no report this week
Bamfield
Alan, Grant and Rick had a great morning of Lingcod, Yellow Eye and then topped it of with Spot Prawns.
In the Bamfield area Salmon fishing has been fair. The nice size of the Chinook are making up for the lack of numbers. Most of our effort is being spent on the outer edges of Barkley Sound around Cape Beale, Edward King or Austin.
Jamie and his girls with some nice Chinook
Needle fish seem to be the feed of choice right now. I’m fishing mostly a small hootchie behind a purple/gold hot spot flasher.
Halibut, Lingcod and other bottom fishing has been good. Nice sea conditions this past week have aloud us to move around and cover new area. There is some good fishing being done on the closer banks now.
For more info call Ken Bodaly at Rocky Point Charters, Bamfield, B.C. 250-728-3678 or the boat cell phone 250-735-4224 website: www.rockypointcharters.ca email: rockypointcharters@shaw.ca facebook: Rocky Point Charters
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing was GOOD for anglers at Beechey Head and in the Bay. Most of the chinooks were running from 7 to 12 lbs in size but there were some larger hatchery springs around. There some good size unclipped springs that were caught and released as well. Anglers have been successful with all types of gear. Anchovies in glow teaser heads have been very effective. Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in Cop Car, Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were also effective. For flashers, the Madi, Lemon Lime and Purple Onion have been good. Some halibut up to 50 lbs were also brought back to the marina. There were also quite a lot of halibut brought into Cheanuh Marina from Race Rocks and points east.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Pedder Bay
Gary Fiege with his 180+ cm halibut
Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. There were lots of springs in the mid teens at Whirl Bay but also some small ones. Most anglers are fishing close to the bottom, often bouncing the downrigger balls on the bottom, in 120-150 feet of water, while others are getting nice fish at 60 – 80 feet in 80’ of water along the kelp beds and rocky shore lines.. Small spoons, such as the G-Force, Coyote and Gypsy, in the glow and/or green colours were very effective. Hootchies and squirts also produced well. Flashers that remain popular include Glow green, Lemon-Lime and Madi.
Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT this past week. Best areas were Race Rocks, William Head, 27 Fathom reef 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
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 FAIR for springs this past week. Most of the salmon have not been very large, with the exception of some unclipped springs that were caught and released. Anchovies have been the top bait recently, especially with Cop Car and Purple Haze teaser heads. The 3”-4” Kingfisher, Gypsy and G-Force spoons, as well as hoochies, are also top choices for Sooke anglers. Good colors have been Kitchen Sink, Irish Cream and No Bananas. Hoochies in White Glow, Army Truck and Tiger Prawn have been catching their fair number of fish. The most popular flashers recently have been ones with Moon Jelly patterns such as the Madi 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 FAIR off Victoria but GOOD at Constance Bank. Most of the fish on the bank have been just around the minimum size for retention. However, if you stick ip out, there are some better fish to 16 lbs available. Not many of the fish were reported to have come from close in along the waterfront, although I did hear of a 15 lb hatchery Chinook that was caught off Brotchie Ledge. Anchovies were a good bait to use and Bloody Nose and Purple Haze have been the most popular colors for teaser heads. Spoons and squirts were successful in getting hook ups. 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 Lemon Lime and Madi have been effective flashers lately.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Lakes
Fishing is PICKING UP in most lakes for both trout and bass. Warmer weather has really made the fish more active and the insect hatches have increased. All bass fishing is closed to retention until June 15th.
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 fishing for sturgeon could be good. Fish the channel edges on the outgoing tides.
Great Lakes
Lake Michigan
Chinook are coming on small or magnum size spoons. Reapers and Vulcans made by Badger Tackle have been working for us. The small silver Vulcan has been hot on the downr
iggers. Run them 50 feet behind the ball 15 to 25 feet down. Six inch flashers or dodgers with green or blue Howies peanut flies also caught fish. No action on Slide Divers today. Tie your flies 14.5 inches on 6 inch dodgers, 24 inches for 6 inch flashers. All orange dodgers and flashers. I hope this helps.
Lake Trout action was slow today but we didn’t fish there favorite spots. For all fish speed has been very critical with the 44 to 51 degree water. I use the Depth Raider to measure speed at the ball. The Chinook are hitting Reaper Magnum Glow spoons at first light and blue or green with silver back all day. The boat speed of 1.7 to 2.0 has been best.
Where! – Fish are hanging in close to shore or the break wall. It can be a zoo in close with all the traffic and it may be better to head out the north gap Milwaukee follow the shoreline working 30 feet of water. Have a great fishing season.
Report submitted by Jim at Blue Max Charters out of Milwaukee. He can be reached at 414-828-1094.
