NorthWest Kayak Anglers

Regional Discussions => Washington Kayak Fishing => Topic started by: Rory on July 09, 2010, 11:51:50 AM

Title: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: Rory on July 09, 2010, 11:51:50 AM
Now that Salmon is open here in the San Juans, I'm bent on catching some.  I've only targeted them twice thus far this year, and so far they have eluded me.  Hours pass by when I'm trolling a coho killer or mooching herring and I'm thinking about how much more fun I'd be having if I was fishing for cabezon, or greenling even. I do get the dogfish, which is better than NOfish but I want a damn salmon!  But I'm GOING to crack this...it's a matter of pride at this point.

I was out at Pt Whitehorn yesterday evening and I saw a few salmon jumping and tried to cast towards them with a buzz bomb, and also mooch thru there, but the area is so vast it seems very needle-in-a-haystack.  

I have primarily been dragging a banana sinker with flasher/coho killer combo or banana sinker with cut-plugged orange and red label herring, then casting a buzz bomb when I see the silvers jump (a la Mark's article in the recent NW Sportsman and also suggested by HBH).  I do have a downrigger setup that I need to get going, but it does add an extra layer of complexity to fishing.  I'd love to be able to mooch or troll effectively without it, if possible. If anyone has any other tackle ideas, let me know.

Let me know of any other places within range that I can try (Marine areas 7 and 8-1, and the east side of 6 are all do-able for day fishing from bham) that you know of.    I do realize we're fairly early in the season and things might pick up in August.  But I'd really love to dine on flesh of Salmon!  Might try Pt. Migley this weekend and hit up Clark Is. as well for cabs.

Any help appreciated!

PS check out my new ride.  I'm going mobile!  Unfortunately I will be on the east coast for the latter half of July so I won't get to try it out til August, but Oregonians will be seeing alot more of me!
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: ZeeHawk on July 09, 2010, 12:00:45 PM
That is a sweet rig!

When mooching go straight with a green label cut plug herring. Also take out that  banana sinker and use a 2-4 oz weight on a slider. Pretty much the same setup as Spot's trolling rig but no dropper line.. and use a herring instead of me as bait. ;)

(http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/gallery/150_21_04_09_11_11_44_2.jpeg)

The sliding sinker will let the salmon pick up the bait w/o feeling it and hopefully will munch harder and set the hook for you. If you pull a few feet of line off the reel when salmon initially hits your bait that will also allow the salmon to munch some more. Most importantly remember to not set the hook but only reel in until your line is taught.  

And lastly, catching salmon is a tough game and nothing like rockfishing. ;D
P.S. we need to go fish.

Z
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: kiawanda jr on July 09, 2010, 01:22:43 PM
That is a sweet rig!

When mooching go straight with a green label cut plug herring. Also take out that  banana sinker and use a 2-4 oz weight on a slider. Pretty much the same setup as Spot's trolling rig but no dropper line.. and use a herring instead of me as bait. ;)

(http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/gallery/150_21_04_09_11_11_44_2.jpeg)

The sliding sinker will let the salmon pick up the bait w/o feeling it and hopefully will munch harder and set the hook for you. If you pull a few feet of line off the reel when salmon initially hits your bait that will also allow the salmon to munch some more. Most importantly remember to not set the hook but only reel in until your line is taught.  

And lastly, catching salmon is a tough game and nothing like rockfishing. ;D
P.S. we need to go fish.

Z

   zee   

     I have done alot trolling but never in a kayak. is there a reason for not using a dropper on your cannon ball?  seems to be effective for keeping your herring off the bottom.
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: Rory on July 09, 2010, 01:54:08 PM
And lastly, catching salmon is a tough game and nothing like rockfishing. ;D

Yeah, you're not kidding.

OK, thanks for the diagram.  Very helpful!  Headed to the tackle store now.  Approximately what are the lengths on the dropper line and on the main line between the bead chain and bait?
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: kallitype on July 09, 2010, 02:54:58 PM
Also look at the Metzler sliding sinkers, there's a plastic tube that your line goes thru, then you tie on your Sampo (best) swivel. The sinkers have wire clips that clip onto the tube, very neat and simple.Less involved that the dropper, which in my hands always gets tangled.   They come in many sizes, I buy 4,5 6 and 8 oz.
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: ZeeHawk on July 09, 2010, 03:00:39 PM
is there a reason for not using a dropper on your cannon ball?  seems to be effective for keeping your herring off the bottom.
In the sound we usually mooch in the realm of 80'-200'+ FOW. When you drop your gear you let it hit bottom and then come straight back up. Your herring is trailing behind the weight and never has a chance to hit bottom. Since hanging up is rarely a problem a dropper is just one more thing to go wrong.

Approximately what are the lengths on the dropper line and on the main line between the bead chain and bait?
Like posted earlier, no dropper but most people like to mooch with leaders in the realm of 6'.

Here's a good article explaining the basics: http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/mooching_for_salmon.htm

Z
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: ZeeHawk on July 09, 2010, 03:03:04 PM
Also look at the Metzler sliding sinkers, there's a plastic tube that your line goes thru, then you tie on your Sampo (best) swivel. The sinkers have wire clips that clip onto the tube, very neat and simple.Less involved that the dropper, which in my hands always gets tangled.   They come in many sizes, I buy 4,5 6 and 8 oz.
Those are very cool. :thumbsup:

Z
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: kiawanda jr on July 09, 2010, 03:11:17 PM
   oh copy. were not running that deep around here, 10-40ft in the rivers. i like to back bounce my weight when trolling to stay down amungst-em. cant wait to try that in a yak.
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: Rory on July 09, 2010, 03:13:44 PM
Ah - I see that now, NO dropper line.  I just learned to read.  That simplifies things.  Do you brine your herring or use them straight out of the package?
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: ZeeHawk on July 09, 2010, 03:19:38 PM
Ah - I see that now, NO dropper line.  I just learned to read.  That simplifies things.  Do you brine your herring or use them straight out of the package?
You must brine your herring. There's a bunch of recipes out there but the simple Salmon U one has done me well: http://www.salmonuniversity.com/ol_brining_herring.html

Z
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: Lee on July 09, 2010, 03:23:42 PM
We're not running deeper than 120' of water either   :angel:


I wonder if an Ace Hi-Fly would work as well as a herring.
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: ZeeHawk on July 09, 2010, 03:30:37 PM
I wonder if an Ace Hi-Fly would work as well as a herring.
The High Fly really doesn't have enough action IMO. Dodgers or flashers are needed w/ a lure like that. A Brads Cut Plug is a good backup lure and a spoon might work in a pinch but the main thing about mooching is it's a slow presentation. Around a mile per hour or so. The salmon plenty of time to get a good look at the bait so if it doesn't look right they'll pass it over.

Z
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: Yarjammer on July 09, 2010, 04:24:39 PM
Did you replace the Scion Rory or is this a dedicated fishing transport?  Looks like Dana rubbed off on you  ;D  That should be an awesome rig for a nomadic angler.
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: Rory on July 09, 2010, 04:52:08 PM
Did you replace the Scion Rory or is this a dedicated fishing transport?  Looks like Dana rubbed off on you  ;D  That should be an awesome rig for a nomadic angler.

I gotta admit I had camper envy when I saw dana's VW. I've been looking casually anyway because i really am not a fan of tent camping. Call me soft but i just hate waking up in the rain! I'll prolly hold on to the scion for a while.
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: Yarjammer on July 09, 2010, 04:56:22 PM
That is one downside of camping in the NW  :-\  I don't mind too much if it rains while I'm camping however, I'm not a big fan of breaking camp in it. 
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: [WR] on July 09, 2010, 05:15:01 PM
Didn't Kallitype sell one of those last year?

funny, as the car service was taking me to the house from SEATAC yesterday, we passed one exactly like that in the north end of Tacoma on 5. tall thin guy in maybe his mid-late 30's and hadn't shaved in a few days.....that wasn't you, was it Rory?
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: Lee on July 09, 2010, 05:34:48 PM
Ha!  I'm with you on that YJ.  Breaking camp in the rain is the WORST. 
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: [WR] on July 09, 2010, 05:42:27 PM
heh, they should try it with a GP medium in the rain..   :o ??? >:D
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: Lee on July 09, 2010, 06:46:02 PM
heh, they should try it with a GP medium in the rain..   :o ??? >:D

GP Medium + Korea in the Winter.  When I remember things like that, I TOTALLY remember why I got out.  Oh and digging fighting positions in frozen dirt/rock is awesome too.
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: BorderYakker on July 10, 2010, 12:52:08 AM
Hey there, new to the group here.  :police:

This is my second season fishing from a kayak. This forum has been very interesting. I appreciate all of the info!

Tall man, I am in Bellingham too. Funny thing, I was fishing from the jetty in west port last weekend. I did see a kayak fisher go by while I was there. For info I caught some nice black rockfish while I was there. Best was Saturday around 9am. I started at 6 but it was dead until 9. Throwing gulp in brown and white. Will post pics when I figure all that out  ;D

I am going in the morning. Not sure where yet but I am going. Lol.

Let me know how you do locally. I will keep you posted. 
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: kallitype on July 10, 2010, 09:35:01 AM
How about this?  Camped next to me on the colorado river near Moab last month.  Young couple with lots of giggling in the night...
(http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/gallery/331_10_07_10_10_26_45.jpeg)
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: Rory on July 10, 2010, 10:29:41 AM
How about this?  Camped next to me on the colorado river near Moab last month.  Young couple with lots of giggling in the night...

If this Honda's rockin...

Didn't Kallitype sell one of those last year?

funny, as the car service was taking me to the house from SEATAC yesterday, we passed one exactly like that in the north end of Tacoma on 5. tall thin guy in maybe his mid-late 30's and hadn't shaved in a few days.....that wasn't you, was it Rory?


Wasn't me but it will be soon!  I pick it up Monday.

This is my second season fishing from a kayak. This forum has been very interesting. I appreciate all of the info!

Tall man, I am in Bellingham too. Funny thing, I was fishing from the jetty in west port last weekend. I did see a kayak fisher go by while I was there. For info I caught some nice black rockfish while I was there. Best was Saturday around 9am. I started at 6 but it was dead until 9. Throwing gulp in brown and white. Will post pics when I figure all that out  ;D

I am going in the morning. Not sure where yet but I am going. Lol.

Let me know how you do locally. I will keep you posted. 

BorderYakker - well, welcome!  What a coincidence about being in Westport on the jetty at the same time.  If the kayak you saw was yellow, it was me!  That's great you got some Rockfish, definitely post pics when you can.

Let me know how you do.  I'm headed out to Point Migley myself.  There's the PSA salmon derby going on right now - not sure if that will be a good or a bad thing for me yet.  We'll see.  Anyway, let's fish sometime!

Cheers,
Rory
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: jself on July 10, 2010, 02:27:16 PM
Now that Salmon is open here in the San Juans, I'm bent on catching some.  I've only targeted them twice thus far this year, and so far they have eluded me.  Hours pass by when I'm trolling a coho killer or mooching herring and I'm thinking about how much more fun I'd be having if I was fishing for cabezon, or greenling even. I do get the dogfish, which is better than NOfish but I want a damn salmon!  But I'm GOING to crack this...it's a matter of pride at this point.

I was out at Pt Whitehorn yesterday evening and I saw a few salmon jumping and tried to cast towards them with a buzz bomb, and also mooch thru there, but the area is so vast it seems very needle-in-a-haystack.  

I have primarily been dragging a banana sinker with flasher/coho killer combo or banana sinker with cut-plugged orange and red label herring, then casting a buzz bomb when I see the silvers jump (a la Mark's article in the recent NW Sportsman and also suggested by HBH).  I do have a downrigger setup that I need to get going, but it does add an extra layer of complexity to fishing.  I'd love to be able to mooch or troll effectively without it, if possible. If anyone has any other tackle ideas, let me know.

Let me know of any other places within range that I can try (Marine areas 7 and 8-1, and the east side of 6 are all do-able for day fishing from bham) that you know of.    I do realize we're fairly early in the season and things might pick up in August.  But I'd really love to dine on flesh of Salmon!  Might try Pt. Migley this weekend and hit up Clark Is. as well for cabs.

Any help appreciated!

PS check out my new ride.  I'm going mobile!  Unfortunately I will be on the east coast for the latter half of July so I won't get to try it out til August, but Oregonians will be seeing alot more of me!

I'm headed to Jones 7/14-19. NW side of Jones looks promissing, I'll be jigging green/chrome 2.5 oz pt wilson darts. Supposedly really good for nookies in the SJ's and can get bottom fish too.

Good luck!
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: INSAYN on July 10, 2010, 02:53:44 PM
Did you replace the Scion Rory or is this a dedicated fishing transport?  Looks like Dana rubbed off on you  ;D  That should be an awesome rig for a nomadic angler.

I gotta admit I had camper envy when I saw dana's VW. I've been looking casually anyway because i really am not a fan of tent camping. Call me soft but i just hate waking up in the rain! I'll prolly hold on to the scion for a while.

Ya gunna go with a trailer too, like Dana does? 
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: Rory on July 11, 2010, 11:40:04 PM
Ya gunna go with a trailer too, like Dana does? 

No, I want to try to keep the rig as compact as possible.  Going to mount Yakima bars with the boatloader like yakinitup has.
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: INSAYN on July 12, 2010, 06:57:54 AM
Does your Westy popup have the helper struts already installed?  They'll really help get the top up with the yakima bars and yak weight added.
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: jself on July 12, 2010, 08:49:46 AM
Ya gunna go with a trailer too, like Dana does? 

No, I want to try to keep the rig as compact as possible.  Going to mount Yakima bars with the boatloader like yakinitup has.

If you want your kayak cradles to not roll on the bar when you're sliding the boat on them, I'd go with Thule. Yakima has round bars and all kayak saddles roll on the bar. Thule has square bars that keep the saddles from rolling over.
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: jself on July 12, 2010, 08:50:31 AM
I thought we were talking about marine are 7 salmon, not pop-up-trailers???
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: kallitype on July 13, 2010, 08:44:37 PM
Spent 2 days on Lopez, camped at Odlin ounty park Sun nite and Mon nite----3-4 foot waves, 25mph winds all day Sunday, did sneak out around dusk---nada.  MOnday was blown out, whitecaps all day.  Tues AM dawned (0500) partly cloudy, with calm seas, trolled up to and around the north end,, dragging a spoon---nada!   Saw lots of fish on the depthfinder in the 30-40 foot depth, no hits though.  Had to come home at noon, to finish tearing the drywall and insulation out of the main bathroom.

Upside---Odlin is a beautiful campground, nice sandy beach, lots of kayakers there, but all sea kayaks, no SOT's.  Beach-bunny factor fairly high, too!
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: [WR] on July 13, 2010, 09:08:16 PM
Ya gunna go with a trailer too, like Dana does? 

No, I want to try to keep the rig as compact as possible.  Going to mount Yakima bars with the boatloader like yakinitup has.

know you're a tall guy, but how high would the addition of bars and cradles make your Westy?? some ferries have major height penalties for anything over 7 ft. [ thats if you'd ever use a ferry]
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: Rory on July 14, 2010, 12:17:14 AM
know you're a tall guy, but how high would the addition of bars and cradles make your Westy?? some ferries have major height penalties for anything over 7 ft. [ thats if you'd ever use a ferry]

Might not be a problem.  I asked the guy Friday, "do we have a deal?" he said "we have a deal." But today he appears to be backing out. I am upset to say the least.  People who don't keep their word annoy me.
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: wolverine on July 14, 2010, 09:58:00 AM
 The WSF on line fare schedule does show an upcharge for vehicle over 7'-6" in height. Whereas the BC ferry system has dropped their over height fees for non commercial vehicles. They make up for it with their length fees. Longer than 18' is $5.50 for ea ft.
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: kallitype on July 16, 2010, 09:48:04 PM
Eeek!  BC charge hurts!  I took my Revo to Lopez in the bed of the truck, it hung over tailgate about 5 feet, but the kind lady at Anacortes did not charge me for over 20 feet!!
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: HBH on July 21, 2010, 09:26:01 PM
Rory, havent had a chance to get my kayak wet for a bit but the salmon bug can be a bitch...i spent 4 days in my PB without a keeper yet  >:(

i might need to ditch the PB and try the kayak again  ;D

good spots to try:
light house park
point whitehorn
sandy point
migley
legoe bay
pt lawrence
parker reef
samish island

it is a little early for good salmon returns yet around MA7

i spoke with the WDFW catch checker guy on saturday and he said he had not seen many salmon brought it yet
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: Rory on July 22, 2010, 12:17:38 PM
Yeah, that's what I figured.  I'm traveling for a couple weeks and I'm hoping that there wil be more salmon present when I get back in August.  I'll definitely be hitting up the places you suggested!

Thanks,
Rory
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: BorderYakker on July 22, 2010, 09:20:14 PM
I went out to Birch Bay last night fishing at the state park ramp. No salmon yet. There is a resident that lives right at the public boat launch that says he has been going out every day to see if the silvers are in yet. My buddy picked up a big dogfish before the wind kicked up.

I talked to some of the boat patrol guys out there and found out where a good rocky point is and a nice kelp bed. Sounds promising. I will keep checking back and try it in a couple of weeks.

I did get my yak out on some rough water and learned a few lessons that will stick with me. One was the need for the lip grips. Fighting the hook out of that dogfishes mouth in the wind and waves was a chore. Good lesson. Lol

I will get the boat guys to take me out next week and see if we can scout some other decent structure. Area yesterday between the point and the refinery looked promising.
Title: Re: Marine Area 7 Salmon(?)
Post by: Rory on August 08, 2010, 10:01:14 AM
HBH proves there are LARGE kings in Marine Area 7!  He and his dad were nice enough to take me out on their boat Saturday.  Had a great time and got to witness Bernie land this monster!

(http://www.thewhiteroom.com/graphics/blog/fishing/bernie.jpg)