NorthWest Kayak Anglers
Regional Discussions => Washington Kayak Fishing => Topic started by: kaz on November 12, 2018, 11:53:58 AM
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As a new yak fisher, I'm slowly gearing-up my Trident 13. I haven't had my outboard in the Sound for several years, but I'd like to try for Blackmouth at Point No Point (Jan. 1st season). Is it still a worthwhile fishery?
Any tips about PNP: hazards for a newbie, launching, general observations? I've fished PNP before, but I was in an outboard.
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WDFW has a place you can launch from right there. It's not a place to go if you're scared of current or boats. I do really well there and plan on going the 1st.
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Sounds like a fun place to fish from what I've read about it. What's the usual way to fish there? My jigging skills are a bit better than last winter (thanks in part to workhard), so I hope it's a jigging thing. :)
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Hey Jason. For winter Blackmouth fishing, I used to fish Mid Channel Bank off Port Townsend. The few times I tried PNP in the winter, I was mooching with plug cut herring, but many others were successful jigging Pt. Wilson darts.
I suspect that I'll be jigging more often as a yak fisher. Mooching plug cut herring in a yak might be difficult for a newbie. I really don't know; I always liked to use bait.
BTW: Are we going to get a preview of your "acquisition"?
kaz (Glen)
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Sounds like a fun place to fish from what I've read about it. What's the usual way to fish there? My jigging skills are a bit better than last winter (thanks in part to workhard), so I hope it's a jigging thing. :)
You can jig if it's not plugged with bait. When it is plugged with bait, usually mid-ebb, mooching is better. Beware of the boats, it's like a washing machine in there from boats wakes. I broadsided two boats getting towed by Chinook during the summer. The current will let you know how much you're in shape, especially if you get caught on the flood. Probably one of the best places to fish in the Sound for Chinook if you have the skills or fortitude to do it.
Fish hard.
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You can jig if it's not plugged with bait. When it is plugged with bait, usually mid-ebb, mooching is better. Beware of the boats, it's like a washing machine in there from boats wakes. I broadsided two boats getting towed by Chinook during the summer. The current will let you know how much you're in shape, especially if you get caught on the flood. Probably one of the best places to fish in the Sound for Chinook if you have the skills or fortitude to do it.
Sounds like I better be on the stationary bike for an hour every couple of days if I'm not out on the kayak then... ;D
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WDFW has a place you can launch from right there. It's not a place to go if you're scared of current or boats. I do really well there and plan on going the 1st.
Yeah. Years ago, I remember seeing several simultaneous hookups an hour after the start of ebb tide. Without prior experience, it's difficult to gauge the hazards. However, I'm anxious to fish PNP. It's a unique fishery. I usually return from back east (holiday travel) on 12/31 so I might miss Jan. 1, but I'll get there. A mango Trident 13.
Thanks, for the tips.
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WDFW has a place you can launch from right there. It's not a place to go if you're scared of current or boats. I do really well there and plan on going the 1st.
Yeah. Years ago, I remember seeing several simultaneous hookups an hour after the start of ebb tide. Without prior experience, it's difficult to gauge the hazards. However, I'm anxious to fish PNP. It's a unique fishery. I usually return from back east (holiday travel) on 12/31 so I might miss Jan. 1, but I'll get there. A mango Trident 13.
Thanks, for the tips.
If you're using a paddle kayak boat positioning would be extremely difficult. It's not talked about a lot, I don't think people realize just how important it is to catching fish 100ft down, but you would have a hard time being effective jigging. Just mooch.
Fish hard.
Fish hard.
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I understand your point. I learned to motor-mooch at the old sportsman's show that they used to have in the Kingdome during winter (late 90s) . The mooching instructor was Tony Floor. He taught a method using: light lines, long leaders, sliding sinkers, single hook-plug-cut herring, and back-motoring to maintain a nearly vertical line. I've had some good results, but with a paddle-yak I'll have to make adjustments. I used to specialize in deep-water mooching. At Mid Channel Bank, I'd often be fishing at depths to 140' +.
I'm expecting challenges. I'm still awaiting new gear to rig my yak, but I plan to experiment on the water on weekends. New FF and Marine HH radio should be here this week. I am even going to sign-up for a paddling class.
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If you have a lot of experience from a boat mooching you'll be fine fishing-wise. For your first trip out I'd recommend something with a little less wind, boats and current though. You don't want to be learning your kayak and balance there, it's seriously a washing machine. Trident13 rolled his there last summer, I wouldn't want to do that in January.
If you think you can do it go for it though, I fish in crazy current, wind, and numbers of boats at lot - I'm not one to bring you down. Kill em.
Fish hard.
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PNP is a good place to fish, you just need to respect it. My flip was due to a fish hookup, followed by canon ball hangup during a significant ebb flow all at the same time a large wave from a passing container ship passed. I was prepared for each, just not all at the same time. Make sure you know when slack tide hits, as it won't take long AT ALL for conditions to change significantly. If the combat type fishing WorkHard thrives in isn't you're cup of tee, you can always move west in the flats and mooch in 70-90 FOW.
Now living 30 minutes south of Pittsburgh and playing with two grandsons. Brought cane poles from the back yard and looking forward to fishing for pan fish with out 2.5 year old. Talking with folks about stripper fishing and looking forward to that. Watching deer in the back yard while typing this and I wish good safe fishing for all.
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January 29, 2009----mooched there with a friend, we were both in Hobie Revolutions, about 1/4 mile out from the Coast Guard station, I heard a cry "TER---I'm in the water!!", my buddy was unable to get back on his boat. Had tried to take a pee, kneeloing on the back deck and went over--Water temp was 45 degrees, he was wearing a Farmer John wet-suit bottom and cotton parka on top, I pedaled over and tried to help him get back on, was nearly upset myself when he grabbed the gunnel of my boat, so I grabbed him by the back of his PFD and pedaled for shore, with him hanging onto his boat took about 10 minutes, his time in the drink was about 20 minutes, got him in his truck with heater full blast, he was shaking uncontrollably for 20 minutes or so, he drove home to Tacoma and spent a couple hours in the hot tub before he felt fully recovered...that week we both bought Kokatat dry suits. Thank God for the Mirage drive, if we were in paddle yaks I could not have rescued him. Unfortunately, he died this past April from colon cancer. RIP Rob...
Back to PNP----start at low slack tide, there's a nice beach to launch from. in front of the Coast guard station, the tide will take you west, mooch or jig in about 90-100 feet, right on the bottom. PNP is where I got my first jigged chinook, it was 22#, about 25 years ago, from my little 14 ft Livingston. I doubt that winter blackmouth have that kind of size anymore, biggest I got past winter was 16#, the next biggest less than 10#. Most around 5-6#.
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PNP is a good place to fish, you just need to respect it. My flip was due to a fish hookup, followed by canon ball hangup during a significant ebb flow all at the same time a large wave from a passing container ship passed. I was prepared for each, just not all at the same time. Make sure you know when slack tide hits, as it won't take long AT ALL for conditions to change significantly. If the combat type fishing WorkHard thrives in isn't you're cup of tee, you can always move west in the flats and mooch in 70-90 FOW.
Now living 30 minutes south of Pittsburgh and playing with two grandsons. Brought cane poles from the back yard and looking forward to fishing for pan fish with out 2.5 year old. Talking with folks about stripper fishing and looking forward to that. Watching deer in the back yard while typing this and I wish good safe fishing for all.
I appreciate your perspective. I've experienced the "combat" fishing at PNP, but I was in an outboard...not a kayak. Even then, I avoided the crowded drift off the Point. I've had success fishing the western flats, and starting a drift (at the Point) in much deeper water. I'm reasonably certain that the Blackmouth follow the bait, and the bait can be scattered all over this area.
Good luck with the kiddies. My earliest memories (3 or 4 yrs. old) are fishing trips with my Pa. We'd be heading-out in the early dark-hours for bass and pickerel fishing. We'd bank-fish, with a bobber-live minnow rig. I can remember it, like it was yesterday.
If your interested in striper fishing you might like, stripersonline.com. It seems to be a widely popular fishing forum. There are also some fabulous videos by John Skinner. Skinner is a fishing wonder. My brothers, who fish the Jersey coast and Long Island (NY), use Skinner's methods for measurable success.
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January 29, 2009----mooched there with a friend, we were both in Hobie Revolutions, about 1/4 mile out from the Coast Guard station, I heard a cry "TER---I'm in the water!!", my buddy was unable to get back on his boat. Had tried to take a pee, kneeloing on the back deck and went over--Water temp was 45 degrees, he was wearing a Farmer John wet-suit bottom and cotton parka on top, I pedaled over and tried to help him get back on, was nearly upset myself when he grabbed the gunnel of my boat, so I grabbed him by the back of his PFD and pedaled for shore, with him hanging onto his boat took about 10 minutes, his time in the drink was about 20 minutes, got him in his truck with heater full blast, he was shaking uncontrollably for 20 minutes or so, he drove home to Tacoma and spent a couple hours in the hot tub before he felt fully recovered...that week we both bought Kokatat dry suits. Thank God for the Mirage drive, if we were in paddle yaks I could not have rescued him. Unfortunately, he died this past April from colon cancer. RIP Rob...
Back to PNP----start at low slack tide, there's a nice beach to launch from. in front of the Coast guard station, the tide will take you west, mooch or jig in about 90-100 feet, right on the bottom. PNP is where I got my first jigged chinook, it was 22#, about 25 years ago, from my little 14 ft Livingston. I doubt that winter blackmouth have that kind of size anymore, biggest I got past winter was 16#, the next biggest less than 10#. Most around 5-6#.
Thanks for the recollection, kallitype. Before I read all of the forums, here and at other sites, I had planned on wearing my waders and a drytop. However, thanks to all the good advice, I've purchased a Kokatat Hydrus Angler Drysuit. I also made sure that the drysuit came with a "relief zipper".
What you have suggested seems like a plan. I'm familiar with these locations and conditions , but I've always viewed them from a fairly well-equipped outboard. I might try a test run at PNP before the season opener. It's probably beneficial to see what the conditions are like in a yak.
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Well workhard, I've had 2 outings on little ponds. I haven't geared-up the Trident 13 for fishing, but I'm perfectly comfortable in the yak. This weekend, I gotta get out on the salt. I need the experience of surf-launching, current, wind and waves. My drysuit is so comfortable, I considered taking a little nap.
I checked the tides for early January. The first high is at about 2:15 AM, and the second high is at 12:48 PM. After the second high, there are minus low tides. The current will be ripping.
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I give up. Too many newbies saying "I just bought me a kayak and since I've been in it on a lake/pond/the front yard, now I need to be in saltwater." I sincerely hope nothing goes wrong and you have a great day out there, but common sense is the first thing we all put on for safety and trepidation is always a GOOD thing.
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Well, maybe I haven't been clear. I've built and paddled a yak for about 10 yrs. I've also been on the water, in one form or another for over 40 yrs. in everything from Coleman canoes to leaky outboards (hard to afford stuff in college) to my 17 footer. As for respect for the sea, my outboard has a deck-mounted radio and a HH, a 4 cycle trolling motor (back-up propulsion), a Mustang flotation jacket (back-up PFD), a red-alert kit (first aid, extra flares, strobe light, hand pump, HH GPS, ect.).
I candidly admit, that in my younger days I broke every rule. I thought that Small-Craft Advisories pertained to stuff like canoes (think of the shock when I read that the CG meant craft to 45'). I don't take anything OTW lightly. These are some of my recent acquisitions; Kokatat drysuit, Standard Horizon 870 HH, Astral Ronny PFD, NRS hand pump, visibility flag/with light.
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I give up. Too many newbies saying "I just bought me a kayak and since I've been in it on a lake/pond/the front yard, now I need to be in saltwater." I sincerely hope nothing goes wrong and you have a great day out there, but common sense is the first thing we all put on for safety and trepidation is always a GOOD thing.
I hope he goes out there and slays them the posts on here about it.
Fish hard.
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Well workhard, I've had 2 outings on little ponds. I haven't geared-up the Trident 13 for fishing, but I'm perfectly comfortable in the yak. This weekend, I gotta get out on the salt. I need the experience of surf-launching, current, wind and waves. My drysuit is so comfortable, I considered taking a little nap.
I checked the tides for early January. The first high is at about 2:15 AM, and the second high is at 12:48 PM. After the second high, there are minus low tides. The current will be ripping.
You can duck out of the current on the ebb close to shore. The point makes a giant current break. There's no shelter on the flood. I still think it'll be difficult to fish effectively on a paddle kayak there, but prove me wromg.
Fish hard.
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Yeah. I remember that in my outboard, I was back-motoring to moderate the drift during the ebb. It's sure to be a difficult spot, but PNP is literally in my neighborhood. I live close to the Kingston HS.
I might have to work during the week, but the first weekend is open. Gotta give it a try. By the end of the week, between the first dead-high and the first dead-low, there's only a difference of a few feet. Might give me a chance.
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Yeah. I remember that in my outboard, I was back-motoring to moderate the drift during the ebb. It's sure to be a difficult spot, but PNP is literally in my neighborhood. I live close to the Kingston HS.
I might have to work during the week, but the first weekend is open. Gotta give it a try. By the end of the week, between the first dead-high and the first dead-low, there's only a difference of a few feet. Might give me a chance.
Why don't you fish Jeff Head? I know the Gig Harbor Boys fish out there. I've never done it tho.
Fish hard.
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I give up. Too many newbies saying "I just bought me a kayak and since I've been in it on a lake/pond/the front yard, now I need to be in saltwater." I sincerely hope nothing goes wrong and you have a great day out there, but common sense is the first thing we all put on for safety and trepidation is always a GOOD thing.
Dude, you are the most cynical and pessimistic person on this forum. Haters gonna hate.
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I give up. Too many newbies saying "I just bought me a kayak and since I've been in it on a lake/pond/the front yard, now I need to be in saltwater." I sincerely hope nothing goes wrong and you have a great day out there, but common sense is the first thing we all put on for safety and trepidation is always a GOOD thing.
Dude, you are the most cynical and pessimistic person on this forum. Haters gonna hate.
He's just concerned. This sport is scary for some people, and for some people it should be.
Fish hard.
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Yeah. I remember that in my outboard, I was back-motoring to moderate the drift during the ebb. It's sure to be a difficult spot, but PNP is literally in my neighborhood. I live close to the Kingston HS.
I might have to work during the week, but the first weekend is open. Gotta give it a try. By the end of the week, between the first dead-high and the first dead-low, there's only a difference of a few feet. Might give me a chance.
Why don't you fish Jeff Head? I know the Gig Harbor Boys fish out there. I've never done it tho.
Fish hard.
I tried Jeff Head in my outboard a few times, mostly when the winds were too much to motor to PNP, but you're right. As a yak fisher I need to think about the limitations of speed, distance and paddling. Jeff Head is relatively protected water. My brothers have been reminding me, that they have learned to fish "small". They fish smaller areas with more detailed focus. I'd almost forgotten about Jeff Head. It's another spot that I used to ignore.
When I fished with my outboard, I used to have a fall-back option. If the winds were too cruel for Mid Channel, I would opt to fish Discovery Bay. I'd almost forgotten. Once in the early spring, the weather report was iffy, but when I got to Port Townsend the winds were so fierce I had sand in my ears. Sand in your ears is a bad sign. I've had some wonderful days fishing Disco Bay.
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Yeah. I remember that in my outboard, I was back-motoring to moderate the drift during the ebb. It's sure to be a difficult spot, but PNP is literally in my neighborhood. I live close to the Kingston HS.
I might have to work during the week, but the first weekend is open. Gotta give it a try. By the end of the week, between the first dead-high and the first dead-low, there's only a difference of a few feet. Might give me a chance.
Why don't you fish Jeff Head? I know the Gig Harbor Boys fish out there. I've never done it tho.
Fish hard.
I tried Jeff Head in my outboard a few times, mostly when the winds were too much to motor to PNP, but you're right. As a yak fisher I need to think about the limitations of speed, distance and paddling. Jeff Head is relatively protected water. My brothers have been reminding me, that they have learned to fish "small". They fish smaller areas with more detailed focus. I'd almost forgotten about Jeff Head. It's another spot that I used to ignore.
When I fished with my outboard, I used to have a fall-back option. If the winds were too cruel for Mid Channel, I would opt to fish Discovery Bay. I'd almost forgotten. Once in the early spring, the weather report was iffy, but when I got to Port Townsend the winds were so fierce I had sand in my ears. Sand in your ears is a bad sign. I've had some wonderful days fishing Disco Bay.
Might want to talk to someone who fishes there, it's bacially the blackmouth spot of area 10. I've also had recent success in Northern Hood Canal, it's not talked about a lot but decent spots can be found with enough research - and far more kayak friendly and open right now with a four fish limit.
Fish hard.
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I'll take a long look at area 10. I have fished the east side of Bainbridge and I had some real success on the south end fishing Allen Bank. I'm not so familiar with the north end of the canal. Normally, the Hood Canal was my crabbing spot (off Driftwood).
When I moved to WA (late 90s) I bought every fishing guide I could find. I'll have to dust them off. I've finally just received my FF and HH radio. All good.
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I give up. Too many newbies saying "I just bought me a kayak and since I've been in it on a lake/pond/the front yard, now I need to be in saltwater." I sincerely hope nothing goes wrong and you have a great day out there, but common sense is the first thing we all put on for safety and trepidation is always a GOOD thing.
Dude, you are the most cynical and pessimistic person on this forum. Haters gonna hate.
No worries, lutefisk. I take his warning to heart, but as a construction guy, my everyday job is dangerous. I've learned (the hard way) not to be foolish on the water. It's all good.
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Yeah. I remember that in my outboard, I was back-motoring to moderate the drift during the ebb. It's sure to be a difficult spot, but PNP is literally in my neighborhood. I live close to the Kingston HS.
I might have to work during the week, but the first weekend is open. Gotta give it a try. By the end of the week, between the first dead-high and the first dead-low, there's only a difference of a few feet. Might give me a chance.
Why don't you fish Jeff Head? I know the Gig Harbor Boys fish out there. I've never done it tho.
Fish hard.
I tried Jeff Head in my outboard a few times, mostly when the winds were too much to motor to PNP, but you're right. As a yak fisher I need to think about the limitations of speed, distance and paddling. Jeff Head is relatively protected water. My brothers have been reminding me, that they have learned to fish "small". They fish smaller areas with more detailed focus. I'd almost forgotten about Jeff Head. It's another spot that I used to ignore.
When I fished with my outboard, I used to have a fall-back option. If the winds were too cruel for Mid Channel, I would opt to fish Discovery Bay. I'd almost forgotten. Once in the early spring, the weather report was iffy, but when I got to Port Townsend the winds were so fierce I had sand in my ears. Sand in your ears is a bad sign. I've had some wonderful days fishing Disco Bay.
Might want to talk to someone who fishes there, it's bacially the blackmouth spot of area 10. I've also had recent success in Northern Hood Canal, it's not talked about a lot but decent spots can be found with enough research - and far more kayak friendly and open right now with a four fish limit.
Fish hard.
Where is Jeff Head? Looking on my mapping apps and not seeing anything like that near Gig Harbor or PNP. As a boy in GH I’d love to know about a good spot...
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Yeah. I remember that in my outboard, I was back-motoring to moderate the drift during the ebb. It's sure to be a difficult spot, but PNP is literally in my neighborhood. I live close to the Kingston HS.
I might have to work during the week, but the first weekend is open. Gotta give it a try. By the end of the week, between the first dead-high and the first dead-low, there's only a difference of a few feet. Might give me a chance.
Why don't you fish Jeff Head? I know the Gig Harbor Boys fish out there. I've never done it tho.
Fish hard.
I tried Jeff Head in my outboard a few times, mostly when the winds were too much to motor to PNP, but you're right. As a yak fisher I need to think about the limitations of speed, distance and paddling. Jeff Head is relatively protected water. My brothers have been reminding me, that they have learned to fish "small". They fish smaller areas with more detailed focus. I'd almost forgotten about Jeff Head. It's another spot that I used to ignore.
When I fished with my outboard, I used to have a fall-back option. If the winds were too cruel for Mid Channel, I would opt to fish Discovery Bay. I'd almost forgotten. Once in the early spring, the weather report was iffy, but when I got to Port Townsend the winds were so fierce I had sand in my ears. Sand in your ears is a bad sign. I've had some wonderful days fishing Disco Bay.
Might want to talk to someone who fishes there, it's bacially the blackmouth spot of area 10. I've also had recent success in Northern Hood Canal, it's not talked about a lot but decent spots can be found with enough research - and far more kayak friendly and open right now with a four fish limit.
Fish hard.
Where is Jeff Head? Looking on my mapping apps and not seeing anything like that near Gig Harbor or PNP. As a boy in GH I’d love to know about a good spot...
Jefferson Head. http://www.johnssportinggoods.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Map_Jeff_Head.pdf. This is a major fishing spot in 10. I'm not speaking for myself though. I will say that Pt Defiance has been good for me on the kayak and powerboat since late-October. The spots on the GH side, which you probably know and I don't feel like burning, are probably holding fish as well.
Fish hard.
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Nice Map, Thanks for sharing that.
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Jefferson Head. http://www.johnssportinggoods.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Map_Jeff_Head.pdf. This is a major fishing spot in 10. I'm not speaking for myself though. I will say that Pt Defiance has been good for me on the kayak and powerboat since late-October. The spots on the GH side, which you probably know and I don't feel like burning, are probably holding fish as well.
Fish hard.
Thanks. I don’t have that much knowledge or track record for catching fish, but that’s largely because of that work thing... I have just been retired this month, though, so I hope to get the boat wet a lot more often and work on the good spots here around the Harbor.
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Following this post and willing to fish with anyone that has previous experience at PNP. I have a Hobie Revo 13 with drysuit and previously jigged with Point Wilson Candlefish Darts in MA 13 for Kings successfully. I'll be driving from Joint Base Lewis McChord. If anyone needs a buddy on the 1st of Jan., I am down to try to catch my first black mouth.
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Following this post and willing to fish with anyone that has previous experience at PNP. I have a Hobie Revo 13 with drysuit and previously jigged with Point Wilson Candlefish Darts in MA 13 for Kings successfully. I'll be driving from Joint Base Lewis McChord. If anyone needs a buddy on the 1st of Jan., I am down to try to catch my first black mouth.
Its a washing machine and takes non-stop correction for jig fishing. I say try it if the weather is good, buddy or no buddy.
Fish hard.
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Following this post and willing to fish with anyone that has previous experience at PNP. I have a Hobie Revo 13 with drysuit and previously jigged with Point Wilson Candlefish Darts in MA 13 for Kings successfully. I'll be driving from Joint Base Lewis McChord. If anyone needs a buddy on the 1st of Jan., I am down to try to catch my first black mouth.
Its a washing machine and takes non-stop correction for jig fishing. I say try it if the weather is good, buddy or no buddy.
Fish hard.
I was out at PNP this past Sunday for a trial run. There was only about 6' of tidal change, but there was also a steady SSE wind at 12-15 MPH. Heading into the tidal chop, with water over the bow, I could still maintain a good pace. I'm very happy with this Trident 13. I just received my FF and lithium battery, but I'm planning on another paddle Saturday afternoon. All good.
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I was out at PNP this past Sunday for a trial run. There was only about 6' of tidal change, but there was also a steady SSE wind at 12-15 MPH. Heading into the tidal chop, with water over the bow, I could still maintain a good pace. I'm very happy with this Trident 13. I just received my FF and lithium battery, but I'm planning on another paddle Saturday afternoon. All good.
Wouldn't recommend fishing in a paddle kayak in 12-15kts. Too hard to catch fish, not worth the safety concerns. Good to know what you can handle though.
Fish hard.
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+1 to workhard. 6 ft or less tidal runout is nice at PNP, and you don't have to be 1/2 mile offshore. Wind is a bugger! If it's more than 10 knots, I'm napping on the beach.