Report: Inner Elliot Bay

Launched out of Magnolia at about 1:30, high tide was at 2:50. The weather was cloudy and warm to start and the fish didn't bother me too much . Had a good bite but by the time I had the rod in my hands it had spit the hook. Trying for Chinook and since I don't have a downrigger I was using a 8oz banana sinker with a green flasher and plug cut herring.
The commercial boat traffic was light and the Argosy boat was using me (a kayak fisher) as an attraction.
Only near miss was the darn parasail boat watching his chute behind him instead of me in front of him.
Even though they don't have to, the Tugs were very nice watching out for their speed/wake and going around my trolling path.
The clouds and wind moved in around 5 and I had a good workout to get back North to magnolia.

All in all a good trip even though I didn't catch anything. If you fish here be on your toes for the commercial traffic.

Kurt

Good job getting out there. Too bad that fish didn't stick. I usually find that if I'm mooching, the best thing to do when you get a hit is to actually not go for the rod. Instead give 3-5 more hard paddles to set the hook before any slack line gets out there. It's really hard to resist and the opposite of what your instinct tells you what to do but the time it takes to fumble with your rod with an unset hook is enough to lose the fish. If you use this technique, after you get the rod in your hand there's no setting needed. Just battle that bruiser!

Go get 'em!

Z

Kurt,

Haven't seen you posting here in a while.  What's you been up to?

-Allen

Hi Allen,

I bought a 1920's craftsman house in Ballard and I'm workin me buns off to pay for it. Thus the interest in the Magnolia area. My job is now out of Paine field so after work I have an easy put in at either Picnic point or Mukilteo st park. But of course there is always Golden Gardens just a few blocks from home.
I moved from Bothell to Ballard in February so it has been until just last week that I have been able to relocate the tackle and regroup as it were. The first thing I did when I moved in was install a pulley roof system for my yak in the garage. Bought this one at REI for a high price but it seems to work great.
The usual salmon runs seem to be a bit light this year. Has anyone thought about a trip over to like Entiat where they are virtually letting you keep six fish a day because they had such a great return?
I've never fished in the Columbia or the Entiat so I'm not sure at this point if its even possible in a yak.
Really like the Google map with put ins and fishing blurbs. This site always seems to amaze me. Good job you guys keeping this sport afloat.
I'll also post a funny about the Ballard area in the funny section.

Hope to see you guys out there real soon.


Kurt

I know the feeling.  Got a 1920's craftsman here in Greenlake!  Good luck to you.  Where you launching out of Magnolia.  That's closer for me too than hooking around to southern EBay.

-Allen

Could be a little park near the marina- Smith Cove Park

Rob.

Where you launching out of Magnolia.  That's closer for me too than hooking around to southern EBay.

-Allen

I know a nice little launch spot. 

Z

I launched between the street to pier 91 and Amgen. If you go out to the water front park before you enter through Amgen there is a spot across the bike trail that is about a 6 ft rocky slide down to the water. I unloaded the yak and carefully lowered it down to the sand below.
I understand there is a launch spot near the palisades restaurant. Not Smith Cove Park, that area is 30 ft above water and all big boulders down to the water.
I know a lady friend willing to share this secret location but I'll probably have to pay for dinner to get the information. This kind of information doesn't come cheap.

Got a busy weekend ahead down In San Fran so no fishing this weekend.

My next trip on the water is probably mid week next week. Most likely Thursday night out of Picnic Point or Mukilteo St Park. If I don't see ya guys on the water I'll at least be ready to read those tall tales.

Take care and keep the smooth side down.

Kurt