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Topic: What can I fish for in the Sound?  (Read 5096 times)

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tenhunter

  • Perch
  • ***
  • Location: West Seattle
  • Date Registered: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 56
I am in West Seattle so I can put in Seattle (area 10 ) and Vashon Island (Area 11) easily. 

Problem is
A. I am a bass fisherman so not sure how to really target a specific saltwater species and
B. what the heck can I fish for right now? 

My eyes are bleeding after interpreting the regs so I thought I would ask the experts!

I have decent gear and the right boat, do I just need to wait for May?  Or is there something I can do to kill some time?  I have the rest of the week off so fishing would be nice!


Fishin-T

  • Lingcod
  • *****
  • It's called a "Slow Loris"
  • Location: Brothell, Wa
  • Date Registered: Apr 2006
  • Posts: 475
Welcome to Seattle Tenhunter,

Pretty much RIGHT now you can fish for maybe flounder or rock sole (bottom fish) or you can get a sabiki rig and stock up on herring for bait... yeah, that's just about all till May when you can also try for a lingcod.


Fishin-T
If at first you don't succeed....  maybe skydiving is just not for you.


tenhunter

  • Perch
  • ***
  • Location: West Seattle
  • Date Registered: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 56
Welcome to Seattle Tenhunter,

Pretty much RIGHT now you can fish for maybe flounder or rock sole (bottom fish) or you can get a sabiki rig and stock up on herring for bait... yeah, that's just about all till May when you can also try for a lingcod.


Fishin-T

So if I am fishing for flounder or rock sole than I am probably jigging the bottom correct, basic grubs set up etc?  If I catch a rock fish I just get it off the hook w/o putting it in the boat?


squidgirl

  • Salmon
  • ******
  • Location: Graham WA
  • Date Registered: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 683
Tenhunter...

 yes your correct. Gulp salt water grubs in about a 3" shrimp or that works well . Ravdakot has the flounder thing down to a science almost. 

SG
"Life is short lets go fishing"


polyangler

  • Sturgeon
  • *******
  • Location: Lacey, WA
  • Date Registered: Jun 2009
  • Posts: 1844
Curly tailed Gulp jigs on the lightest head that you can keep on the bottom will slay the flatties. Braided line really helps with this too. You can feel the smallest tap, and the small diameter helps keep you on the bottom. I seem to do the best in 15-40 FOW when flounder fishing. If you’re into fly fishing, there are sea-run cutthroat trout and resident coho salmon all over. The chum fry should be dumping out of the rivers now, so REALLY sparsely tied clouser minnows on a 6wt should bring some hot action. You will hang the odd rock fish here and there flounder fishing, but you won't see them often since they prefer structure, and the flounder are on flat sandy/muddy bottoms. Watch out for the spines on both the rock fish, and on the gills of the sculpin that you will catch (and you will catch sculpin). You can put rock fish in your boat. Just unhook/release them as quickly as you can. Ling season is soon to open in the sound too. Find the structure and you will find the lings. Then of course salmon will start around Aug. This is a pink year too, so there will be lots of catching. don’t forget to rinse your gear thoroughly after every outing in the salt, especially your rod guides and reels.
« Last Edit: April 20, 2011, 10:12:50 PM by ravdakot »
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demonick

  • Sturgeon
  • *******
  • Domenick Venezia, Author
  • Date Registered: Apr 2009
  • Posts: 2835
So if I am fishing for flounder or rock sole than I am probably jigging the bottom correct, basic grubs set up etc?  If I catch a rock fish I just get it off the hook w/o putting it in the boat?

You might want to set yourself a minimum flatfish keeper size, like 15-16".  The smaller they are the more tedious to "fillet".  Daily limits vary from 12-15 depending on the Marine Area (MA).  MA 9 & 10 are 15 "bottom fish". 
« Last Edit: April 23, 2011, 10:12:01 AM by demonick »
demonick
Author, Linc Malloy Legacies -- Action/Adventure/Thrillers
2021 Chanticleer Finalist - Global Thriller Series & High Stakes Fiction
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Rory

  • Sturgeon
  • *******
  • Rory's Internets Audio Blog
  • Location: Bellingham, WA
  • Date Registered: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 1818
Welcome tenhunter! The perception is that there's not much saltwater fishing to be done in the offseaon, but I beg to differ! I love catching flatfish and they are very good eats (though I don't eat the starry flounder - personal preference).  So yah, what they said...plus I find the gulp ghost shrimp on a 1oz (or even 3/4oz if you can get away with it) absolutely murders the flatties. A light spin rig with braid I find works best and is the most fun.   Find jigheads with the smallest hooks, they have tiny mouths. Drop to the bottom of pretty much any flat bottom area (15-40 feet) and you'll do well. If there is kelp anywhere use the same setup along the edges of the kelp beds to catch greenling. Hours of fun, I tell ya! And they are very tasty too.  Then of course you have lingcod opening next weekend...good time to get in the salt!  Good luck.
"When you get into one of these groups, there's only a couple ways you can get out. One, is death. The other...mental institutions"



demonick

  • Sturgeon
  • *******
  • Domenick Venezia, Author
  • Date Registered: Apr 2009
  • Posts: 2835
I love catching flatfish and they are very good eats (though I don't eat the starry flounder - personal preference).  ...

Why don't you eat the Starrys? 
demonick
Author, Linc Malloy Legacies -- Action/Adventure/Thrillers
2021 Chanticleer Finalist - Global Thriller Series & High Stakes Fiction
Rip City Legacy, Book 6 latest release!
DomenickVenezia.com


Rory

  • Sturgeon
  • *******
  • Rory's Internets Audio Blog
  • Location: Bellingham, WA
  • Date Registered: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 1818
I love catching flatfish and they are very good eats (though I don't eat the starry flounder - personal preference).  ...

Why don't you eat the Starrys?

Just don't think they taste as good. And I think they smell awful. Though they are great fighters.
"When you get into one of these groups, there's only a couple ways you can get out. One, is death. The other...mental institutions"



Pisco Sicko

  • Sturgeon
  • *******
  • Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • Date Registered: Apr 2006
  • Posts: 1553
Pile perch and striped perch are also viable targets. The pile perch can get to be pretty good size and are selective. I haven't fished for them for a long time, but I remember them fighting well, once I did hook up. I used pieces of mussel, tube worms and the green (biting) sea worms I would find when digging for clams.


wolverine

  • Perch
  • ***
  • Date Registered: Nov 2007
  • Posts: 84
 Another hand in the air here for not liking the taste of Starry flounder. Arrowtooth really aren't any better tasting. The little sand dabs are easy to catch and great eating. Except for the 3+ eyed full of tumors dabs that are in Elliott Bay.