Halibut Opener - 2008

All:

Who’s up for extending (preceeding) the Draco Lake weekend a little bit and start it out by looking for some halibuts when the season opens on April 10th?  I know that the regs say it’s on the 9th, but all of the areas that I’m looking at also say “Thursday to Monday” only so it looks like the 10th is the real day.  I’m thinking of trying for halibuts as early as Thursday morning and then head down to Drano Lake whenever everybody wants to.

My simple plan is to camp over at Sequim Bay State Park and eat mostly at the fine restaurants right there in Sequim.  For the actual fishing part, I plan to paddle out from the free parking area on the south shore of the Dungeness Bay.  I think that anywhere south of the point is a closed area for all but salmon and so we’d have to paddle right at about 3 miles along the south shore of the spit and then fish on the north side of the spit.

This one makes for a really easy excursion and you’re more than welcome to join in, whether you’re going on down to Draco afterwards or not.  Anybody have a similar plan that you’d rather do?  Let’s hear it!  I’m easily swayed.

Fishin-T

Oooh, giving away my secret zipper lip hali hole??!!  I hope you have a really good landing technique , that one you watched me lose a few years ago should be pretty darn big by now.

The deep hole to the east of the end of the spit is where I hooked up that day. Last year, my coworker and I managed to get all the way out to Dungeness bar, which is 2-3 miles further out, to the NE. It was a flat day.

Wish I could make it over. Here's a big version of my avatar- the first fish I caught out of my rowboat- a 40" 'but.

Hey Tom I may be in on this one.  I'll check out the details and get back to you

Charliefl

Polepole,

Hello Polepole, calling Polepole, come in please.  You mentioned on the Drano thread that you were going to "hunt halibuts" and then head down to Drano for Sunday morning.  I didn't want to "butt" in on what might be your private halibut plans and so I opened a thread myself.

Ah, what the hell... I'll go ahead and "butt" in  ... So what's your plan for the opening halibut weekend Pole?  Myself, I wouldn't be so rude as to ask but Charles made me do it.   

Fishin-T

Gonna have to ask Zee on this one.  He has the skinny on some holes, so it's his show ... I'm just along for the ride.   

-Allen

Zee,

Okay, same question as asked to Polepole.  You got any room on the water for a couple of more?

Fishin-T

Zee,

Okay, same question as asked to Polepole.  You got any room on the water for a couple of more?

Fishin-T

Always my friend. Whidbey Island is the call for me. Looks like some great spots but we'll be really vulnerable to the wind. We'll have to check the weather the day before. If it's going to be reasonable,10-4, if it's going to be windy, I say we high tail it to Drano.

Planned on fly fishing today and the wind just crushed our plans. Had kite boarders all over the spot it was so windy!!!  

Z

Zee,

Okay, same question as asked to Polepole.  You got any room on the water for a couple of more?

Fishin-T

Always my friend. Whidbey Island is the call for me. Looks like some great spots but we'll be really vulnerable to the wind. We'll have to check the weather the day before. If it's going to be reasonable,10-4, if it's going to be windy, I say we high tail it to Drano.

Planned on fly fishing today and the wind just crushed our plans. Had kite boarders all over the spot it was so windy!!!  

Z

When does Halibut season open in WA? .

My Sister lives on Whidbey Island and i will be planning a trip up there soon.It would be cool to get to fish with some of the washington guys up there. I was thinking around the middle of May.
Hopefully i pick a good time for some good weather conditions. I'll keep you guys posted as the date gets set and closer..

When does Halibut season open in WA? .

My Sister lives on Whidbey Island and i will be planning a trip up there soon.It would be cool to get to fish with some of the washington guys up there. I was thinking around the middle of May.
Hopefully i pick a good time for some good weather conditions. I'll keep you guys posted as the date gets set and closer..

Opens on Wed. April 9th Thursday-Mondays only. Good deal. Let us know when you're around and let's see if we can't get out there.

Z

The earlier in the season, the better for fishing butts off Whidbey.  As Spring ends, these fish will be outmigrating.  BTW, the lingcod season is open in May so that's a good time for mixed bag fishing off Whidbey.  But you do have the weather to be concerned about because the west side of Whidbey is some of the most exposed water around here with ripping currents to boot.

-Allen

Saturday weather looks like it may cooperate, but it's too far in the future to draw any real conclusion.

 EAST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA-
.FRI AND SAT...VARIABLE WIND 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT.

 ADMIRALTY INLET-
 .FRI AND SAT...LIGHT WIND.

Looks like a nice flat morning tide too.  Hmmm ... we may be able to pull this off.   

-Allen

Where are you guys thinking of going? I've fished the bay south of the Keystone ferry. Gets gnarly on opposing wind/tides, but there's a few big ones hauled out of there every year. Under the right conditions, I'd still like to try for Partridge Bank, off Fort Ebey State Park.

Gut check time.  The weather looks good on Saturday.  Do we really want to bust our asses up to Whidbey Saturday morning to catch a limit of huge halibut before having to get back in the car and drive 5.5 hours down to Drano?  I was secretly hoping the wind would be blowing and make the decision for us.   

-Allen

Well I am not going to be able to go out this weekend but i took next thursday off and am looking for a few tips on what bait and such to use.  I think I will launch out in the sequim/port townsen area.  any tips for me?

Carl

Gut check time.  The weather looks good on Saturday.  Do we really want to bust our asses up to Whidbey Saturday morning to catch a limit of huge halibut before having to get back in the car and drive 5.5 hours down to Drano?  I was secretly hoping the wind would be blowing and make the decision for us.  

-Allen

You have to go.  You've got to show us Oregon boys how you skilled Washington fishers do it.  BTW:  We'll require some proof.  I was thinking a little BBQ'd halibut around the campfire on Saturday night.