Handline Blake Island for Lings

 

I launch around noon on from the Armeni boat launch in West Seattle. The fee for the launch is $10 so I think next time I will just leave from the Alki Beach which is right up the road. The launch is not busy and is quite nice, it even has a bit of sand built up on one of the sides of the four ramps perfect for staging my kayak trip. My intention for the day is to stay within a couple miles of the boat launch and try to find some ling cod off of some rocks and points. This is not exactly how the day ends up though.

As I paddle around looking for a suitable place to fish I happen upon a couple of guys in a boat. I ask how things are going and seeing how I am new to Ling cod fishing I ask about techniques, rigs, bait and locations. They mention that they are catching sand dabs near the boat launch to use for bait to catch ling cod off of Blake Island. I joke that I might just head out there and I move on to find what I figure to be suitable habitat for Lings.

After about an hour of trying to find the correct structure and depth combination for lings with no luck, I round Alki Point and in the distance Blake Island becomes visible. The weather is great and the waves were minimal so I decide to go out and check it out. The GPS says it is a four mile paddle which at a comfortable pace takes about an hour or a little less since I don't have any camping gear with me.

Despite having to dodge a few boats and ferries I arrive safely to Blake Island. On first impression the island is beautiful. The first point I come too is the day use portion of the island and the marina. I stop in to stretch and check it all out. The beach is made up of nicely rounded rocks making landing very easy on the feet and the boat. Next to the beach stretches a nicely groomed lawn area. There is water, full pluming bathrooms, a Native American style traditional salmon bake and great areas to accommodate groups of all sizes (Charcoal grills, picnic tables, pavilions). There are at least three campgrounds on the island that have both primitive and full hookup campsites including an area for human/wind powered beachable watercraft.

Once I finish my stretching and exploration of the area I launch once again into the sound because after all my primary goal is to catch fish. I try a few spots that I think might hold fish with no luck. There are no other fishermen in the area so I knew I have not yet arrived at the spot I had seen other fishing boats headed too. As that thought passes through my head a fishing boat flies past me and heads to the other side of the island. I follow it to find a group of about a dozen boats drifting down the back side of the island in the current.

When I make it to the group I recognize the two guys I had talked to earlier and I join up with them to try to pick up on some idea of how to catch these lings. They had just reset after catching a 40” ling which they had to throw back because in this area the slot limit is 26” to 36”. Shortly after I deploy my hand line I also have a fish on but only for a very short time before it snaps off. I reset and tie on my only other 4oz jig. It doesn't take long and that jig is also caught up on something and snaps off. This leaves me with no heavy jigs so I try with a 2oz but it doesn't drag along the rocks properly because the current is too fast and there is a lot of drag at 100ft of depth.

After a few more tries I decide to call it a day and head back to Alki beach. This turns out to be quite the trip. As the day had gone on its normal course the winds had picked up causing the surf to follow. The waves are now much higher than I had expected and I slowly become a bit nervous as I make more room between me and the closest shore which is Blake island. The waves are coming in from the side and are giving my spray skirt a run for its money.

I continue on and paddle hard to make progress and soon I can tell I am over half way to Alki beach. The waves never give up and if anything they grow larger as a few of them even sweep over my entire boat. I am soaked by the waves but my hard paddling, adrenaline and the sun keep me warm.

When I reach the shore I think things will get better which in a way they do but also things get worse. They get better because if I am to dump I will be able to save myself without any issues but the surf is even harsher now and is pushing me and turning me into shore. It almost seems as if it is intentionally trying to flip me. I come around the bend to the area where the boat launch is hoping it will be protected from the surf but the waves still prevail and rip around the corner. Fortunately the docks provide a bit of protection and allow me to land safely.

With great joy I get out of my boat and pick it up and place it on my blazer parked about fifty yards away. I rest and try to dry out a bit before finishing packing up and heading back. Eventually the adrenaline wears off and I start to get the chills. At this point I quickly wrap everything up and get into the Blazer and blast the heat all the way home. I find a parking spot and then I run home and perch myself up on the couch and wrap myself in a blanket for most of the night. Besides the warmth, the only thing that could make me happier is if I would have landed that fish.

 For more Kayaking stories check out my blog. http://www.paddlethenorthwest.com/

sounds like fun, but you know i have never paid to launch at armeni ramp... or you could launch at Lincoln park, for free... wayy  shorter of a trek too   fyi

That's a rough day trip for Lings. I've done it many times to camp, but once I get over to Blake I don't want to come back the same day. All the campgrounds are great out there. Lots of first for me at that place, first place I took the wife kayak camping, my kid kayak camping riding in my boat, my kid's first crossing with camp gear in her own boat. It's the perfect spot to do an overnight trip fish salmon during the evening and the morning bite. You leave the city for less than 24 hours but feel like you've been gone for days.

Next year hit those Lings on the Elliot Bay Marina jetty or the rock rip-rap anywhere around the bay. They are in all water depths, even 3 feet down. Your handline setup and a 2 oz jig will work great and none of those deep strong currents to deal with.

Handline?  Brings back memories.

Nice report Dave.

Handline?  Brings back memories.

Nice report Dave.

Certainly a 20 pounder

Would have been a better report had I actually caught something. I did eventually get my keeper ling. I was out in the San juan islands the next week. Got it on my bait caster though. Great fight.

good read...explain more on handline? have done it for tuna but not sure the same...

My hand line rig is 3mm climbing rope for 120 ft and then a large barrel swivel connecting a six foot mono leader (40lb test) and then a smaller  barrel snap swivel connecting the jig to the leader.

thanks, first time have heard of that other than for tuna.