Whidbey Island, Skykomish?

I am looking for a little advice for next week. I have a chance to take my dad fishing for the day (in from the Midwest).

What do you think would be the best combination of experience/fishing? He’s visited these places in the 4 or 5 years I’ve been living in the Midwest, but hasn’t fished them hard for a whole day before.

Whidbey Island – launch off Bush Point, paddle around a bit, look for jumping pinks and cohos, casting buzzbombs and others spoons. I only have one fishing kayak, but the recreational kayak I have seems to work fine for paddling and general casting. I figure we could take a couple pit stops, like the beach at South Whidbey, and let him stretch his legs and cast from shore, too.

Canoe down the Sky from Sultan to Monroe and fish for pinks. I haven’t done this in a canoe before, and would be appreciate any advice. It doesn’t look too tricky from the descriptions I’ve read, and I see people doing it in tubes.

Or would we do better beach casting from Whidbey or wading along the Sky? I know this is a kayak site, so kind of silly to ask, but do you think getting out on the water greatly helps your odds off Whidbey for pinks? Sometimes it seems like I’ve spent more time paddling around (which is fun) than fishing, but this trip I’d like to get him on some fish.

Other spots to consider, either from kayak, canoe or shore? We’ll be able to fish mid-week, about one week from today.

Thanks in advance for any tips.

The pinks are not really that far up the sky yet, at least not in numbers. Maybe float from Snohomish down to Everett. Or stand on the bank with everyone else just down from the 522 bridge. I was just out at picnic point this last Saturday.  Only caught one pink but they were jumping every where. My vote would be for the first option.

Are you planning on going out on the weekend or weekday?  I've put three limits of pinks in my yak this past week between Everett and snhomish--/from my yak.   The weekdays aren't too crowded but the weekday are a zoo.  I'm Happy to give you any details.  Either choice will make it a great day with your dad.  Good luck

I've been banking it on the puyallup a couple times a week,(between kayak trips) and my best day is 60 pinks and 2 silvers. So If you want to guarantee him some salmon, almost every cast, among the crowds, the puke is the way to go.

Trying to avoid the crowds. Probably gonna hit it Tuesday or Wed (next week)...leaning towards Whidbey. Should be plenty of pinks still around, right?

I agree with laughinsteelhead your best bet is launching in Lowell Everett and paddling up toward Snohomish or Snohomish to everett

There were some pinks around today at Ebeys Landing.  Not much tide flowing and lots of crap lining the shore, but I managed to catch one of the 6 that I had on.  I left the kayak home today, but I'm thinking of going tomorrow in the Outbackl.  We'll see what the weather is like....  Several folks near me caught pinks today and I was only there a couple of hours. 

Good luck!

Likely shooting for Whidbey midweek...any new reports?

Went out of Mukilteo yesterday. As many pinks as you want. Used pink jigs and was hooking up pretty much every second or third cast when I was in the fish. Everyone was scoring - though not as much from shore. Switched to very light gear and flyrod just for extra fun. I don't know about Whidbey but Humpy Hollow (Mukilteo) as certainly hot and should be for awhile.

Thanks - I'd prefer to get over to Whidbey due to the experience, but not if fishing is significantly better near Mukilteo. Where do you put in? You just paddle out and start looking for jumpers?

Also, for the jigs, how heavy were you using? Slow and steady retrieve back with a twitch here and there?

What do you use for jumpers? A buzzbomb? I saw a ton of jumper next to me (as close as 10 feet) in Mukilteo on Sunday, but I had lures for trolling only.

I am pretty sure wherever you go you'll get pinks. They are thick now. Deception Pass west beach is great. Fort Casey should be good too. If you go to mukilteo you can launch on the beach just near the boat launch. Head south. You should start seeing jumpers pretty quick.

CF, 2 or 2.5" pink buzzbombs are standard. I like a small pink hoochie over the hook. The buzzbomb separates from the hook and the hoochie gets them to strike at the hook rather than the bb.

I prefer the pink jig and similar pictured below. Mine were 1/8 oz. They also hit on purple, blue and white (I was experimenting) but pink was best. Rory had the launch location and southern direction right. Shouldn't have to go far.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it. You think south of Mukilteo has far more fish than off Whidbey? Is that due to their migration route to the rivers?

I'll be setting my dad up with just a plain old recreational kayak and no dry suit, so I'd prefer to stick pretty close to him and not get out real far. (He's an experienced paddler, but still...).

Overall, I like the idea of Bush Point for making a day of it (especially for the experience since he is from the Midwest) and stretching legs on the beach there for a break from the fishing, but I don't want to pass on the main schools of pinks either...thanks again.

Just for the record - I have no knowledge or opinion regarding Whidbey. I was simpy reporting on Mukilteo yesterday. For a complete Northwest Experience, Whidbey sounds like a great idea too.