Instructional kayak fishing video for Nisqually Delta Flounder

I think 16 to 18 inches is the optimum. 

I think 16 to 18 inches is the optimum.

+1 there's not a lot of return on fish <15", and 18" is a typical large fish out there. I've had a few over 20" as well, but never noticed an abundance of parasites. I get FAR more from rockfish

We can time the tides, but that doesn't allow much of a window. There's no where for us to set up our tables, tents, and grills. Plus we require a decent size beach or shore line to set up boats and what not. Then there's the paddle, and distance from the launch to assist possibly injured participants. It would be nice to put our vets on some big starry flounder, but that's just not the right place. We utilize a couple other south sound beaches where they catch loads of other flat fish while soaking crab pots though!

Has anyone fished Burley Lagoon over at the head of Henderson Bay for flounder?  It's nice and shallow, there's a decent tidal exchange to circulate water even with a very constricted opening, and the bottom is sandy to muddy depending on where you're at in there.    I've paddled in the lagoon a couple of times but not fishing...


Jim

Is that where the old logging dock pylons are? If so I've caught quite a few sea run cutts there, but no flounder. In all fairness it's been a couple of years since I was in there though.

OK so maybe not a HOW event, would anyone be willing in letting me tag along and show me the ropes.  I am new to the kayaking world but I have everything needed except a fish finder and the knowledge?

Not sure if there is a size or limit on those things where you are catching them, but as a kid, my parents would take us out flounder fishing.  I thought it a tad strange when they would take all the big ones and throw them back.  They'd look at the fish and anything that looked to have too many parasites got thrown back  We would end up with a bucket full of flounder that was probably about the size of a grown man's hand.

They would brine the flounder after cutting an "X" into both sides.  Once brined, it would get dried and frozen.  Grilled whole, they were AWESOME!  You can bake, but our favorite method was a little seasoning, a little dusting of four, whole into hot oil.  Lemon juice or ponzu and it was delicious!

Is that where the old logging dock pylons are? If so I've caught quite a few sea run cutts there, but no flounder. In all fairness it's been a couple of years since I was in there though.

Way up at the end of the lagoon, yes there was a long line of dock pilings (remnants of them anyway...).  It looked like all mud up that far, getting more sandy down towards the opening under the Purdy Spit bridge.   I hit those pilings about high tide, and it was pretty shallow up there 

I should go give it a try.  And if the fish don't bite I can always get a good workout by 'shooting the rapids' under the bridge with a good tide exchange  Takes a little effort getting back 'upstream' for the next round thru... 

OK so maybe not a HOW event, would anyone be willing in letting me tag along and show me the ropes.  I am new to the kayaking world but I have everything needed except a fish finder and the knowledge?

Absolutely! Likely going Monday if you can swing it

What tides do you look at if I was launching at luhr landing /beach? Looking on my phone I just don't get much tide info for the area.

What tides do you look at if I was launching at luhr landing /beach? Looking on my phone I just don't get much tide info for the area.

Here's a link to tides at the N end of Anderson Island across the channel: http://www.dairiki.org/tides/daily.php/yomp

Closest one I saw on their list.

Jm

http://www.saltwatertides.com/dynamic.dir/washingtonsites.html

Dupont Warf,Nisqually Reach under the "Puget Sound" heading

Thank you both.I want to try next weekend if weather and tides look good.

Another area that holds some good numbers of bigger founder is the South side of Fox Island if you happen to be over on the Gig Harbor side.  Launching is a bit creative.  The Fox Island fishing pier does have access to the beach so if you have a cart you can walk down the hill (and will be forced to walk back up, not for the faint of heart).  If you drift south on the outgoing and fish "big rock" (47°13'28.7"N 122°37'01.6"W) area in about 20ish feet of water, near the beach you will find them. When you get around the corner you won't need to ask where big rock is.

I have done this in my big boat, but not yet in the kayak.  Planning on doing it sometime in the spring summer.   My plan will be to go with the current on both directions, so I will float the last hour+ of incoming and then fish the switch, and float back with the outgoing.   Word of caution the switch can get quite sporty out in the main channel.  Significant washing machine action out there.  Not so bad around the corner.

Good luck

ps. there may be some secret launch spot on the south side of Fox Island that I am unaware of.  I wish there were a spot closer to launch.

Another area that holds some good numbers of bigger founder is the South side of Fox Island if you happen to be over on the Gig Harbor side.  Launching is a bit creative.  The Fox Island fishing pier does have access to the beach so if you have a cart you can walk down the hill (and will be forced to walk back up, not for the faint of heart).  If you drift south on the outgoing and fish "big rock" (47°13'28.7"N 122°37'01.6"W) area in about 20ish feet of water, near the beach you will find them. When you get around the corner you won't need to ask where big rock is.

I have done this in my big boat, but not yet in the kayak.  Planning on doing it sometime in the spring summer.   My plan will be to go with the current on both directions, so I will float the last hour+ of incoming and then fish the switch, and float back with the outgoing.   Word of caution the switch can get quite sporty out in the main channel.  Significant washing machine action out there.  Not so bad around the corner.

Good luck

ps. there may be some secret launch spot on the south side of Fox Island that I am unaware of.  I wish there were a spot closer to launch.

There is an access point at 47.239547, -122.631745 where Rainier Road terminates at the beach.  It's a frequent shore dive location for scuba, Google "Fox Island West Wall" and you'll find lots of info.  Been a while since I was there, so I don't recall if there were too many rocks or steps down to the beach itself, but it's a possibility.  A little further to paddle compared to the fishing pier but not bad...  Another spot I need to take the boat and try 

Jim

Awesome!  I saw that on a map but have not driven it so now I know!  Thanks!