Kayak Fishing near Seattle

I am just going to copy and paste my "introduction" that I did this morning on the Intro board... much easier than re-typing and this is the regional board with all the info I am assuming. I really appreciate any/all help!!!

Aloha everyone... my name is Trout. I guess a little bit about me would begin with me helping put modern day kayak fishing on the map in the early '90s. I was partners with Spike at CKF maaaaany moons ago... guided in San Diego and was the first Baja kayak fishing guide south of the border. I tapped out of that business and moved the family to Oahu for about 5 years and kayak fished with the Aqua Hunters and helped get that going through writing and TV. I have always done freelance writing (a good portion on kayak fishing). I now live back in San Diego and have partnered to create Ono Yum, which brings Hawaii and West Coast together through fishing, surfing, diving, paddling, music, dance, etc... but mainly through FOOD. I'll be honest... I haven't been on a message board in YEARS... just kind of surfing and kayak fishing under the radar and spending time in Baja in my free time away from the crowds. So why am I popping up now? I need help! On October 6th we are putting on a Poke Festival (if you're familiar with Hawaiian food) in Seattle. I am going early to meet up with one of our judges and go kayak fishing and get some footage and do a story for our site: www.onoyum.com - so whatever insight you could provide would be huge. If I am in Seattle, where can I get two outfitted kayaks to use for a day? Is there good fishing around Seattle, or do I have to drive to find it? Is it all bottom fish? Halibut? Salmon? Both? Obviously I need the low-down on regs, what not do, good launch spots (we are fine with bottom fish) and so on. I will probably rent a car, which means I guess I will bring soft racks... but ideally it'd be great to rent from someone on the water so I don't have to get all key stone cops with 'yaks on a tiny car that I don't own  I am very open to trade-out, as well... if we get a little love on the kayaks and help, I will gladly plug a Web site/Business in the piece that I put out. I am staying in Queen Anne... flying in Saturday morning October 3rd and could either fish Sunday or Monday. The poke fest is Tuesday night, so fishing Tuesday would be really tough unless it was all close by. I am SUPER excited to check out the Pacific Northwest. Hopefully one of you can point me in the right direction. Thanks and Aloha, Trout

Hey guys,

Trout is an old buddy of mine, having first fished with him on the Big Island maybe 6-7 years ago.  And last year, while on the Islander mothership trip at San Clemente out of San Diego, I hear this hail on the radio, "Is Allen out there?".  There were 2 Allen's on that trip, so I said which one.  It turns out it was Trout.  He had heard we were out that week, and he happened to be working on another trip out there, and had a bit of free time.  We met for a few minutes on the water, traded intel, and proceeded on our way.  Random hookup in the middle of the Pacific!  Anyways, if anyone can help hook a brother up with tips or even gear, I would much appreciate it.  I know weather can be hit and miss that time of year, but a Neah Bay trip would be high on his list.  He is hooking up with a pro surfer buddy and I'm sure they'd love to catch some waves in addition to wetting a line.

-Allen

Thanks Allen... and awesome catching up over the phone. I looked at the spot on Google Earth and it looks solid. My friend (also will be a judge at our Poke Festival) is a pro surfer from Maui living part time in Seattle who actually won a Triple Crown at Sunset Beach on Oahu not long ago and is a solid angler and spear fisherman. We are willing to make the effort/drive to get north and find some lings and reds and whatever else happens to be around... and waves would just be a bonus (and weather/swell dependent). We'd leave Seattle around lunch Saturday... get up there Saturday evening... fish/surf all day Sunday and also Monday morning, before heading back to Seattle.

Fishing sucks in Puget Sound. Early October is too soon for chum and too late for pinks. Crab is closed and the only bottom fish you can keep are flounder and greenling.
If you want good fishing head to the coast. Neah Bay is my home away from home during the summer. Halibut is closed but bottom fish is still open and it pumps out some great fish and good volume. Limit is 2 ling over 22" 1 cab over 18" and 9 rockfish no canary or yelloweye. The depth restrictions I believe ends on Oct 1st. The camping is right at the surf launch and it is very popular with surfers.
Only downside is it is a 5 hour drive from Seattle.
I'd have no problem letting you use my gear but I won't be in town that weekend. Allen also mentioned that you were looking for tuna for the poke fest. What type and how much? I may be able to help you out.
Feel free to give me a call
206 953 5077
Or email
Bliston999@gmail.com
Thanks,
~ Bill

Super helpful... thank you so much. The guy I am doing an article on is a Hawaiian pro surfer temporarily living in Seattle, so we will bring surf boards and kayak fishing gear. We will camp at Neah Bay or possibly stay with his friend that lives near there. We're just going to do a one-day power mission... catch the first ferry Sunday morning then fish the evening, surf in the morning and then fish again late morning and power back. Obviously it depends on the weather. I will bring rods/reels/tackle for bottom fish, so that just leaves two questions:

1) Where is a good place remotely near Neah Bay where I can rent a tandem kayak or two singles? I guess I can bring soft racks for rental car.

2) Is there a link to the camp sites for reservation, or is it first come first serve?

Regarding the poke festival, I think all of the competing chefs are local and will have their fish. However I will double check and if anyone is flying in for the event, I will provide your contact information for sure. I would like to meet in person, but sounds like you'll be gone. I'm there Sat - Wed.

Thanks,
Trout

I'll be back in town Sunday night. There are three kayak shops in Port Angeles. I don't know if any do rentals and have no experience with any of them.
Give me a call if you want to talk fishing around Neah Bay. If you have the Navionics app even better. There is tons of awesome structure around the camp ground, from a half a mile from the launch to as far as you want to paddle.
The camp ground in call Hobuck Beach Resort. No reservations needed and you can just pay for day access or a camping spot. Cabins are available too and they need reservations but this time of year you will have the place mostly to your self.
Give me a buzz if you like.

~Bill

How does the weather, wind, swell report look out there for that weekend (Sun-Mon)? 

you really can't predict the coastal forecast that far in advance with any degree of accuracy. but as of now, saturday's listed as 10kt E winds, 1' wind waves, and 4-5' swells.

I have no clue but it looks like either way there's a lee side and/or protected area? Not sure how far Neah Bay is from Hobuck, but it seems close. Then again one fishery may be way better than the other? Either way, I'm hoping for mellow wind but beggars can't be choosers. What's the best weather forecast link for that area? I usually use Surfline, but that's such a unique spot it's not even on their map. Thanks again...

Neah Bay harbor is about a 5 min drive from the camp ground. Fishing is good inside but way better outside, plus the limit is higher and you can keep more types of rockfish.
I use Magic Seaweed (Cape Flattery) and NOAA. Right now the surf forcast looks far better for fishing than it does for surfing.
If you can order some Lancer Jigs and have them sent to your friends house you will be set gear wise. Those things catch everything!

He's not kidding about 'everything'  rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, halibut, even salmon.  Those things just work.

+1 on the Lancers

Ok... so roger that on the Lancers. Now I just need to figure out where to rent my kayak (hopefully near Neah Bay). Looks like there's a place in Port Angeles. Worst case there are charter boats, but I definitely want to give the 'yak a shot if the wind is down. Also need to grabe a WA fishing license, but it looks like I can grab one there (worst case online). Looks like we are camping on the coast, so things are lining up. Thanks all...