So, what are some in-shore options come spring & summer?

Basically my dream scenario is to get off work then do some fishing maybe say up to 200 meters from shore, pretty much every single day of my life, give or take.

How realistic is this?  Looking to target ling, salmon, halibut maybe?  I've reviewed the .gov charts for fishing in various zones but they dont shed much light on where exactly in the zones one should be fishing of course.

Not looking to burn spots or anything, just looking for advice on how to sort out this sort of question really, short of grabbing binoculars and looking for like minded souls from shore or paying for a guide.

Ive heard nautical charts suggested but that seems a bit intense at this point in my evolution as a kayak fisherman (between step zero and one, to be exact).

Fishing for at least something every day here is definitely possible, but you'll be dependent on regulations. You mention ling/halibut/salmon - those are three heavily regulated species. I'd recommend familiarizing yourself with this to learn the where, and when you can target specific species - http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01726/wdfw01726.pdf

And the "honey holes" are infinite. But this site's archives + salmonuniversity's site are great resources for getting started and then some.

ill check salmonuniversity, thanks.  anyone with any words of advice specific to where the best in-shore opportunities are (read:safest to fish), please chime in

ill check salmonuniversity, thanks.  anyone with any words of advice specific to where the best in-shore opportunities are (read:safest to fish), please chime in

you'll find people here extremely helpful and forthcoming, but that's such an overly broad question as to be unanswerable...unless someone took the time to write a few pages.

it depends on a ton of different factors, most important being what's currently in season. example - only certain salmon species are open in most parts of the sound and strait, halibut's closed everywhere including the ocean, and lingcod is closed everywhere in the sound and strait as well. But first off, you didn't state where are you located and where fishing home-base is for you.

of course, sorry.  points well taken.

im in everett, so ideally im looking for opportunities from zones 8 down south through zone 10.

again, 100% not looking to spot burn, just curious what a casual enthusiast can expect without dealing with the safety issues attributed to open water and a severe deficit of physical conditioning 

lingcod - marina breakwalls
salmon - just look for the fleet. can be anywhere/everywhere
halibut - mutiny bay (but that's the most "open water")

good luck, and know that all are "open water". make sure you can self-rescue, have appropriate safety gear, knowledge and experience to get yourself out of a crappy situation without assistance.

of course, sorry.  points well taken.

im in everett, so ideally im looking for opportunities from zones 8 down south through zone 10.

again, 100% not looking to spot burn, just curious what a casual enthusiast can expect without dealing with the safety issues attributed to open water and a severe deficit of physical conditioning 

 If you are wanting to fish for the species listed---you WILL find yourself facing "Safety Issues". And you say you

 don't want to "deal with them"(safety issues). You might want to re-think your priorities. Mother nature can be so much more than "casual" .
 And with your "severe deficit of physical conditioning" maybe it would safer for you to only go to very small ponds to fish. That or start working to change that deficit and at least be conditioned enough to be able to save your own life when the need arises. Because if you spend enough time on the water --- you will eventually have to deal with "safety issues". and need to be able to get yourself out of a jam. Be able to do that.......or suffer the consequences.

 I think it's great that so many people are getting into kayak fishing. But knowledge does not come on a silver platter Some things you still have to earn . And pay some dues in the process. Make the payment in time invested, new things learned, and enjoy the journey of making discoveries that are new to you. But please, put in the time to learn. Have someone show you places on a chart where there is good fishing and learn to find likely areas. Spend some time watching successful fishermen with your binoculars and learn from them. Take a guided trip somewhere. You can get many tips on fishing in a one -on-one situation. Money well spent if you will understand how you can adapt the guides tactic to your own kayak fishing.

 diggenit
 Good luck with your dream scenario. I hope you realize your dreams .
 But I will offer this advice------- Be realistic
                                                Be willing to do a little work on your own.
                                                 Be willing and able to learn.
                                                 Evolve
                                                 Have fun doing it.

                     
               Mark












   

of course, sorry.  points well taken.

im in everett, so ideally im looking for opportunities from zones 8 down south through zone 10.

again, 100% not looking to spot burn, just curious what a casual enthusiast can expect without dealing with the safety issues attributed to open water and a severe deficit of physical conditioning 

 If you are wanting to fish for the species listed---you WILL find yourself facing "Safety Issues". And you say you

 don't want to "deal with them"(safety issues). You might want to re-think your priorities. Mother nature can be so much more than "casual" .
 And with your "severe deficit of physical conditioning" maybe it would safer for you to only go to very small ponds to fish. That or start working to change that deficit and at least be conditioned enough to be able to save your own life when the need arises. Because if you spend enough time on the water --- you will eventually have to deal with "safety issues". and need to be able to get yourself out of a jam. Be able to do that.......or suffer the consequences.

 I think it's great that so many people are getting into kayak fishing. But knowledge does not come on a silver platter Some things you still have to earn . And pay some dues in the process. Make the payment in time invested, new things learned, and enjoy the journey of making discoveries that are new to you. But please, put in the time to learn. Have someone show you places on a chart where there is good fishing and learn to find likely areas. Spend some time watching successful fishermen with your binoculars and learn from them. Take a guided trip somewhere. You can get many tips on fishing in a one -on-one situation. Money well spent if you will understand how you can adapt the guides tactic to your own kayak fishing.

 diggenit
 Good luck with your dream scenario. I hope you realize your dreams .
 But I will offer this advice------- Be realistic
                                                Be willing to do a little work on your own.
                                                 Be willing and able to learn.
                                                 Evolve
                                                 Have fun doing it.

                     
               Mark












 

I have said it before and will say it again.... Listen to Mark he knows what he's talking about and he's a good guy. To sum it up if you don't want to read it...... Be safe, use your head, don't die! ABOVE ALL LEARN YOUR LIMITS BEFORE YOU HIT BIG WATER.

"

of course, sorry.  points well taken.

im in everett, so ideally im looking for opportunities from zones 8 down south through zone 10.

again, 100% not looking to spot burn, just curious what a casual enthusiast can expect without dealing with the safety issues attributed to open water and a severe deficit of physical conditioning 

 If you are wanting to fish for the species listed---you WILL find yourself facing "Safety Issues". And you say you

 don't want to "deal with them"(safety issues). You might want to re-think your priorities. Mother nature can be so much more than "casual" .
 And with your "severe deficit of physical conditioning" maybe it would safer for you to only go to very small ponds to fish. That or start working to change that deficit and at least be conditioned enough to be able to save your own life when the need arises. Because if you spend enough time on the water --- you will eventually have to deal with "safety issues". and need to be able to get yourself out of a jam. Be able to do that.......or suffer the consequences.

 I think it's great that so many people are getting into kayak fishing. But knowledge does not come on a silver platter Some things you still have to earn . And pay some dues in the process. Make the payment in time invested, new things learned, and enjoy the journey of making discoveries that are new to you. But please, put in the time to learn. Have someone show you places on a chart where there is good fishing and learn to find likely areas. Spend some time watching successful fishermen with your binoculars and learn from them. Take a guided trip somewhere. You can get many tips on fishing in a one -on-one situation. Money well spent if you will understand how you can adapt the guides tactic to your own kayak fishing.

 diggenit
 Good luck with your dream scenario. I hope you realize your dreams .
 But I will offer this advice------- Be realistic
                                                Be willing to do a little work on your own.
                                                 Be willing and able to learn.
                                                 Evolve
                                                 Have fun doing it.

                     
               Mark

 

I have said it before and will say it again.... Listen to Mark he knows what he's talking about and he's a good guy. To sum it up if you don't want to read it...... Be safe, use your head, don't die! ABOVE ALL LEARN YOUR LIMITS BEFORE YOU HIT BIG WATER.

And, even though it's relatively sheltered, Puget Sound can still behave as "Big water" - wind, waves, and some ripping tidal currents...  It's plenty big enough to take lives every year in all manner of boats.  Be safe and know your safe limits. 

Jim

sound advice, thanks folks.

sound advice, thanks folks.

good pun!

Safety first.I live in mill creek and I am looking for someone to fish with.Do you have a drysuit?Have you rolled your boat at all?Before you get in the water this"winter" do a few things to see if your gear is secure and get the things you need to cope with safety issues.Then you can really get some fishin done.Look forward to meeting  you maybe someday.

Wow

What you oh so rudely described as "exasperated and sanctimonious" feedback is actually immensely useful and generously offered advice from people who know what they're doing, because they have been doing it for ages. They have a diehard passion the sport, and want to make sure that newcomers such as yourself equip themselves with the necessary knowledge and equipment to survive on the water. When you start off by saying "I don't know what i'm doing and i've got a serious physical deficit" that rings a lot of alarm bells in people that don't want to hear about fellow kayak anglers needlessly dying on the water.

"Thank you," instead of "screw you," would've sufficed.

Do we have a winner?