Anyone fishing around Oak Harbor?

Hey, guys. Long time reader. Always been a fan of this community, due to deployments, I never had a good opportunity to pick a kayak up and give it a shot. I just moved up to Oak Harbor from Bremerton, and I picked up a 12' Ellie 120 Coast XE. It's not my ideal fishing Kayak, but the deal was too jaw-dropping to pass up. I launched from a beach yesterday, and was surprised at how well it did despite the absolutely TERRIBLE wind. Hoping for some better conditions this weekend.

Anyway, I'm looking to get into lings, hopefully Salmon and crab later on in the year. Anyone do any Kayak fishing up here? Hoping I can get in with someone to avoid going alone. I'm VERY under-geared compared to the veterans lurking around this page, but I have all the proper safety gear and basic fishing equipment to get through a day.

-Andrew

Welcome,

I'm a Northern Der living  in Edmonds,  I have never fished around Gig Harbor area.  I plan too this year.  Give a shout if you come North.

Welcome,

I'm a Northern Der living  in Edmonds,  I have never fished around Gig Harbor area.  I plan too this year.  Give a shout if you come North.

Will do! hoping Whidbey will produce some great opportunities.

Just wanted to say hello and welcome you to the site. I'm a OHHS grad and my Dad still lives there so I get up there on occasion. Next time I'm going up I will be taking a kayak so I can take my Dad out. I will post it up when I do.

I am also a new member ,I have been lurking in the back ground ,learning from the experts . This a great forum for a new guy like me. I haven't bought a kayak yet but I will some time soon ,as soon as I decide which is the best one for me. I live on the South end of Whidbey so maybe later this spring we can get together . I am thinking the outback would be best for me ,I am brand new to this sport but not new to fishing .

Looking forward to hearing from both you dudes!

I have lived in Oak Harbor for more than 50 years, and fished all over the area.  I currently have a 2012 Outback that has become my primary fishing machine.  Most of my fishing now is freshwater, but I do go crabbing and occasionally fish the salt in my Outback.  Saltwater regulations have become so restrictive over the years, that I have pretty much focused on crabbing and trout.  Welcome to this forum.  It's a great place to gather information about our great hobby.  I have owned several different kayaks, and I'm a huge Hobie Outback fan.  Your Elie looks like it would do just fine up here, but I'm just looking at the paper specs...  I also have used both the trident 11 and 13, and they all are excellent choices for local waters.  You do have to pay close attention to the tides and weather in our Island environment.  I hope to get out there sometime this next week, just to be on the water after a long winter.  I have fished quite a bit off Deception Island.  Normally I'll launch at Bowman Bay.



Enjoy!

I haven't had mine out up North by Whidbey, but I have an Elie Gulf 120XL, very similar to the Coast.  It handles conditions here in the Sound just fine.  Tides will certainly be your big thing to watch out for...  Learn the rhythms for the places you go or they can whup your ass...  Oh, and welcome from Gig Harbor 🙂

Jim

I look forward to getting PMs from all of you!

I just moved to Oak Harbor as well.  Im used to yak fishing in San Diego CA but looking forward to the Pacific North West!

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