New to the site

New to this site and to the sport, just wanted to see if there are any events coming up in the near future that I could attend and learn more. Thanks for the info.

Welcome ladams!  We don't have anything formal planned in the near future, but hopefully that won't stop us from getting out.  Perhaps you can tell us a little more about yourself, like where you are located and what you typically like to fish for.

Cheers!

-Allen

Well, I reside in Moscow, ID. a little far from the coast so most of my fishing is lakes and rivers. I enjoy all types of fishing and would like to learn more about kayak fishing. We are about 4 1/2 hours from the seattle area and I plan to make many trips that direction to try something new. Allen, I think that I have talked with you at a couple of demo shows in the past. Is there anything good to fish for right now? Most of the areas around here are frozen over.

I think I remember meeting someone from Moscow, but I can't put a face to the name.  I just have a bad memory that way.  I hope to hook up with you someday to jar my memory a bit.  I would say that right now there is nothing worth driving 4 1/2 hours to Seattle for and certainly not something that can be planned much in advance.  I'll get out fishing as the windows allow, but for me the next couple months are for steelheading (non kayak).

Perhaps we'll do a late-winter/early-spring trip to Chelan like last year.  Or a spring trip to Roosevelt as suggested by Riverbase at one point.

But in the absence of anything real planned ... tell us a little about fishing in your neck of the woods.

-Allen

I moved out here from Colorado about a year and a half ago, since then I have been out for mostly warm water species, there are quite a few lakes a rivers around here that hold big smallmouth. Most of the smaller lakes are motor less and that works out well for me. Since I have not been here for too long I am still learning the good spots. I am hoping to get out on the Clearwater as well for some good steelhead fishing. I grew up in the Midwest where bass fishing rules all, so I am excited to be in the northwest where there are more species. I have heard rumors of some big muskie in a lake just east of town. There's nothing like chunking big bait for a whole day to catch one fish right?

On another note, do you have any good recommendations for my first saltwater combo, again most of the gear I have is freshwater oriented.

-Luc

Howdy Luc,

The Clearwater is great, especially for the B-runs. Have you been to the Salmon, yet? I've only driven by the lower end, and salivated.
In OR, the Grande Ronde and the Imnaha are both good. I liked the Imnaha best, small and not so crowded.

On saltwater gear; most folks use casting rods and reels, as opposed to spinning. 15-20# class gear works well, and is versatile. As with everything else, rod length is presonal; around 8 1/2-9 foot is comfortable to work a line around the end of the boat. Something that will cast up to an ounce should be okay for jigging up to 3-4 ounces. A heavy duty steelheading or spring king outfit would be a good option that would cover a lot of bases. Might be a little light for halibut, but for rockfish and lings, you'll be okay.

You can also take a look at previous discussions ... http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/bb/index.php?topic=119.0

-Allen

It sounds like some of the gear I have now will crossover into saltwater gear. I have a few casting reels that are 15-18# test. Do you think that is enough? I am hoping to make it down to the Clearwater at some point. I have been out to the North Fork of the Clearwater, the roads are too bad this time of year but if you ever get a chance to make it out there, it is well worth the drive.

Is there anything in the sound that you can catch year round? I was thinking about heading that direction after the holidays and hoping to get on the water. Also, I do not have a license in WA. Do you need any kind of special tags for any fish in the sound?

I too am from Moscow looking to get into the sport.  I do know L Adams.  I moved to Idaho from Florida, so I am familiar with saltwater fishing (east coast -snook and reds).  I would love to get started in kayak fishing. I understand that kayak fishing the Northwest run sensitive.  My question, is the halibut/cod/rockfish fishing worth a 4 1/2 hr drive over?

Welcome A Moore!

You'll probably have to drive further than 4.5 hours to make it worth your while if you're looking for halibut/cod/rockfish.

In the spring you can find halibut in the eastern part of the Strait of Juan De Fuca.  The closest area is probably around Sequim off Dungeness Spit which is about 2 hours from Seattle.  "Pisco Sicko" fished that area last year.  And I'm sure we'll give it a go this year too.

There is also a short season in the sound for lingcod usually for 6 weeks starting in May.  I won't fish for them in the lower sound mainly due to pollution.  I did give them a try (unsuccessful) with "Islander" up a Deception Pass.  I'll try it again this year, earlier in this season though before it gets hit hard.

Rockfish is not worth fishing in this area IMO.  The limit is the first one you catch and they're usually small.

For the real deal, we head out towards Neah Bay which is about 5 hours more from Seattle our on the northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula.  We made a couple nice trips out there last year including our first derby there (http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/bb/index.php?topic=87.0) and another trip earlier in the season when "Fishin-T" and I hit a halibut derby at Sekiu and followed it up the next day at Neah Bay (http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/bb/index.php?topic=4.0).

ladams ... regarding holidays here.  There are some blackmouth (immature chinook salmon) available this time of year.  Right now they are on the small side and you have to weed through undersized fish to find a legal one (22").   There should be some out in Elliott Bay or from Shilshole Bay.  You need a license and a salmon punchcard to fish them.  You gear will need to be able to handle 2-6 ounce of weight (mooching sinkers) or jigs.  If you think your gear can do that, then you'll be all right.

Let us know if you need more info!

In your neck of the woods, you should look up "Jason" here.  He pops in every now and then and lives in Spokane.  Hopefully he'll chime in on this thread sometime soon.

Cheers!

-Allen