Report: Lopez Island rockfishing

NogginYakker and I decided to try and get a ling on the board so went out to the San Juans to give it a shot. We found a spot to launch on the map which looked great. Stairs all the way to the beach. When we got there turned out the last 25 feet or so was washed away leaving about a 10' drop. We got out the ropes and shimmied the yaks down and got to fishing. Or should I say catching?

Had an underling on my first drop and sent it back. Had a copper and sent it back. That was pretty much the routine all day. Ling, copper, ling, copper ... Nothing really huge for all our efforts but sure was good fun. Swimbaits worked early in the day and then the Trix Jetty Worm took over. Jigged and potholed for 12 additional coppers and 3 lings. Best ling went 25" and best copper 13.75"

Z





This little copper just hammered this huge swimbait.

I still haven't figured out how a 10 inch fish can try to eat an 8 inch jig lol...but they do...nice work guys i knew if you guys went up that way u be catching something

Good job guys, even without keeper Lings beats sitting around watching fishing shows on tv...

very kewl...so did you take your mom with you?....i am searching my brain for the location of 25 steps down to the beach on Lopez and coming up blank...

Hmmm, if it's the place that I'm thinking it's a little county park on the south side. If I'm correct, last year there was a "closed" sign at the top of the stairs.

Glad you guys caught some fish, but even gladder that you didn't find my honey holes. It looks like Janni and I will spend a long weekend out there, starting Thursday evening. Tides should be good.

must be shark reef or agate beach....

watch the last 10 steps...can be a doozie

must be shark reef or agate beach....

watch the last 10 steps...can be a doozie

The park I was thinking of is a few mile east of Agate. Probably some big current around Shark Reef.

You guys are very warm.. but no cigar.

The current got pretty insane through some of the straits and channels even with a small 7' tide exchange. It got to the point we were side drifting for lings!!

Z

Sounds like a very nice day Papasan!

Ah, maybe the fuel docks?

I've experienced the current out there, too, last year with both my daughter and my wife in the wherry. It was a little breezy, too. We were in the islands to the west of Richardson and I had to use the little eddies and ferry back and forth to buck the tide and wind. Since we had launched at Mackaye Harbour, it was a grunt.

Sorry about my tardiness in adding to this report, but yesterday being "Mom's day" meant only enough time to enter my small cabby into AOTY. Will post some photos and add to Z's report tonight.

BTW, Z is mistaken... we actually launched and fished around Orcas Island... 

- Karl

ahhhh ORCAS island.... now that makes more sense

i thought blackie brady was on shaw island?

i thought blackie brady was on shaw island?

Ha ha. We have a winner!

Z

Alright, kinda late, but here's a few pics...