Memorial Day Weekend Halibut

OH ya last time I checked Walmart in PA had lots of bait, herring and squid. On your left hand side as you come into town. I imagine the derby guys may take it though before the weekend. Something to check out on your way in.

Halibut fishing in marine areas 3 and 4 will be open Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays until the May portion of the quota is reached. The fishery will then reopen on June 19 and 21 within certain boundaries.  Coordinates are published in the 2007-08 Fishing in Washington pamphlet at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm .  Henry reminds anglers that, starting May 21, recreational fishing for rockfish and lingcod in marine areas 3 and 4 is not allowed in waters deeper than 20 fathoms, except on days the halibut fishery is open. Coordinates can be found under Emergency Rule Updates at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm .

On the Strait of Juan de Fuca, anglers fishing near Port Angeles have been averaging one halibut for every four rods.  Halibut fishing opens May 24 in Marine Area 5 (Seiku) and runs five days a week - Thursday through Monday - through Aug. 3.

That looks like you would only have Sat to fish in MA4 for hali

We can fish MA4 on Sunday too, just not deeper than 20 fathoms and not for butts. Although the 20 fathom line has a specific area for it and I haven't yet deciphered the GPS coordinates from the rules.

-Allen

OK, so I just picked up some 30# PowerPro, 3 oz. jig heads, white,root beer and motor oil grubs, new fish finder & battery, 9' 15-40 Ex. heavy rod, a smattering of silver spoons and 4 live chickens ( just checking to see if you're awake!).

Now I have to install the fish finder and the extra rod holder this afternoon...

 

I'll be locked & loaded with the 8 wt., butt rod (that just sounds wrong) and my spinning rod for lighter lures.

I'm off to pray for good weather now...

What kind of chickens?   

-Allen

We can fish MA4 on Sunday too, just not deeper than 20 fathoms and not for butts. Although the 20 fathom line has a specific area for it and I haven't yet deciphered the GPS coordinates from the rules.

-Allen

No butts on sunday, thats what I meant.

OK, 4 live chickens ( just checking to see if you're awake!).


 with the 8 wt., butt rod (that just sounds wrong)
I'm off to pray for good weather now...

WOW sounds fun. (I couldn't resist)

Hmmm, I'll have to see if I can dig up an old, but functional, reel for my new 8wt.

If I remember correctly, the 20 fathom rule applies to the outside, not inside Tatoosh, and from the map I saw on the website, looked pretty generous.

If the winds are from the S, we should be OK on the strait, (unless screaming); if they're strong from the NW, then the 'Duc or Dungeness Spit would be our best bets.

Chickens? I'll bring a portable BBQ!

The reason why I mentioned the chickens was because I had this old timer at Outdoor Emporium tell me a story about this big halibut he caught on a chicken thigh.

I'm actually planning on bringing the portable BBQ for Friday night...

Well, MA4 is closing for butts after only 3 days.   

-Allen

Sport halibut fishing to close May 19 at day’s end off LaPush and Neah Bay

OLYMPIA – The recreational halibut fishery off the north coast of Washington will close Saturday, May 19 at 11:59 p.m., when the catch is expected to approach the May harvest quota, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

In just two days of fishing, anglers hauled in nearly 2,100 halibut averaging 21.9 pounds apiece in marine areas 3 (LaPush) and 4 (Neah Bay), said Phil Anderson, special assistant to the WDFW director.

By the time fishing ends Saturday, the cumulative harvest for all three days is expected to draw near the 83,663-pound quota for May, he said.

Anderson noted that 1,351 anglers fishing on the north coast May 17 caught 1,134 fish. Halibut season in marine areas 3 and 4 opened May 15, with fishing limited to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

“At this rate, it’s doubtful that we’ll have enough poundage left for another day of fishing in May,” Anderson said. “Fishing has been excellent, and we’ve counted a phenomenal number of boats on the water. So far, we’ve been moving toward the quota at a record pace.”

Once catch figures through May 19 have been confirmed, fishery managers will decide whether they can allow another day of fishing in May or whether they should transfer any remaining poundage to the fishery scheduled in June, Anderson said.

“We’ll be making that announcement soon,” he said.

Halibut fishing in marine areas 3 and 4 is scheduled to reopen June 19 and 21 under a separate quota. Anglers fishing those days in those two areas will be restricted to waters no more than 30 fathoms deep, as specified in WDFW’s 2007-08 Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet.

Meanwhile, halibut fishing remains open seven days a week in Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco), and five days a week (Thursday through Monday) in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and all other areas of Puget Sound except Hood Canal.

Whoa! At this rate, next years season is going to be 1 day in duration. 

On the plus side, at least the department is paying attention (they have to, since halibut are administered by the International Halibut Commission, outside state waters.)

So what's the plan of attack now? Fish a little further east in the Strait I assume...

Camping at Hobuck's is still within easy reach of anywhere we would fish.  Let's wait and see what the weather will do.  The long range forecast looks good right now.  If it's still looking good to target butts, then it's only ~15 miles east of Hobucks.  And if we want to target ling/rockies in MA4 we can pull off anywhere along the straits and paddle out to the edge of the kelp.  We may want to do both so we get the best "experience" on Saturday.  Wayne, are you heading home Saturday night or Sunday morning?

-Allen

I probably leave Saturday night, but it depends on how the fishing is...

I'm packed and ready to roll!

Looks like the weather is going to be nice.

-Allen

 WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA-
 848 AM PDT WED MAY 23 2007
 
 .SAT...W WIND 10 KT RISING TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT.
 .SUN...W WIND 10 KT. WIND WAVES 1 FT.