MA 10 report

My girlfriend and I were out North of Meadow Point (Launch at Golden Gardens) over the 4th.  We hooked a large variety of stuff. Sculpin, flounder, dogfish and a 3lb chinook (woohoo)! All released, the chinook had a clipped fin but isn't legal until the 16th. I just didn't think I could keep it alive in the bathtub until the 16th (just kidding).
We'll be headed out there this Sunday (7-8-07) around 9am to search for other salmon species. If anyone wants to join us that would be real cool to have us yak fishers make a showing. 


Kurt

Sorry I missed ya fishbyte. I'm in MA10 also and searching for that elusive Salmon!
Would be great to fish with someone just so the chances of seeing someone catch a salmon would go up! I got it bad I know.

Z

Hey "Zee"

We didn't get on the water until 10:30. It was a bit rough with a cool wind for the first 2 hours.  Then at high tide everything just flattened out. The fish were almost bothersome, we hooked and released 4 blackmouth, all about 15in. When they're that small they look like pinks, small scales too. At least for me, I had to check the mouth for final identification (those black gums and black tongue with teeth is a dead give away). Spots are no help when there that small.
At one point I only had my line out 10 pulls when a blackmouth hit just behind the boat. There were bigger fish spotted jumping but not on to my line. Or anyone else's line for that matter. Only incidental catch of the day was a flounder caught on the troll. Is troll caught Puget Sound flounder better than the ones that sit on the bottom? I'll never get up the nerve to know.
Another great sighting was  a couple of Dahl Porpoise 20ft in front of the yak. Kind of surreal when you only hear the blowhole noise and don't see them yet.

I finally rigged a rear holder for the rod in the back of my tandem yak. I've had a rod holder between the seats but the pole is somewhat in the way of a full paddle stroke. Not a problem for trolling as I like to troll slow. But, to paddle any distance I would prefer the rod to be out of the way. Both the net and the rear rod can now face out the back to allow both a full paddle stroke and a safe position for the rod upon launch and landing (no really, it's a kayak not a rocket). I have a Sit in Yak so it is a bit tougher to rig.

Looking forward to July 16th, I won't be fishing that day but for sure the weekend of the 21st and 22nd. Chinook are actually allowed for harvest in MA9 (hatchery only, 22"min). It's been years since this has been allowed, I can't tell you how many chinook I've released in that area. Most of the Chinook were hooked on the Kitsap Peninsula, Foulweather Bluff area (a bit beyond Point No Point). I see they have closed the waters for the inlet to Hood Canal which is where Foulweather Bluff is located. But, you can still fish the outer waters which is a very good area to paddle.
If you don't want the hastle of the ferry there is the beach area between Picnic Point and the shipwreck which seems to be a good holding spot for wayward chinook and more so for larger coho, nevermind the stellar sealion that's as big as Michael Jordan. Lucky for you he's mostly looking for females instead of kayaks. Although, he might want that salmon on your line Picnic Point or Carkeek Park is probably where you'll find me on the 21st and 22nd. I'll decide here by next weekend.

Can you make it??? Anyone else???

Kurt

Has anyone else been out in MA10?  I'm thinking about launching from Golden Gardens on Saturday morning. 

Elliott Bay should be getting hot the following weekends, so I'll probably be there.   

Has anyone else been out in MA10?  I'm thinking about launching from Golden Gardens on Saturday morning. 

Elliott Bay should be getting hot the following weekends, so I'll probably be there.   

Hey Davew, where's Golden Gardens at? I may be able to fish this weekend but depends on the WAF situation... I've been fishing a whole lot recently. although once I bring home a salmon the WAF will surely increase!

Z

Golden Gardens Park is a Seattle park just north of the Shilshole marina and mouth of the ship canal/locks. 

Golden Gardens Park is a Seattle park just north of the Shilshole marina and mouth of the ship canal/locks. 

Ah.. got ya. I went by on the 4th and that beach was soooooooo crowded! Lots of good scenery though

If you do go out @ golden Gardens make sure to go well north of Meadow Point since that area is closed to Salmon fishing from July 1- August 31. The closed area is a straight line from Meadow Point to West Point.

Z

Launching at Golden Gardens is very easy after you find parking. It's tough to keep focused with all the scenery . Usually before 9am is the best time to find parking. If you go later the scenery will slow you a bit .
Its a very short paddle around Meadow point but you should go North a bit to avoid the shallows of flounders, sculpin and dogfish. Once you get about 60 ft depth troll East towards Carkeek Park. Most of my strikes have been leaving Carkeek and trolling back to Meadow point.
I'm thinking of launching at three tree point this Sunday. I haven't checked the tides but I have a hall pass with the girlfriend because she has to work .
Since I have a tandem I'll play fish guide and bring along one of my friends that can't believe one can fish from a yak. Three tree point is South of West Seattle and West of Seatac airport, West of Burien. This is MA11 and Hatchery Chinook are fair game now. Take HWY 509 south to the 160th st exit. Go right (west) cross first ave and go left at the new Highline Health center. follow road as it curves through nice expensive homes, you will come out at a neighborhood right on the water with an over abundance of flags. Keep going as the road turns right there is parking available after the curve and launch at the turn behind you or go two streets after the right turn, turn left and there is a parking area in front of a laurel bush. This is where the divers enter and its a bit steep to launch but if your yak is light or you can shuttle gear down the short steep area (about a 10ft rough section) it can be a great launch area.

Anyone else want to join me???

Kurt