Marine area 7 spots?

Tomorrow is supposed to be "partly cloudy, 57 degees with light winds" so I'm thinking of getting out in marine area 7...just to get out.  I haven't retained an attorney to decode the WA sport regulations, but as far as I can tell I can legally fish for rock sole and flounder.  I've caught several rock sole out in bellingham bay but I was wondering if there are any better areas near bellingham anyone knows of where the fishing's better (bham bay sucks, imho).  Maybe up near Blaine?

Also, what's good to catch them on?  I've caught them on cut-plugged herring, but I was fishing for salmon.  Is there a better way to catch them? 

Finally, is there anything else legal to catch in area 7 this time of year?  I actually don't mind if I catch nothing, just looking forward to a day on the water!

Tall Man,

I'm thinking that you're right on "target" for a target species.  I guess you could pursue chinooks so long as you get out of the Bellingham Bay - Padilla Bay area, but the waters up toward Blaine aren't particularly noted for salmon abundance.  Bellingham area either, for that matter.  Reallistically speaking, that pretty much leaves flounders and sole for the time being, just like you were thinking.

How should you catch them?  I haven't caught very many myself (yet), but I'm inclined to think that it's best to think small because of their tiny mouths.  Also, think sandy, small gravel, mud bottoms.  Here's some good and recent input on exactly this subject:  http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,4335.0.html

Fishin-T

Someone once told me that Matsmats bay was a good spot for little flattys. And that small grubs where good, or small crabs. I bet blood worms would work too.

if the wind is down launch off the beach at birch bay state park and paddle out around the corner to pt whitehorn...lots of flounder out there (use a night crawler on the bottom) and you might score something else

done this myself and its a good trip, if the wind is down

semiahmoo spit is also a good place to launch but i havent fished that much so i dont know about the fishing

Thanks everybody for the suggestions - I'll be checking them all out!  I was up at Dave's Sporting Goods in Lynden on Saturday and talked to Eli (great resource for local fishing), he recommended Bowman Bay at Deception Pass.  Said there was decent fishing for Greenling and Flounder/Sole.  Sure enough, I fished around the island off Bowman bay and was in the fish all afternoon - mostly Greenling caught on herring.  The weather was gorgeous and the water was calm, it was a smashing success!

Nice work tall_man!

hmmmm...nice greenling

daves' is my favorite store

One of my favorite local spots and a good location for greenling.  I've caught a few nice ling out that way also, but never flounders.  It's a pretty location to kayak also.

Good on ya!

On Dave's (of Dave's Outdoor store) suggestion I headed up to Point Migley this afternoon.  I can't see how this would ever be a good place to fish, from a kayak or otherwise...unless I'm missing something.  There are no kelp beds, no dropoffs.  Just waves crashing on rocks.  Not fun.  I did catch a small greenling, and oddly enough, a crab.  Otherwise it was a bust.  I am wondering if anyone in/around Bellingham has successfully fished the W side of Lummi?  And if so, how did you access?  it's too far to get to from Goosberry Point on a kayak.  I'd like to get to Lummi Rocks, but I am unsure of water access on the W side of lummi if I were to take my car (with kayak) onto the ferry.  Thanks!

migley is OK for salmon but dont know about bottom fish...legoe bay is good but access is challenging, all private property.  there is a small county owned beach along the west side of lummi island with access and parking.  i fished legoe bay last summer and i C&R all day long and my arms were sore from all the "activity"  

HBH,

I'm curious to know where this county beach on the west side of Lummi island is.  Is there any way you can point out the rough location on a google map?

http://tinyurl.com/yay9puh

Thanks!

Rory

i could but i would have to hurt you later 

parking lot across the street from the willows inn is county parks property (shhhh  )

Thanks HBH - I'll take the ferry out there and poke around the next nice day we have. 

I took advantage of the incredible weather we had yesterday and fished deception pass area.  Caught a decent size Greenling on a very large herring.  He (or rather, she) is marinating now!

Tall Man,

I've caught quite a few of those over the years, but I never did eat one.  I'm not sure why except that everyone that I fished with threw them back all this time and so I assumed they weren't that good.  However, one of their slang names is "Rock Trout", so maybe...

So tell us, how have they cooked up for you?


Fishin-T

Dude that's a macker Greenie alright! Nice catch TM.

I've caught quite a few of those over the years, but I never did eat one.  I'm not sure why except that everyone that I fished with threw them back all this time and so I assumed they weren't that good.  However, one of their slang names is "Rock Trout", so maybe...

IMO they're super tasty. I think a lot of people throw them back because it's hard to get one that's a real "eater size".

Z