It's nearly halibut time!

All,

IMPORTANT NOTE:  If you plan to fish the Wa. halibut opening weekend (May 5, 6, 7) but have not yet purchased your 2011 license, I would advise you to purchase in person and not online beyond today, April 26th.  They ask that you allow 7 to 10 days to get your documents in the mail and you will NOT be allowed to legally catch halibuts without the catch record card that ONLY comes in the mail with your license purchase.

At this time, Fishnut1 and myself will be fishing that opening weekend on at least Sat., May7.  Quite likely, we're gonna be able to get to fish that Fri. too!  I'll know the details about that by tomorrow night.  We also have the same tenuous plan (Sat for sure and maybe probably Fri.) for the weekend of May 13-14.  Note: That second weekend looks to have the most kayak freindly, small exchange tides of the month.  Any nights that we are able to camp before launching the following day will be spent at the Sequim Bay Wa. state park.

So where exactly have we decided to fish?  I'm definitely sold on area #6 for at least that first weekend and also nearly for sure that second weekend.  I'll get our launch and fishing destination location information (firmly updated 24 hours before I leave town each weekend) into the hands of anyone who has indicated in this thread that they would like to be included.  Right at this very time I'm planning to fish that opening weekend on the north side of the Ediz Hook (just north from Port Angles) and also launching on the north side of the hook; but that's still open to discussion.

Fishin-T

I'm so stoked I can barely stand it.  :blob1:Just setup my tent to air out and leak check after being stored since last backpack trip in the Trinity Alps,1991. Hope it's still good.

I'm going to shoot for being out there 5/13-15. I think I can piggy-back this on another reason to be on the wetside of the state.

I'd be tempted to fish MA 6 on Friday (open for halibut), then MA4 on Saturday (open for halibut) and Sunday (open for lots of bottomfish).

I hope I can swing this!

Saving pennies and building WAF as fast as I can!

Unless the weather is absolute crap on Saturday the 7th, I'll be there.  I want to get a butt, then get after some Lingcod.

All (especially Pisco, Lee, Fungunnin, & Pixter),

Fishnut1 and myself are now planning to get over to the Sequim Bay state park on this Fri night, 5-6-11.  We'll launch on Sat. morning without regard to sunrise but probably before 9:00am., fish for halibuts till we limit or need to get back to shore, stay another night at the park, and then fish for lings and shrimp on Sun.

If anyone would like to get our launch info or any other kind of info so that we can meet up some time over the weekend, then give me a P.M. with your email and I'll make sure that we exchange enough info to meet up out there.

Fishnut1 and myself are also planning the same schedule for the following weekend, Fri 5-13-11, and so the same deal goes for that weekend as well.

Fishin-T

Did you decide what area to target Saturday? 

Forcast Saturday by NOAA; East wind 10-15 knots becoming west 15-25  wind waves 1-2' building to 2-4'.
Not the best but we are knarly dudes + we are hard up. Good thing I practiced self rescue yesterday.
Ediz Hook is the area.Check with fishih-t for particulars. Look forward to meeting all that come.
Rich

Forcast Saturday by NOAA; East wind 10-15 knots becoming west 15-25  wind waves 1-2' building to 2-4'.
Not the best but we are knarly dudes + we are hard up. Good thing I practiced self rescue yesterday.
Ediz Hook is the area.Check with fishih-t for particulars. Look forward to meeting all that come.
Rich

The latest plan if this forecast is correct would be to either fish Discovery Bay close to it's opening or wait until next week.  Those will be some VERY tough winds to work against.  D. Bay is probably my last choice of all the spots that I have looked at going to for halibuts, but it's the most protected from wind of all of them.  It's my least favorite because I am thinking that not very many halibuts come one mile inside the bay to the underwater hill top that I see on the charts, especially on their migration back OUT to sea which is where we are right now.  If that forecast doesn't improve any from that, I'll likely bag it and save my travelling money for the rest of the month.  If it's not to be for THIS weekend, then I'll likely go over there every Fri night for the rest of May and try to make up for my lost time.

ON THE OTHER HAND:  When I looked at the 10 day forecast for P.A. tonight, it predicted 5 mph winds all weekend.  Sure can't guarantee the eventual outcome, but you won't beat a forecast like that for kayaking.  So if THAT's the case (if the winds are indeed calm on the O.P. on Sat am), then we'll  most likely launch from the north side of the Ediz hook from the east side of the public restroom across from the boat ramp at the east end of the hook.  We'll either fish the west end of the hook, or maybe even venture out to the southern most of the "Three Humps".  Then on Sun. (if we don't get winded out for the weekend on Sat am) we'll likely fish for lings at 48-09.88' N. x 123-04.06' W., which is about 2 miles east and .5 mile south from the tip of the Dungeness Spit launching from the 3 Crabs parking lot in Dungeness.

Fishin-T

I'm hoping to join you Sat.  I wouldn't count on the NOAA wind forecast, I'm not sure what they mean by the Cetnral Strait but I live here, a stones throw from the strait and they are seldom accurate for the near shore.  The weather forecast is usually close but if the err it is usually on the side of more wind, that being said the wind concerns me a bit but there are some sheltered area's.  I would consider Launching at Diamond Point Launch, it's a tiny launch in a private community but it is public.  The Water is very Deep just between the Launch and Protection Island and the other side of Protection Island is some Prime Halibut water weather permitting.  There are reefs on the West side of the Island for Ling Cod.  Try Google Earth and you might be able to see the little launch.

Hey Ohbryant!

Yeah, I've been looking at that Diamond Pt area too, and I know that public launch that you are referring to.  I'm also liking that reef on the west end that you mention.  I was thinking that it might be a good spot if the tides and times were such that we could start on an outgoing and drift the 2 or so miles over to it, fish the low tide on the reef, and then ride the rising tide back to D. Point.  This Sat. looks like it could be such a day as the low tide is forecast for about 12 noon.

I didn't previously call that as "the" spot for Sat. since I didn't think most of the others would be sure to find it, but with the potential wind being an issue it is looking like it might be a pretty good option since we could decide as late as the actual launch time to change plans and just fish just inside Discovery Bay.

You were clever enough to P.M. me your phone #, so I'll call you later tonight and let you know what Fishnut and I are planning for tomorrow morning.

Fishin-T

Winds are currently forecast for 14 to 19 knots at that location tomorrow.

NOAA Marine Forecast

These conditions will probably prohibit me from joining you guys since I'll have SLF with me.  We may try Toliva Shoal off McNeil Island or end up in a lake somewhere.

SLF???

Special Lady Friend

Well, the wind is looking to be a potential problem tomorrow.  Pretty iffy call.  We'll see.

SLF and I woke up a bit late, looked at the weather, discussed how miserable it would be, and she decided she wanted to at least try a lake.  I put the racks on the car, started to put a kayak on it, then it started dumping buckets.  I looked at her and said "are you SURE?"  She finally realized I was serious about it being a not so fun trip at that point.

Yesterday I met up with Rav and 2FY at the secret spot.  Slightly over 2 hours of fishing and hooked 5 'endangered' copper rockfish (all released unharmed), and something that took the F off on a good run before snapping my 20lb leader like dental floss.  Felt like a ling.