Sucia Lings 2012

I wonder if my girl will leave me if I flaked on our vacation to go camp here instead....hmm.....  The pics and research I have done on the island and stuff have me totally jonesing to get out there. 

Man! That looks like a lot of fun!! Count me in. What all do I need to pick up gear-wise?? I've never fished for lings before, but I've been looking forward to it for about a 8 months and have though Sucia looks like heaven.

Jereme

How far is that?  If I can work it into the budget and get the time off (both from home and work) I'd like to join in and maybe paddle out with you guys.  I figure it would be best to not do that trip alone.

2.5 to 3 miles isn't too bad as long as the wind isn't whipping.  That's about 2hrs of paddling at a comfortable pace.

Here's a link to a thread on the 09 trip to Sucia: http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,2526.0.html

-Spot-

 Other than the wind, you gotta watch the current on that paddle. That whole area is GREAT for bottomfishing because it's a washing machine over rocks. The water taxi idea is a good one unless you're sure you can go at slack. 

As for the fishing, it's like disneyland for anglers. Structure everywhere! Stick closer to sucia when the current is whippin, there are plenty of coves and cutouts to hide and fish in.

I've done well with lings and cabs out there, always on a pb tho. Bring lots of lead! Have fun!

The water taxi idea is a good one unless you're sure you can go at slack. 

Definitely worth the peace of mind.  I can assure everyone considering this that you will feel apprehensive about the weather, tide and your location when the time comes...and this is not guided.  You are on your own.  If you have no open water experience in the San Juans...if you have not navigated and utilized tide tables...take the water taxi.

We'll be doing several practice runs from Stielacoom to Eagle Island.  It has similar currents (2-3 mph) and is a 3 mile pedal each way.

What all do I need to pick up gear-wise?? Jereme

You'll need:

- A selection of jig heads between 2 and 6oz.  I prefer heavier cause you can really knock on the Lings door with them but the smaller heads are better for cast and retrieve rockfishing. 
- A selection of plastic jig bodies; Big Hammer, Curly Tail, Scampi Tail (white and black are standard but grab an assortment of colors just in case)
- It's not unusual to loose a dozen jigs in a day so bring a bunch.

Also, bring a lip gripper or a gardening glove.  Lings have bad axx teeth and nasty gill rakes.

-Spot-

The water taxi idea is a good one unless you're sure you can go at slack. 

Definitely worth the peace of mind.  I can assure everyone considering this that you will feel apprehensive about the weather, tide and your location when the time comes...and this is not guided.  You are on your own.  If you have no open water experience in the San Juans...if you have not navigated and utilized tide tables...take the water taxi.

If you are paddling DO NOT try this crossing unless you are a very strong paddler and have some open water experience! If you are pedaling be very aware of currents and winds. There is NO safe beach to pull out on and hitch a ride back to you car. A 2-3 mph current is not uncommon and can move you a LONG way before you realize how far off you are. If you get a strong current and a head or even side wind you are in for a miserable crossing at best and a possible rescue at worse.
DO NOT try this unless you are comfortable paddling/pedaling continuous for 3 hours b/c it could take that long if conditions are poor.

The kids have a baseball/softball team trip to the Mariner's stadium that weekend.  So I can't go with you guys.

Gentlemen, it would appear that we can target more than just Lings on that first weekend of May.

Halibut Seasons are now set:

Marine Areas 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10: From May 3-19, the fishery will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. From May 24-28, the fishery will be open each day (Thursday through Monday) for Memorial Day weekend. From May 31-June 2, the fishery will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. WDFW has also set Thursday, May 2 as the opening day of the 2013 season.

Gentlemen, it would appear that we can target more than just Lings on that first weekend of May.

Halibut Seasons are now set:

Marine Areas 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10: From May 3-19, the fishery will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. From May 24-28, the fishery will be open each day (Thursday through Monday) for Memorial Day weekend. From May 31-June 2, the fishery will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. WDFW has also set Thursday, May 2 as the opening day of the 2013 season.

I like it.  There's not much intel on Halibut near Sucia.  Alden Bank to the north shows up as one potential spot.  We'll have to ask around and consult the FishnDive on this one.

If you're curious about the specific currents in the area, you can take a look at this:  http://www.deepzoom.com/#/Views/Boat.xaml

Noon or noon-30 Friday is when I'd like to head across to the island.  Will have to figure in the wind, but hopefully there won't be too much of that.

Slick site Lee.  Thanks.  Glad you are still planning on it.  I just picked up the ingredients for my favorite bottom rig.  This nice weather has me itching to head up there.  I had a nibble from HBH on this one so hopefully he'll meet us out there too.

That's HBH's home territory! He knows it well. Nice guy too.

If you're curious about the specific currents in the area, you can take a look at this:  http://www.deepzoom.com/#/Views/Boat.xaml

Noon or noon-30 Friday is when I'd like to head across to the island.  Will have to figure in the wind, but hopefully there won't be too much of that.

Holy crap, that is THE COOLEST thing ever!  Kinda negates the need for the Washburne's current atlas.  And I love that the tide chart is on there as well.  Somebody needs to app-ify that for smartphones!

Have you figured out parking Lee? Access in that parking lot of a "beach" is tight.