Puget Sound Spot Shrimpers always get eager for the May openers, and this year was a little weird. We got the green light in June, which was the latest Spot Shrimp opener in memory. It was good, and I personally didn’t expect another opportunity for 2020. I think I can say that everyone was pleasantly …
Fishing
Black Rockfish – A Favorite Catch Coastwide
One of the most widely caught bottomfish in the North Pacific is the Black Rockfish. They are a real crowd pleaser in rocky inshore areas. They are usually an easy catch, and their fillets are great for the table. Black Rockfish Basics Scientific Name: Sebastes MelanopsGeographic Range: Alaska to CaliforniaTypical Depth: 20′ to 200′Typical Weight: …
Seattle Tyee Salmon! 30 Pound Hatchery Chinook
Today was one for the record books for Spot Tail Salmon Guides! One of my favorite Seattle fishing charters had a banner day on Puget Sound out of Seattle. It isn’t often that we get a chance to see a Chinook of this caliper so close to the Emerald City on Puget Sound, but the …
Cabezon – Big Headed Crab Eater of the Reef
The Cabezon is somewhat of an under loved reef fish. They are typically just bycatch for people out targeting more thrilling bottom fish. But they have a unique body, bizarre color patterns, and pretty tasty fillets. Catching a Cabezon really builds on the variety of fish you can catch in rocky inshore areas. Cabezon Basics …
Jeff Head Salmon Fishing & Bainbridge Crabbing
Family fishing days are the best fishing days. My mom and dad joined me for a morning on Puget Sound for a little salmon fishing and crab pot soaking! We launched the boat at Seattle’s Eddie Vine Boat Launch near Shilshole. Salmon fishing has been pretty good. Crabbing for us has been hit and miss. …
Yelloweye Rockfish – The Granddaddy of the Deep
Yelloweye Rockfish definitely earn points for living around the deep reefs that also harbor some of the Pacific Ocean’s most voracious predators. Such as Halibut and Lingcod. They are always impressive to see in person. But are usually off limits to fishermen, aside from the Canadian Coast and Alaska. Yelloweye Rockfish Basics Scientific Name: Sebastes …
7 Deadly Techniques to Catch Chinook Salmon in Rivers
Chinook Salmon are the king of our rivers. They are the largest salmon we catch on the Pacific Coast. And once they travel out of the ocean feeding grounds back to the river to spawn, can offer one of the most exciting fishing experiences in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you have a boat or want …
7 Deadly Techniques to Catch Chinook Salmon in RiversRead More
Point Wilson Chinook Salmon Mooching Session
I have fished for salmon a bunch out of Port Townsend over the years. But it has always been the trolling drill at Mid Channel Bank. But yesterday morning we tried something new. We found a really cool pocket of old school moochers and joined them for a new experience. My 18′ boat was a …
Yellowtail Rockfish – Pelagic and Prolific in the Pacific
They are pelagic and on the move. Yellowtail Rockfish schools can be impressive, and can be found mid-water off the Pacific Coast. Fishermen need to first find them, then hover over the school if they want to catch a bunch. Great quality table fare and easy to catch once you locate them. Yellowtail Rockfish Basics …
Yellowtail Rockfish – Pelagic and Prolific in the PacificRead More
The Ultimate Puget Sound Salmon Mooching Guide
Mooching is Puget Sound’s Original Salmon Fishing Method Mooching has stood the test of time here in Puget Sound. It is one of the oldest salmon fishing techniques that still brings in impressive catches. I prefer mooching over trolling every time I fish Puget Sound. It is super fun and interactive. You get to hold …
Canary Rockfish – The Golden Beauty of the Pacific
The Canary Rockfish is one of the most photogenic bottomfish in the Pacific Ocean. Their vivid coloring mesmerizes me every time. For many years, Canary Rockfish were a species of concern. But recently, they have been on a huge rebound. In certain marine areas in Washington State, we can even keep them as part of …
Neah Bay Fishing Weekend – July 25-26
We had a great couple days of fishing this weekend! Neah Bay is one of those special places. And the rugged beauty of the North Coast of Washington is the perfect backdrop for reeling in Salmon, along with everything else we caught during this epic trip. Fishing Neah Bay from Sekiu Because of the Neah …
Mid Channel Bank Morning Fishing Trip
Here’s a quick Port Townsend fishing report for you. The tides were perfect for the long run to Mid Channel Bank today. My buddy Kent invited me out and I couldn’t say no! We ran out and fished through the first half of the outgoing tide and found a few really nice Chinook. We fished …
My All Time Favorite Lures for Catching Rockfish
The Pacific Ocean waters host many different species of Rockfish and they sure are fun to catch! One of my favorite summer pastimes is to go out fishing for Rockfish. When you drop down into a school of hungry Rockfish, you are in for a fun time. On top of the fun of catching, they …
Smoking and Canning Chinook Salmon
Throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, summer months are a time to harvest salmon and put them away for the lean times of winter. We recently made a trip to Sekiu, Washington and salmon fishing was good! I returned home with a couple really nice Chinook fillets and decided to put them up in jars …
Westport Fishing Charter Report – Salmon, Albacore and Lingcod
You need to be in Westport right now if you want in on the best fishing of the year! I got the full scoop from Captain Nick Clayton, who operates one of the charter vessels in the All Rivers & Saltwater Charters fleet. Eventually, all their boats will transition over to Albacore Tuna, but for …
Westport Fishing Charter Report – Salmon, Albacore and LingcodRead More
Sekiu Chinook Fishing Report
Sean, Mitch, Cooper and I logged four days on the water at Sekiu. What a week! Chinook Salmon fishing was really good last week for the opener, so it was an easy sell to drive up to Mason’s Resort. This is my second trip up there and it’s my new favorite place to set up …
Master the Art of Salmon Mooching
It is an early summer morning and you are cruising across the Sound, on your way to the fishing grounds. The moment before sunrise has lit up the thin horizon with a brilliant pink light at your stern. There is a crisp breeze on your face. These are the mornings we live for as moochers. …
Puget Sound Marine Area 10 Salmon Fishing – June 19, 2020
Summer salmon fishing season is finally upon us here in Seattle and the rest of Puget Sound! Good friends Ross and Bianca joined me this morning for another great day on Puget Sound. Fishing has been pretty good for Resident Coho Salmon, so we decided to start out trolling at Jeff Head. It was a …
Puget Sound Marine Area 10 Salmon Fishing – June 19, 2020Read More
Seattle Marine Area 10 Resident Coho Salmon Report – June 16, 2020
I am really pleased that my family has finally caught the fishing bug! Today I took out my parents and brother out salmon fishing in Puget Sound. Resident Coho fishing in Seattle’s Marine Area 10 has been pretty good lately, and it was a perfect day to take my folks out. It was their first …
Seattle Marine Area 10 Resident Coho Salmon Report – June 16, 2020Read More