Fishinnut,

A word of caution, from your posting it appears that you were possibly in violation of several WDF&G bottom fishing regulations in regard to rockfish. Please check the WDF&G regulations. You will find that the rockfish limit at Seiku is one fish per day. It goes to 3 per day with a species restriction during one period of the year. Only one of those three may be other than Black Rockfish.

The daily possession limit on the coast, in the Neah Bay area is 10 rockfish per day, with two daily limits allowed for possession. There are also new restrictions on the taking of Yelloweye(commonly referred to as red snapper) that bottomfishermen should be aware of.

Rockfish are a very valuable resource and should be treated with respect. Fish taken deeper than 60 feet will usually die from injury to their air bladder due to decompression when brought from depths.

Black Rockfish are frequently found near the surface and can easily be caught and released, offering a great sport fishery on light tackle fishing leadhead jigs.

My personal preference is a six inch black curl tail worm fished on a one ounce leadhead within Puget Sound. White is an excellent color as well, particularly on the coast.

Within the Sound the primary shallow water rockfish is the Copper, which can be found around kelp beds and rocky bottoms in 15-30 feet of water, which also allows for catch and release fishing. Quillback rockfish start showing up at about 45 feet depth.

Please be aware of the regulations, and enjoy those rockfish, they are my favorite saltwater species.

Sincerely,

Doug Wilson