i'm hoping to start salmon fishing on the sound in a couple of weeks. i have never been out in salt water for salmon and have zero idea how and start, what to fish with, where to go, which part of the tide to fish blah blah blah, you get the idea. i live in seattle, have a 15ft boat and am willing to drive. i'm lost on this subject. anything would help thanks.

Area 10 will be open (inner bay) starting July 12th on fridays through sunday. Launch at Seacrest pier at Alki head over by the Todds ship yard and also try out in front of Salt's.
you can mooch or troll Herring. Good Luck

WWW.SALMONUNIVERSITY.COM

Hi Sushi,

I have had alot of luck in the past using the following techniques:

Fast-Trolling cut-plug herring in 20-40 ft of water using whatever means you have available to keep your presentation at that depth. Maintain a speed of 3-6 knots. I have landed both Blackmouth and Coho using this method... Mostly Coho. Others may disagree, but I have always preferred a faster troll because you cover more ground, the fish seems to hit the bait harder because it presents more of a challenge to them, and I can achieve the action on the bait that I desire. However, If you dont nail any of them at that speed try going 1-2 knots, just fast enough to keep a nice spiral on your bait. You dont want a spiral where the bait is going in a loop that is 2-3 foot wide in diameter, try to make the bait spin like a torpedo. Practice, on cutting the bait and rigging it ,makes perfect.

Also try dragging a hoochie behind a flasher using the same depths and speeds. I usually use a solid pearl or white color, or a white-green with success.

Mooching/Motor mooching also works well with cut-plug herring. Rig up with a 3-4 ounce weight and a 6ft. leader...and let your setup drop to bottom, then retrive so you clear the bottom by about 15-20 ft. Put your kicker in gear for 20-30 yards at a time to lift the bait, then stop for a minute or so to let it drop back down to depth, then repeat.

Good Luck and let us know how you fare!

Sky-Guy

Good one GutZ, 'nuff said!

Can't wait till Elliott Bay opens up!

Hate to sound like a broken record, but one spot should be explored. Sekiu.

King opener July 8th.

Silvers open July 1st.

Bottomfish.

Halibut.

Most days your 15 foot boat will be right at home, and if you do get chased out of the straight, there is still enough fishing inside the bay to fill your limit. Safety gear is a must in all boating, but make sure you have it when you head up there. GPS is great, and VHF is even better. Finally got a GPS plotting fishfinder, VHF gets installed tomorrow.

Mornings are best for fishing, and the wind usually kicks up in the afternoon. Leaves you time to explore the Forks area, or just sit back and be the egg whore, like me, at the cleaning station with your sign that says, "will clean fish for eggs"..

I'll be up there a bunch this summer, so if you bring your boat up there, I can give you a tour and show you the ropes.

Look at it this way, you could fish for 5 days in the Seattle area, and get a few fish for your troubles, spend a fair amount of gas money, and put in a lot of time, OR you can head up to Sekiu and boat 50 or more salmon in a day. I've done it, and a number of others here have, too.

Camping facilities are decent, and there are even a few motel rooms for you city campers.

See you up there.

Andy

Sushi,

Gutz is spot on! Go into salmonuniversity.com. and simply go through and read every link.

Having been mentored by the likes of Nick Pasquale, Clyde Majestic, and Bill Bakke (even Frank Haw gave me a tip or two on rigging live herring) John Keizer and Tom Nelson are now the "new kids" on the block and they know their stuff!

I suggest you get out with either one of these gentlemen on a charter and learn the area. The price you would pay for a trip w/them would probably be a better pay off than if you bought Microsoft during it's initial IPO.

The 15' you speak of can be an ideal craft for the Sound and Straits for fishing depending on how it's rigged. Just make sure you take some course work on boating safety and weather so your future fishing trips are enjoyable for you and your family.

5000D

Seiku, Neah Bay all good. Long drive though for a day trip.

If this seasons like last year for Silvers try Fort Worden or Fort Flagler State Parks near Port Townsend.

When the season opened last August I limited out everday I went (I released one of the two I caught all but one time.

I fished from the shore with 21/2" Buzz Bomb and my 8'6" Steelhead rod was a blast.

Largest I caught was 10# and though thats not huge it was bigger than the average 6# being caught.

But I watched one lady in a boat hook into a decent and easily going 40# king though the season for them was closed it was a delight to watch and she lost it when her ship mate hit the line while trying to net it( they had to release it anyhow ).

If your up this way give me a call and I can help you find the spots.

360-379-0712

Rob

Sushi

One thing I would recommend that will really improve your chances here in the sound is to use fresh bait. If fishing the Seattle area be sure to stop by Ballard Bait or Bud's Bait and tackle in Edmonds. Man those salmon just love that fresh
shait. I think that fishing the location Divers mentioned would be a convenient location with sheltered water holding big slabs, if you want to stay close to home. And remember to plug cut that herring. See ya on the water.

hey guys
mamny thanks to you all, that was some specific useful info that i can start with.

one question, area 10 i can look up and figure out, is that elliott bay? this may seem a funny question to those of you who have been around, but this is going to be my first big go of it, thanks

Sushi, the body of water in front of Seattle is Elliott Bay. Look at the map carefully to determine where you can fish and where you can't.

Heck, email me and I will let you in on some little secrets about the Elliott Bay fishery that only happens for six weekends this year.

Sushi you are right, Elliot Bay is in Area 10. Be sure to get a copy of the reg's when you get your license or stop into any tackle shop and they should have a copy. Have a great summer of fishing
and be very careful.