Ok know that I have your attention.

Can a guy target any WA salt water salmon areas in a 14' Aluminum boat? I have plenty of experience in big water, but simply don't know this area yet. I live in Monroe and can't wait to start catching salmon. Recently caught my first steelhead on the Wallace, it was 15lbs + and was a great way to pop the steelhead cherry.

So who out there has a poor mans boat, and where do you take it?

Used to fish a lot in a 14' cartopper in Puget Sound. Works well for the summer and fall salmon. On a reasonably calm day, you can take that boat across the sound. In the summer, my advice is to go early in the day (around dawn), there is less boat traffic, the wind usually picks up in the afternoon, and the fishing can be very good.

Well, there's not a lot of "big water" in Puget Sound, unless you consider 3-4' waves big water. Having said that, I bet it is pretty dicey in a 14' open boat with even 2' waves, no?

The location of the calmer areas obviously depends on the conditions -- tide, wind direction and speed, other boat traffic, etc. Shipwreck, the racetrack, and PNP are usually pretty calm, Possession is usually rougher than average, but any of these can suck if the wind has a chance to bunch up a lot of water.

I spent last summer running around in a 12' boat with a 9.9HP motor on it. My biggest mistake was taking 3 friends out one day. Comeing in, we hit a barge wake, and took a little water over the bow.

The rule I now have is 2 on the sound, and 3 only on little lakes.

I fished the Tulalip Bubble, Humpy Hollow, and Possession Point with it. And my biggest run has been Purdy around McNeil Island, Fox Island, and back. That day was overcast, but glassy.

I have a 14' aluminum and I go every where with it. I mainly fish MA 10 and 11. During the summer I will fish MA 8-2. In November I will fish MA 12 too.

The Pt. Defiance boat house rents out 14 footer on a 9.9 to accomodate 4 adults.
The Narrow used to rent out the same setup in aluminum.

I have a 14' with a 25 horse motor and it works great for the Sound. It has a deep hule so that helps. If the waves get to be 2-3+ I usually get off the water just to be safe but I have been in some pretty rough water. Also the boat works well at Sekiu as long as the waves don't get too big. The large rollers at Sekiu are fine since you just go up and down on them.

Hey man, don't be embarassed if all you got is a small one
but you better you know how to use it....


This is the boat we use... If you ask me
ALMOST the perfect size boat:



14' high sides 25 horse...

I have fished a lot in my 11' whaler. It can handle a lot and you just have to know the limitations. Most of the days during the summer it is plenty calm to be out and fish. Its really nice for me to fish out of because it is just a 1 man boat and it gives me some time to myself.
I mainly fish area 10 but have gone up to 9 and will tow it over to the hood canal. I have also run all the way from the N end of Bainbridge up to Possesion.

I used to fish a lot out of my 12 ft livingston.(Have my new boat now) They sure are stable and handle the rough water well. Mine is free if anyone knows how to work fiberglass. There is a two holes near the transom that need to be patched. Otherwise it's a great boat. I have a 25 horse SS OB for sale cheap.. runs great...The boat will be thrown in for free!!

Fish anywhere in the sound just pick your days.
The south sound although a ways away for you is great for fishing in small boats. I caught a lot of kings last year in a 12' valco with a 6 horse. I havent ever missed a day due to water condidtions off Pt. DEF.

I have a 14' lund and it works fine in the sound as long as you stay in if the wind is blowing. I even mounted a downrigger on mine. I've moved to a bigger boat, but if you pick your days you can go just about anywhere in the Sound. Be careful.

Goinfishin, If you still have the livingston I would love to have it, I tried your email but it came back to me, We have been looking for one of these for awhile now...
johnnydeep@deeperbluemail.com or check you private messages for my phone Number

Had a 14 ft with a 25hp on it for 10 years. Fished the sound and Seiku durring the summer and fall. Tried winter blackmouth and it was ok, just that the weather can change in an instant in the winter and it is not worth a few fish to play "victory at sea". Watch your weather, make sure you don't overload your boat, and be sure you have all the safty equipment a larger boat would have (a handheld vhf radio is a must in my opinion), and alway err on the side of caution!