Anyone have any techniques or advice for a newbie salmon fisherman in area 13? I have a 19ft campion wa with scotty 1101's, 6hp fourstroke kicker, and inboard 4.3 for main power. I fished this area many years ago, seems things have changed! Any help is greatly appreciated. Bob.

How's Admiral Hunsicker these days?

Hey Dirk, How's Giordino been? And I would think you of all people wouldnt have any question's about catching fish?

Dirk,

Might be a little early for the big fish, but try giving:

1) Brisco Point Ledge
2) Hunter's Point (No DRs necessary)
3) Big and Little Fish Trap areas

Should be herring in these vicinities as the Squaxin Stock (Totten and Steamboat) is/or about to spawn. Thought I give you these areas since you're coming from the south.. Launch in Boston Harbor

March is always slow for us MA13 guys, but let us know how you do. I should be out doing a few "deep south" exploratory runs next week looking for some early fish in the above areas.

Hey Downriggin! I read your posts with great interest! I live near area 13 too. When is the best month to target BM? I am getting set up for that type of fishing.. If you ever need someone to go with, let me know...

EVERY MONTH! Actually... November/December and then mid-April through June.

Thanks for the info, Downriggin. Is March a little early for Bm in this area? I saw you mentioned April-June to another poster. As I mentioned, it's been many years since I fished this area for salmon, so..., could you be a little more specific about the areas you mentioned, I need to locate them from the chart of the area. Will be launching from Puget Marina, and dont mind traveling a little to find these areas. I found Briscoe and Hunter's points on the chart, but where are the big and little fishtrap areas? Also, what about Lyle and Gibson points and this general area? What setups should I try? Cut plug herring, hoochies, spoons, mooching with herring? Thanks for your help. Bob.

I was wondering when you were gonna chime in DR. He knows this area well.

The "Traps" are directly across Dana Passage from Brisco Pt- about a 3 minute run. They are two coves that run slightly inland. Back in the day, Natives Americans ran nets across the coves at high tides and waited for the ebb- effectively trapping fish in the very shallow waters. Hence the name- Big Fish Trap and Little Fish Trap. You can't miss them!

Gibson and Green Points haven't fished well at all this year. I've been fishing mainly further south and doing fair around Devils Head. Even getting a few around Allen Point and Horsehead Bay. Lyle has been slow and wouldn't expect great things from here until late April...

Should be plenty of BM in and around the areas I mentioned feeding on those staging herring. The bigger fish generally follow suit a little latter in the month. Use to be a heck of a Springer run through the area years back, but haven't heard a thing about them for a while. Must be hush hush these days.

If you have a contour chart, you'll definitely see why Brisco Pt is a hot area. There is a nice pocket that herring set in on either tide. Both tides fish well, but an ebb is preferred because the bait will be flushed out of shallow Peele Passage. I like the 85-110 water depths.

Hunter's Point is fairly shallow (max 70') and can be effectively fished without DRs. I run a 6-10 oz dropper off the standard flasher spoon/hootchy combo

The "Traps" are strictly DRs.. Again standard salmon setup. Main thing here is trolling with the tide. The current can push 3 kts on a good swing. Target water depth 90-120 feet right off the ledge.

I would definitely not recommend bait in these area- numerous Sand Dabs

Sonic Edge or Coyote spoons will work wonders, as well as, the B2 Mini Squid behind a flasher...

If, by chance, I don't make a Springer run down to the CR, I''ll be in the area next week giving 'er a go.

Thanks again, Downriggin, you obviously know the area well, I never fished west of Johnson pt even when I fished here. Then, mooching was the big thing. Now, you have to have downriggers and some knowledge of equipment to go with them. Are there any leader lengths I should be aware of from the flasher to the spoon? ie 36-40" sound about right? Also, I have never used a downrigger, do you clip the release on about 20ft or so from the flasher, or what is the preferred distance? I know, this stuff is basic, but I have no experience with downriggers, and it shows! If you can think of anything else, let me know. Bob.

Bob,

Believe or not, fishing with DRs has became pretty advanced... I could go on for days here... To simplify:

I place a 48" release about 3 feet above the ball. Then I run about 10-15 feet off the clip.

Leader lengths...

For spoons off a plastic flasher I run anywhere from 36-50 inches with 42 inches my favorite length. Metal flasher (12" Abe N' Al) I run 34-40 inches.

Hootchies.... Majority of time, I run a 3 inch mini squid or B2 on 50# flourocarbon at 36-38 inches with a plastic flasher and 30-34 inches with a metal flasher.

Favorite colors are: All glow, Green/Glo, Black/Glo

You'll see me out there...stop by and say hello

I will definately say hello if I see you this weekend, how will I recognize you? Flower in your lapel? LOL!! We will be in a 19ft Campion Explorer i/o, lookin clueless and in need of help as usual. Thanks for your instruction and I will give Brisco pt a try for sure, cya on the water. Bob.

Look for a black and tan boat with "Downriggin" along the side. I'll probably have my good luck charm with me too!

Dirk, You may also check out the South end of Herron Island. There is a nice piece of structure that will sometimes produce a fish if all else fails.

Thanks Slab, I might next time out. I'll look for you and your good luck charm, Downriggin, I'll have mine with me as well! Bob.

Bob,

Here's a digial chart of Herron Island I played around with. Something I didn't add on the chart; the area between Herring and Key Peninsula in a natural migration route for Chums and Silvers... Hope this helps!

I'll try and post one of Brisco and Hunter later.. Pretty graphics intense and involves some time on the keyboard.

OK... Here's Brisco and the "Traps."

Downriggin,

What a wealth of knowledge, and the will to share it with fellow fishers. You are to be commended. Three cheers for DR!!!

I asked for info on area 13 in Jan. and you loaded me up with lots of great info. I will be
hitting it in April. I will look for you.

GREAT JOB!!

I'll second that opinion. I appreciate all you have shared with me, DR, I hope I can put it to good use on Sat., hope to cya on the water. Boat is ready, Dad is ready, I'm ready, maybe the fish will be, too. This is the shakedown cruise for us, next time my son will be with us, so we better have a clue by then! LOL! Bob.