Fished the MA 13 today to find these two. Both were caught on a firetiger plug. Seems like ever since the weather improved, the fish have moved out in deeper water. But they are still suspended near the surface.

Slabhunter, what part of area 13 were you fishing ?

Near the Sqauxin Island net pens.
I've had to sort through a few bad clips,but so far they have been hatchery fish.
Be sure and pinch your barbs. On Sunday I had just put a fish in the box. Fisheries enforcement was pulling alongside the boat. Asking to check my punchcard, license, hooks,and look in the fish box.

Slabhunter,

Congratulations on your success! My husband and I have been researching boat launches in the area where it sounds like you have been fishing. We are traveling from Tacoma and we are unfamiliar with the launches down south. We have a 20 ft. Bayliner (converted to the ultimate fishing machine . What boat launch would you recommend? If you don't already have a favorite, would you recommend either Boston Harbor boat ramp or Arcadia Point Public boat ramp? We know that fishing tips are worth their weight in gold and we are appreciative of any helpful hints that you can provide. Thanks!

Boston Harbor is the closest public launch but if there is a minus tide...there will be problems....I have been getting on these fish quite heavily as well. They are raised by the tribe in the pens till they're big enough and then released. They usuallly hang in Canadian waters and come back to mill around area 13. They have no river to return to.

Hey Slabhunter, that was me talking/trolling with you for awhile there! Great to see you got that second one in the boat, I had to leave a little early. Let me tell you boys, the boogeyman was hovering while he landed that fish, and they were on him like white on rice no sooner than he netted the thing. They were on everybody, so be sure you're legal out there! How long did it take to get that second one??

shefisher,

Boston Harbor ramp will probably be your best bet. And I've seen some prety nice fish from down that way as well.


Steve,

It took another hour or so to get the second fish for the box.

The Arcadia ramp is not very good for deep boats on a real low tide. There's no dock and it's a long way backing down a boat from the parking area. Don't drive straight down to the water...you won't get turned around! My buddy is able to launch his 22' Trophy as long it it's a foot or two +. Watch for the big rock on the south side of the ramp.

Good one steve.......

Okay, followup report, only got one in the boat today.
Another fattie, 15lb. 33"L x 20.5"G
Edit: to resize pic.

Thanks to all for the replies! As a matter of fact, someone recommended Joemma (sp?) State Park launch - any experiences with this launch? Nice fish, SlabHunter!

Another nice fish! I went out after work last night, no hits, no fish landed by me or anyone else for that matter. Seems the morning bite is the only one producing fish right now.

Steve,

I hooked into that fish just as the flood tide flow started to increase yesterday afternoon, 26ft of water.
Heard the morning bite was around 8 o'clock.

Thanks again for the boat launch information; we fished Area 13 and did well. Does anyone know if the net pen area is scheduled for any netting - I heard they use purse seins out there.

I believe the big boat is a fish buyer. Most of the tribal fishers out there use beach seins. So these fish should be available in the deeper water until we get the next rains.

enjoy the squaxin fish while you can....rumor has it release numbers may go way down and that they may not be able to use skookumchuck to raise them anymore or use stock from wallace river...so numbers and size of the fish may go way down if they make them use only minter stock....minter stock don't get as big or seem to survive as well....