Has anyone had any luck in Sinclear Inlet or in Gorst Creek? If so what is good to use there and where do you launch your boat at?

Can we fish in Gorst creek? or just at the mouth, what about by that nude bar?

Gorst Creek is only open for trout and other game fish. Therefore it is not open for salmon. I think there are boat launches at Evergreen park and at Lions park. I'm thinking about renting a boat or contacting a fishing buddy and giving it a try. According to the Fishin Magician (Mr Outdoors.com)you can get them from the beach at the Bremerton marina or at the Gorst train tressel(Don't know if this is by the exotic dancing place). I'd like to find out if fishing is best in the morning, afternoon, or evening.

These fish should be showing in mass anytime. This Saturday is the Sinclair Inlet derby, hmmmm, will there be any fish caught?

Big herring is a can't go wrong bait. Fish it with or without a flasher/dodger. I also like to use big pearl white plugs.

You can launch a boat in downtown Port Orchard. But parking is limited.

Hey Chip or Seacat,
I'm droppin my Son off at a seminar in Poulsbo Monday and want to do a little fishin while He's there. Was gonna check out the Sinclair Inlet fishery. It looks like there are 3 or 4 launches that you can us to access it. My question is which one is the best to use??? I'll be fishin from around 9:30 til about 2:00 if either one of ya are interested in hookin up with me and going out.
Tight lines, Jeff

Salmonhead - Sorry to miss you yesterday! How'd you do? As far as boat launches, I believe in addition to the Port Orchard ramp, there is also a launch on the south side of the entrance to Dyes Inlet, under the Manette bridge, and also one at Brownsville. The Dyes Inlet and Port Orchard launches would likely be closest to the fishery. The Fort Ward ramp on Bainbridge is little used and very close as well!

Hi Salmonhead,

First I was thinking you should decide where you want to fish in the inlet, over by Brownsville and the tennis courts or further inside by the shipyard and the 140 hole. Make your ramp decision on that. But then I thought that it's only a few miles to run to any area which ever ramp you pick, so it probably doesn't matter that much. So maybe the closest one to Poulsbo is the best choice.

I'd love to hook up, but I must report to my assigned seat at my assigned desk at work on Monday.

Might be good fishing for you, the run should be coming on strong. Will be interested in hearing how you do.

Hey fellows,
Thanks for the feedback!!! I think that I'll use the Fort Ward ramp. That is the closest one to where I am taking my Son. Chip, I wasn't there yesterday (although I wish I was, something along the lines of what Seacat said desk, job, damn I hate it when that happens ) but will post a report on how I do!!! To bad we can't get together, I would like to meet you both. I have already met, fished and become friends with a couple of guys from the board (RT & Osprey) and am looking forward to the Nisqually board meeting this Thursday with Elmtree, Dcrzfitr, Big Jim, Scitzo, RT and whoever else shows up!!! I think I'll start at the tennis courts as they sound like they are the closest to the ramp and then move down by the shipyard. Are Brownsville and the tennis courts on the west side of the inlet??? I read on another board that the 140 hole is front of the hammerhead crane, is that true???
Thanks again and tight lines, Jeff

Salmonhead,

Same here, would like to hook up sometime.

>>I think I'll start at the tennis courts as they sound like they are the closest to the ramp and then move down by the shipyard. Are Brownsville and the tennis courts on the west side of the inlet???<<

Yes.

>>I read on another board that the 140 hole is front of the hammerhead crane, is that true???<<

Yes, that's about the location. It's a little more east, mid-channel. Not too hard to find. It's only 129 feet deep now, must have about 10 feet of nuclear sludge in it. Just kidding.

Good luck.

I have been fishing Sinclair Inlet every weekday morning before work and occassionaly after work since it opened. I have about 25-30 hours in. We have place four fish on the boat and lost three. I have only heard of a couple of twenty plus pounders taken. Most of the fish were caught near the navy barges moored in the middle. I have not seen a lot of fish caught. All but one fish have been on flasher and a green squid. I have a feeling my methods have been off a bit. I had a cut plug herring down for only ten minutes on Saturday morning and nailed an undersize. I think herring or green squid is a good choice.

Hi WDR,

Thanks for the post. It's good to hear from someone actually catching fish in the inlet!

If you don't mind, I have a couple of questions for you.

Were you fishing the bottom or down a certain depth from the top?

How long are your hoochie leaders and how fast are you trolling? Do you think that slower is better?

SEACAT69

All of our fish had been top water fish above twnety five feet and in the mornig. As I understand, fish hign in the morning. The deepest fish was forty-four feet. I have a 25ft Formula mid cabin with twin 190 I/O's. I troll pretty fast so I assume my depth is five feet to seven feet less than what the meter says. I had caught a fish with the meter reading 17 and it was a shorty but fat chinook. The water in the bay is on average of 50 to 60 feet with the exception of the 140 hole in the middle. All fish had been caught near the barges with a bottom depth of 45 to 60 depending on tide. Our gear had origianally been set for coho with short leaders thinking we would pick up the cohos for the first week or so. The leaders should be much longer at least 60" That is what we will be running now since the chinook are coming in greater numbers. My comment earlier is that I was geared wrong - more towards coho. Fish a plug that rolls slow and troll slow and use a big spoon too if you have one. I have been doing pretty good, but I culd have done better if I used longer leadsers initially with herring. Make sure you net on the side of your boat and not behind, the water coming off your prop give the fish a feeling of running a river and will dive forward under your boat and net from behind. I have heard that the net will apeat to be a large predater to the fish and he will bail - I thought that was garbage, but like I said we lost a few and a couple were at the netting phase and the others the fish ran forward to the back of the boat and I couldn't reel fast enough. Please remember that this is how I have been fishing and my methods are not always the most successful. Listen to what others have to offer as well. I do alright, but they may be somethng better out there.

Hey WDR,

Thanks for the excellent reply. So fish up shallower early, fish a cut plug slow and avoid the prop during netting eh? OK, I think I can manage that.

Are you going to fish the derby? I will be out on Saturday. I'll look for you, sounds like you have apretty nice boat, easy to find with twin 190's. Can't fish Sunday, gotta go see some fast boats on the lake.

Thanks again.

Seacat69
I will be there for the derby for sure. Someone has to win. I will have a boat full. My boat is white with with a grey bimini top. It says "FORMULA" on the side near the back. I have a blue box on the deck for my anchor line. I rode the ferry this morning and there were 8 boats on the Port Orchard side. No none was near the tennis court hole which really surprised me. No boats coming back from Seattle except for one.

Hi WDR,

I'm with you on the "someone has to win" idea. And lucky for me, that's what my wife's been telling me too. It'll be me and her on my boat. I'll be sure to say "hey" if I see ya' out there.

Have you decided which areas you'll concentrate your efforts on both early and later in the morning?

Seacat69

After yesterday's outing I am not sure where I am going to start or what I am going to use. I tried everything I had...long leader, short leader, herring, squid, spoon you name and had not one hit, nor did I see anything else picked. Its very discouraging this close to the derby. There are fish all over the screen and at every depth. In one area I had counted 20+ fish at exacatly 17 feet. I had both riggs at that depth and a hair above and had nothing hit. I hope that yesterday was just on off day, and tonight will be better. I think I will try in the mornig again. My schedule is taking me to Seattle daily on the 7:45 for awile so my morning fishing has been pretty limited. If I do any better befor Saturday I will post it for sure. I figure what goes around comes around.

WDR,

You know, last Saturday when I was out in the inlet, I was marking several fish at 15-20 feet with the same results. NO BITERS! I understand the discouragement of seeing them but not getting bit!

I was using flasher/hoochies and plugs. I'm thinking that maybe I was trolling a little too fast, basically flasher speeds. So on Saturday I'm switching to a slower troll with dodgers/herring. Maybe I can agitate them into a strike if I dangle it front of their face long enough.

What do you think about that idea?

WDR- In regards to setups for kings, I believe strongly that herring is always better than plugs or hoochies, if your willing to put up with the hassels of baiting up and dealing with the dogs. This year, my best success has been with xtra large blue pack cut plug herring, 60" plus leaders, old style chrome dodgers, trolled dead slow. Thread the back hook just forward of the tail with the shank buried and the with curve of hook coming out at right angles to the side of the bait, this gets most of the short biters but reduces the number of shakers commonly caught with the back hook trailing free.

I have tried hot spots flashers in glow green with a shorter leader/herring combo and have also had good luck on this. In the shallower water of the Inlet where the fish may be spookier and are starting to develop lockjaw, leaving the dodgers off and pulling plain herring on the riggers with xtra (~50')line off the clip might be the ticket.
With the north wind blowing up today, I'll probably try the Inlet tonight and will post a report tomorrow.

THEY'RE HERE...THEY'RE HERE!!!!! Last night was great, we lost one and brought an 18 pounder in the boat. This morning was even better. We hit the water at daylight and my buddy lost 2 hogs by 6am...that was okay because he finally put one in the boat at 6:30 at about 14 pounds. I heard on the the radio one boat caught 3 weighing 15 to 17 pounds last night. I think the derby is going to be great and I have nailed down the right combo on the gear...herring! herring! herring! See you on the water...

Good job WDR! I'm glad to hear that news.

I was talking with a friend last night and he told me that Mr. Outdoors.com picked up a couple of 14 pounders on Wednesday night.

Is there a particular area that is working better than others for you, or is it just the switch to herring?

WDR - Nice report, guess I'll have to head that way soon. It was so calm last night I just could not get past Yeomalt Point. Took 3 kings, including a double!!! on identical hens about 20 pounds. Too bad we had to put em' all back! Judging by the number of fish at Yeomalt this past week, the Elliot Bay opener should be real good also.

Where were you fishing in Sinclair Inlet, on the Port Orchard side or over by the Tennis Courts. Also, were you using plain herring or dodger/herring combos.

Thanks in advance for the info. Chip Goodhue

Well, I thought that I would tell you guys this. The other day I was fishing area 10 and I C&R a sinclair inlet bound king and I limited on silver and PinkCorky( remember her) she got her first salmon ever she did a good job. Tight lines..

Chip

We fished the Port Orchard side using a flasher herring combo. There were boats all over the place from the shipyard all the way past the tennis courts to the passage by point white. I think you could fish anywhere at this point and do well. It sounds like you have done quite well yourself. When you say double do you mean two fish and two poles or two fish on one pole. The reason I ask is I have a video of my grandfather fishing with me out of Seward where he caught two small silvers on one squid w/ double hooks. I thought he was the only one that would have ever done that. Finally, you are right about the Elliot bay opener, sounds like it could be a place to fish after the derby checkout times.

Hey guys,
I'm gonna be fishing Sinclair Inlet on Monday, leave a few fish there for me hehehe. Good luck to you guys in the derby this weekend!!!
Tight lines, Jeff

Seacat,

See my previous entry for the info you needed. I think anywhere in the bay is as good as the next. Take note to your fish finder too - you do have to look for them there. The pattern has been no fish on the screen, then no fish on the lines. The schools have been moving around. This mornings 14 pounder we thought was someone elses rigging. We hooked up just as we had passed another boat very close to ours. It was kind of funny at first but got very serious very quickly as the line was spooling out faster than the boats were passing. After losing the first two, my buddy was not going to let this one go.

WDR - Two fish, one on each rod. Two kings on the same rod would be quite a feat! My best to date has been two flounders on the same jig.

BTW, how crowded do you think it will be over in the Inlet tomorrow? I have not entered the derby but would like to get in on some catch and keep fishing. I know Elliot Bay will be a zoo and am going to avoid that!

Chip, so far on the worst day I have counted almost 30 boats. I honestly don't know what the field will be like on derby day. At minimum I would say double that count. I have seen the same boats daily which run 10 to 15 count. I don't think a lot of people really think there are fish here.

WDR,

OK, thanks for that finder tip as well as the other info you've been sharing. I'll be sure to give you all the credit when I win the derby.

Salmonhead, the limit's only two so there'll for sure be one or two left for you on Monday. Sure wish I could go out with ya though.

see ya all on the water...

GOOD LUCK SEACAT69!!!! See you guys tonarrow.

WDR,

Looked for you today, but didn't see 'ya. Luck was not with me today. 1 shaker, 2 dogs and a couple of good strikes but no hookups. ARGGGGGHHH!

I actually did not see any fish caught, although I heard of a couple here and there early in the morning.

I talked for a minute with the on-the-water DFW guy at about 10:30. He had surveyed 50 boats(?? anglers)with 8 fish between 8 and 12 pounds. Kind of slow...

I wonder if the fog/cloud cover turned 'em off or something else. I didn't mark that many today, fished all over from the barges to the tennis courts and back. Mid channel, up close to the shore, slow, fast, herring, herring, herring! Nothing...

Maybe tomorrow, I'll be look'n for 'ya again. I plan on staying near the barges and in front of the crane. Hope you had better luck than me.

Any of you guys fish today??? If so how'd ya do??? I am gonna check it out tomorrow for a few hours.
Tight lines, Jeff

Salmonhead,

WDR is the Sinclair Slayer! His boat topped the leader board on Saturday with a 23 pounder. Congrats WDR!!! He also told me on Sunday with a little over an hour to go in the derby that the big fish was up to 23-15.

I didn't fair as well, only managed to hook a Jack after several hours of trolling herring all over the inlet. Most people I talked with thought fishing was slow. Let us know how you do Salmonhead. Should be getting better every day now.

WDR, it was nice to chat with you brief as it was. My wife was drooling over your boat! You've got a nice setup there. So give us the scoop, where did you guys finish on the leader board?

Seacat/Salmonhead

We did not do to bad. Does anyone want to trade spouses???? She has been running non stop that she beat me in the derby. Did you guys see the paper??? We almost did it, we fell short by only 6 ounces. I was fortunate enough to have a great group of friends which turned out to be a great crew when it came to landing my wifes fish. We did lose some gear in the caos but we were able to get it back with the prize money. We almost didn't get my wifes fish in the boat. The fish nearly spooled the reel before we had all the gear out of the water..I could not go in reverse until it was all up. We chased that fish for about 100 yards. In the last four days of fishing the bay, we have brought in nearly 120 pounds of fish. This fishery is great. The poggie guy said the fishing will peak in three weeks and to expect some thirty plus pounders. It was good to see you on the water. Im out for a week, my boat needs some tlc. I am gearing up for four days at Riffe Lake. I am bringing the downriggers too. There are some lunkers at the bottom. If you fish this week, use herring w' 48 leader. Thats the winning lotto ticket...herring.

WDR,

Who decided that she got to reel in the big one? Hope you earned some points for that!!!

Trading spouses with me won't do you any good, cause my wife is giving me grief over the fact that she didn't get to reel in anything but horn sharks! Well, I let her reel in something though.

Would like to meet you and your wife sometime. Maybe the four of us can do the inlet and trade some sea stories.

Congrats again on the derby. You've really got 'em dialed in.

congrats and was that your picture in the paper(well it was the winning fish) It was BIG!!!! Well, congrats again.

Hi guys,
Fushed the inlet today and it was pretty sloooow!!! Didn't really get to spend much time (about 3 hours) but it was a great way to pass the day while my Son was in his seminar!!! No luck for me or anyone else who I talked to on the water, there were about 15 - 20 boats out. Started out by the tennis courts, marked a lot of bait right out in front of them and moved to the 140 hole the last hour. Marked some nice bait balls there also but no schools of salmon. On the way over from the launch at Ft. Ward this AM I saw a tribal net trawler headed out of the inlet. I'm wonderin' if they got a shot at it last night, if so it may have put a dent in the bite. I didn't bring any herring (I know silly me) and ran three hooches that work anywhere but not today. No complaints, my expectations weren't to high as this is the first time I have fished that water. You know what they say, a day on the water is better than just about anything (I did say just about hehehe) . Next trip it'll be back to Pt. D. Thanks for all of your input!!!
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff

Seacat69

As far as who was getting what fish and when, we made it very simple...we just took turns. It was the luck of the draw. I think it started on thursday when I caught the 18 pouder and then it snowballed from there. We had caught a steelhead on Saturday near the highway - very pretty fish and about 20 inches long. The poggy gut said there are quite a few steelhead in the area for gorts creek. Have to go to Seattle now for the day...later.

Salmonhead,

Tough luck eh? Well I can relate to that having spent about 14 hrs over the weekend chasing the big one out there. Keep me posted on your Pt. D adventures, maybe we can hook up there sometime. I know that the last two weeks in August can be really good down there.

WDR, luck of the draw? I'm thinking to myself that's called LADY LUCK! I always bring my wife when we fish derbys, hoping that if all else fails, Lady Luck will prevail. She was with you guys, that's for sure. I did read the article in the paper. That's a pretty good fish tale eh? Kind of reminds me of a day many years ago at Pt. D where I watched this guy lose his meatline, the mounting bracket and the 25 pounder attached to the end of it when it all came ripping off of his boat while they were trying to get a net under the fish. At least you got your fish, and some cash to replace the lost gear. Good for you.

Steelhead.... Nice... Well that is cool..

Yesterday, I was fishing 3 miles north of the sinclar inlet line for silvers and I hooked a fish and when I got it in it was a HATCHERY 5lbs king heading for sinclair. The point of this is the hook went through its eye and it was bleeding to death, I put it back and revived it and it swam away very weekly. The question is what do I do do I still release it? Or since it is a hatchery king keep it cuz it is going to die? Help please....

Chris

Chris,

I would release it even if it seems senseless to do so for a couple of reasons.

One, it may survive. I've caught several one-eyed salmon over the years and I believe that these fish are much more resiliant than some people want to give them credit for. Think about the punishment they take when they reach the spawning grounds. Somehow they manage to still spawn. I've also seen some pretty scarred up fish too, whether it was seals or nets, at one time they were gashed pretty good and they lived through that.

Second, it's a C&R area for chinook and I respect that because I want to continue to have the opportunity to do it. We don't want to give the fisheries management any more ammo than they already have to shut it down.

I'm GLAD that you released the fish. GOOD JOB!

Chris - Are the Sinclair Inlet kings marked?

I believe so because I have caught 2 kings this year so far with a missing adopose fin and they were caught a couple mile north of the line.

The salmon in Sinclair Inlet are not clipped. On the belly you will find a yellow spot that identifies the fishery. This information was given to my friend from one of the members of the Poggy Club at the derby. I did notice the yellow spots on some of the fish caught during the derby and until my friend told me what it was, I really did not think anything about it.

wow, that is cool. Then where would those fish be going? I caught them at agate pass. Any Ideas??

These fish are going to gorst creek. My opinion is that it was on its way there through agate pass when you picked it up.

Hey guys, I am having a couple of spoons sent up from Oregon. A friend of mine makes them for tillamook bay and does very well with them. I think they will do great farther up in the bay near the barge in front of kitsap marine. I don't think the fish will take bait that far in as easily as they do in the farther out. I will let you know how they do.

I spent 4 days at Riffe Lake. Over the four days our group caught nearly 60 kokanee. Most were very small and were released. The water is very warm right now without any snow melt coming in the bigger fish are deeper. The water level is dropping nearly six inches a night. There is still some dock floating at Mossyrock, but no for long.

On sunday we did really well. The water temp dropped at the surface and the wind was really howling and we slammed them.

That lake always seems to produce fish no matter what time of year. Last winter my wife and I fished and limited out and by the time we left we had nearly a 1/4' of snow on the boat.

I went to Seattle this morning and counted around 125 boats fishing in front of TODD Shipyard. It was amazing how close they were to each other. Not my idea of fun for one fish.

As soon as I get the mud off the boat from Riffe Lake, I will be back in the bay for some more.