SALTWATER FISHING

Most successful anglers follow the five rules of fishing even if they are unaware they are following them. These "Rules" are not to be confused with the "Laws" of fishing, which states, "If your line is not in the water, you are not fishing!" Nor are they to be confused with the "Law" of fishing rods which states, "Two or more rods placed in close proximity of each other WILL find a way to tangle!" Fishing for salmon in local saltwater requires an understanding of the five rules and how they relate to the various species of fish you will find in our local saltwater areas.

1. Fish where the fish are, not where they ain't: As with any type of fishing, you must know not only where in the water your targeted fish will be, but when they will show up in those waters. Many species will be in Puget Sound all through the year, but there are runs of fish which enter the Sound in route to the local rivers to spawn. If you know where these fish come into local waters and know where in the salt water they tend to congregate, the majority of your fishing trips will be successful.

For example, fishing for Humpies (Pink Salmon) during the month of June in front of Mukilteo will probably be an exercise in futility. Pink Salmon arrive in great numbers in mid August during odd numbered years (2007, 2009, 2011, etc.), so June is not the correct month and 2008 is not the correct year! There is a growing run of "even year" Humpies but they are semi-protected, in small numbers and are more difficult to catch.

Your targeted fish prefer to gather in particular waters both to feed and to prepare for their spawning run. Know where they are and you increase your odds of catching them.

Steelhead: Although not generally considered a "saltwater" fish, Steelhead can be targeted in saltwater from the beach along the west side of Whidbey Island and at Deception Pass, mostly during the months of December and January. They are also caught as incidental fish during the salmon season on conventional salmon gear, although not often. Learn to identify Steelhead (totally white mouth, spotted tail, detached anal fin) so if you do catch one, you can mark it properly on your punch card. They also will not count in your "salmon quota", so you can catch more fish. Steelhead will be found close to shore making their migration to the rivers generally in three to ten feet of water. Bush Point, Fort Casey State Park and off the beach at Deception Pass give you access to them during November, December and January. Watch the regulations closely and observe property laws.

Chinook: Chinook are the largest salmon in the world but not necessarily the most active. I think nature has let them know that weight gain is a function of calories in versus calories out, sometimes we all should realize, and often they will not put out a lot of effort to eat. Their major food source in the salt water is herring, which they will feed on actively if they do not have to work too hard to catch them. Subsequently, give Chinook a slow offering that looks like an easy meal and your success rate will increase. Cut a herring with a slow roll and troll slowly (about 1.5 mph) in the proper water and you will find the fish.

Chinook will also attack artificial plugs and will actively strike a spoon or squid behind a rotating flasher, as long as it does not go too fast. I like Lure Jensen Coyote spoons about 36-42 inches behind a Hot Spot flasher using a strong leader, over 40 pound test, to take up the shock of the fish strike. I like a Goldstar, green splatter back squid, the same length back with a strip of herring on the top hook to give it smell and added flash. When using cut plug herring, drop down to a 15 pound leader and troll that alone with no flasher, a stronger leader inhibits the action of the herring, which must have a slow "lazy" roll. Chinook are most active feeders early in the morning or at tide changes.

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