Northwest Fishing Reports

Hi All,

My kids get really bored draggin' lures around a lake/sound even if we are catching fish. They want to cast, so I'm thinking bass may be the ticket to get them more interested. Of course, nothing can crush a kid's interest like getting skunked! (They're teens now so I'm up against the Xbox). So I'm looking for someone to teach me how to fish for bass on Lake Sammamish or Lake Washington. Anyone know a guide?? I didn't see any under the Services link.

Thanks!
Gary

Dave Watkins. I'll see if I can find it.

Watkins Bass Fishing and Instructional Guide Service


http://www.watkinsbassfishing.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks Tom. I'll give him a call.

How many kids? 2, 3? One boat may not be enough for 4 people, as 3 can be a crowd sometimes, as you have to consider the people's safety while casting that close together. Something to discuss with Dave. I plan on being on Sammamish in a week or so, but it'll be during the week. But I need to wash and then wax the boat first at the first chance of a warm day, this Thursday, maybe Wed for the wash. This boat hasn't been waxed yet so it's not going back on the water until I wax it, been waiting until after I got the registration numbers on it, which I did last week when it was finaly warm enough to do that.

2 kids, but this is primarily to teach me so if he can't take us all that's not a problem. I work at Costco, so am just across the street from the lake! Will be pulling my boat out of storage soon--its not much of a bass boat but we'll make do.

Well, you can bass fish out of most anything. And in case you don't have one, an electric motor at the bow is almost mandatory, but not totaly. Just makes it SO much easier to move the boat, and keep it on station when it's breezy or windy.

Maybe 2 boats would be best. He should have a friend that might be able to help. Then the 'extra' kid and the 'first' kid can change places/boats every now and then during the day. Flip a coin to see which 'kid' gets to fish from Dave's boat first. Then after an hour or 2 the 'kids' change boats, and do so a couple/ few times during the day. The 2 boats can also fish very close together so all can talk and share info.

Ha! That's what I say about salmon fishing. My Sea Ray 205 with a big wake tower does a great job in the sound. Don't know that it would be equally good nosing up to docks. I'll see if I spark the kids' interest before I install the bow mount!

Another thing to do, and discuss with Dave, is the kids' casting ability. Have they done it before? Bass fishing type casting, target casting. Do they need instruction? Do they need practice? Something to do long before going on the water. Both spinning and casting reels, or just concentrate on spinning if that is what they use all the time, casting reels can be learned later, it's always good to know how to use a casting reel when bass fishing, as there are a couple/few techniques that really work much better with a casting reel.

I use spinning reels regardless of technique, so yes it can be done, and with no trouble. Yes I use a casting reel now and then, as I want to, don't let anyone tell you that you HAVE to use casting equipment for bass fishing.