new boat owner looking for wisdom

[crabbycakes]

Hi guys,

I inadvertently picked up a 22' fishing boat a week ago. It has a 150 HP outboard. It's currently moored on a lake but, I have a trailer. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on my first trip to saltwater? I'm not fussed on type of fish to catch (rockfish, cod, salmon, etc.) but, would love to have a good inaugural experience. I just bought a pair of downriggers as well.

So, my questions are:
1) Where's an easy place to launch and fish near Seattle? I live on the Eastside fyi
2) Any tips on rods? I'm ashamed to say that I have a pair of Ugly Stik spinning rods that I inherited from my dad. I'm thinking I need something bigger for saltwater?
3) And bait and other gear?

Sorry for the stupid questions. BUt, just looking to try an easy first saltwater trip.

[Larry3215]

You are in for some fun adventures

Unfortunately, it would take me hours to even begin to answer your questions. I will say a couple of things though.

First - get a copy of the fishing regs. Rock fish are illegal to fish for or keep and salmon season is still closed where you are until next month.

Second: I dont think it matters what pole or reel you use as long as they are strong enough for the fish you plan to catch - but get new line on them. I prefer the spektra braided lines, but they are harder to tie knots in. For salmon, I use spinning reals and an Ugly Stick thats rated for 20#-30# line. Never had a problem. That same pole/reel has caught me everything from bass and trout to salmon and ling cod and rock fish when they used to be legal. If the poles are 7' or longer they should be fine on the downriggers.

Downriggers - too much to talk about, but you will need weights in the 10# to 12# range, line releases, flashers or dodgers, leader material, and hoochies or spoons or plugs or herring for bait.

If you get down to the Tacoma area, stop in at Sportco in Fife. They have very helpful and knowledgeable staff.

More up your way is Johns Sporting Goods in Everet. he also has a ton of videos and news letters on his site that will get you started.

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

Then there is Salmon University.

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

Between those two sites, you will have enough homework to keep you busy reading until well after the salmon season opens

[Larry3215]

Oh - the main thing to know abut salt water operations is that you need to check your zincs on the outboard and flush the motor with fresh water after every outing and rinse your trailer and everything that got wet really really well.

Also, check the tides. Some launches are unusable at low tides. Also big tide swings mean strong currents in some locations which can complicate fishing and loading the boat.

Also be sure you and the boat are up to code as far as Coast Guard requirements, boater safety cards, life jackets, fire extinguishers, etc etc. The last two times I was out in the Seattle Area I saw them checking boats.

[crabbycakes]

Larry, you are awesome! I really appreciate the thoughtful response!

[geekgiant]

I'm curious how you "inadvertently" bought a fishing boat? That must be one hell of a beer story...

But, yes, check the regs. That will give you a good guideline of where to go. A11 is open now and people are catching fish down there. A lot of the other fisheries open on July 3.

Practice launching, practice retrieving, practice docking, practice knot tying in a swell...

[kodacachers]

Hi Crabbycakes,

Having just gone through all these questions in the last 2 years, here's my thoughts:

1. Launches
The very easiest place to launch and probably the most convenient from the eastside is Edmonds sling launch. You pull up and they put y our boat in the water! Downside is that its pricey.
Second place is Everett. Its a bit farther than Edmonds (depending on traffic) but has 12 lanes I think. Easy in and out. Downside is that you have to putter quite a ways to get out of the 7mph zone (that and there are a lot of experienced people to chuckle at you).
Third place is shilshole. Not a bad launch but nothing like Everett. And with traffic into Ballard its not usually quicker.
1. (Con't) Places to fish. As Larry suggested check out John's and Salmon University. John will give you personal instruction, he gives seminars, and has all kinds of maps and how to's on his website. I find John's a bit easier for the newbie than Salmon U. Get the regs, but salmon in areas 9 and 10 opens July 15 I'm pretty sure. Crab opens July 3--that's a nice way to get started! Coho will probably be your easiest fishing (no need to hug the bottom and there's lots of room for error) but that won't get hot until August probably.
2. Rods. Outdoor emporium (same as Sportco) has a downrigger rod for $19.95. For what you want this is just fine unless you want to make an investment in better gear now. For a reel you really need a level wind for downrigger fishing. I just upgraded to Shimano Tekota, but you don't need that much. My decades old Penn reels worked fine (and I'll part with them if you want).
3. Other gear--check out John's suggestions. While he's out to sell gear, he's a big fan of only having a few key items--red racer flasher, couple spoons, and white or green hoochies with strips of herring (they sell herring strips so you don't need to fillet them out). For scent I just use herring oil. You'll need a net (fish can't come in the boat until they are identified as keepers). If you bought your downriggers used be sure to change or at least check the cable. My second trip out I saw my brand new $25 ball and $12 snubber go to the bottom when the cable snapped. If you are changing cable, most folks here suggest braid instead of steel. A fishfinder or at least depthfinder is pretty much a must. Not necessarily to find fish markings but to know how deep you are at.

During the season I follow John's facebook page and the pages of some of the charters--Even during the span of a day you can get scoop on where and how deep the fish are.

Good luck and keep coming back to the site!!

Gary

[Dustin07]

If you are in Seattle, just launch at Shilshole. its pretty easy to get in and out of and I dont think the launch is tidally dependent. was never an issue for me.

if you want to come a little further south for area 11, Pt Defiance is a fantastic boat launch with lots of parking.


if you want to catch fish and you dont care what, just drop that hooks all the way to the bottom and you'll catch something, pretty much guaranteed. check out the regs on the bottomfish, sole/flounder, etc and specfically watch for rockfish as noted. a trout rod and reel will get you started, really. and you can catch the bottom fish on anything. i used to take some herring from the local tackle shop and fish salmon all day, then use the heads I had cut off for bait for the flat fish. easy and fun.

flush the motors and dont forget to flush the trailer, wheels, brakes, etc too!! get rid of the salt.

if you want to get serious on the salt, jump on salmonuniversity too, or grab John Martinis book "Saltwater Fishing Journal".

have fun

[BARCHASER10]

Right around Seattle to get you started, probably the most salmon fun you will have is for Silvers (Coho if you prefer) in Sept and Oct. They are the most numerous and easiest to catch. I limited my boat 14 out of 15 times last year, 83 Silvers in the boat. Plus you can keep both marked and unmarked fish. Since you are on the eastside as I am too, probably launching at Everett is best. Just head south 7-8 miles to the Shipwreck area and look for the fleet.

[BARCHASER10]

For Fall Silvers I posted this article in the Articles section last year. Works for me.

http://www.washingtonlakes.com/ReadArticle.aspx?id=532" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;