Well, I checked the very good day fishing box as we definitely hooked a lot of fish in the first hour. Just couldn't get a keeper in the boat.

We (my girl and i) got out late after running around all morning. Launched at Armeni and took off across Elliot bay looking to head close to Edmonds. Water was pretty rough so we stopped at west point and started trolling south with the tide across the opening of Elliot bay. Instantly get the first set up down and snap! Rusty spot in my supposedly new down rigger cable. There goes another ball and clip and 100' of cable. Lol I could have bought a whole new down rigger setup with all the gear I have already lost this year. 1st year back after an 8 year hyetus from fishing the salt! So I stack two lines on my other rigger and down to 120' we go as suggested by a couple customers we know. Ten minutes later, tug tug tug, hook set, Fish On!! As I reeled in between a few good line strips I started worrying about my girls netting skills and tried to grab the net myself. As I turn my head I miss the fish fly out of the water and look back just as he crashes down and leaves my gear up top. Cream colored flasher w/ the big green stripe and white 4" hoochiew/ 48" leader. Top pole got hit so about 90' on the cable running 2.8mph avg clipped 20' back.

The other pole had herring so we brought it up to re rig with identical gear and added some light blue anchovies jelly scent inside and sent it back down to 120-130'. In the next hour hit four more working half way across the bay out in deep water. Deeper than my finder can read which is 500'+ I think. One 12 incher in the boat and 3 more keeper size+ fish lost. One more due to a rookie mistake and two more just didn't hook up good right off that bat but all big rod shaking hits other than the fatty shaker we landed :)

After that we kept trolling south and finished near Alki another hour later with only one more nibble but no hook up so west point area was definitely better to about half way across Elliot bay. Troll with the tides and know your speed. Smart phones can get a gps app with a speedometer that works great!

I fished from 12-2 and had six hits with 4 of them being potential keeper size fish. 5 hits in the first hour from the green can trolling south on the incoming tide. So first light may be best, but battling big waves at noon around the green can at west point can produce limits as well!

So all in all, it's hot around west point. Keep your lines tight, hooks sharp and scent fresh and have your nets ready and training done before you drop your gear. Don't make rookie mistakes like me or your fish box will be a lot emptier than it should be. I have heard many talking about 60' everywhere, I have been doing that for the last two weeks and only hooked up with one fish. But i also didnt have a way to gauge speed and think i was going way too slow. The 120' yesterday was the ticketas as well as staying around 2.8 mph. Both poles set 30' apart, so 90' and 120', did the trick. I will be back out there ASAP in my old 18' bayliner with new cable and bent rods. See you out there.

Would love any and all tips and will gladly answer any questions the best I can.

Thanks

fischer

9/13/2012 8:21:00 PM

You should get rid of those old wire lines, and buy some power pro 150 lb. I have been using it for 5 years and had no problems.
Also no dings on my finger from the frays on the wires. It is stronger than the wire, and it is also cheaper!! God luck.
PS: and if you snap it you can always have an extra spool along and insdtall it on the spot.

Danaublatt

9/14/2012 11:53:00 AM

I already did and have definitely learned to have backup everything on the boat. The wire is definitely a pain in the butt. Thanks!

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