Previous Next

Hit Lake Washington yesterday to get one last trip in fresh water before I head to Area 11 and the saltwater fishery. Trolled around South end of lake in search of kokanee. Had great success with 4 nice kokes in the boat by 1130am, launched at 8am. Had a 5th koke on but released it because it was totally covered in parasites even all thru the mouth and gills. Used a wedding ring and a herring 4 inch herring bone UV dodger for the day. Also release a couple of rainbow trout. I got a bonus to my morning fish outing because the Blue Angels were practicing and buzzing at warp factor 6 and afterburner right over me, just south of Seward Park. The fish didn't seem to mind and I'm a retired airline pilot so I love jet noise.

After I was finished fishing for the day I decided to pull out my salmon gear to test it out for salmon fishing on the salt water next week. Ran the salmon gear down to 100 ft in 130ft of water and cranked the trolling speed up to 3.5mph. All the gear ran great so I cut the trolling motor off and started to retrieve my 11" Red Racer flasher and 4" spoon with a massive 6/0 hook on it.

Right as I started to reel in something attacked my gear with a vengeance. I thought I was hung up on the bottom for a moment until this beast started tugging back. My heart truly skipped a beat when I realized how big this thing was on the other end of my line. It made several runs away from me and I was never able to get any of my line back on the spool that it took with each run, with a 20 pound drag set at max. I had 40lb braided main line and a brand new 30lb leader on my lure. This thing snapped the leader with ease when it broke off. I know anyone within mile of me heard my scream of anguish echo across the water when the line broke. That was a very big fish whatever it was. From the head shakes I would guess it was a very nice and large King salmon.

Still plenty of eager trout and kokanee out there. Water temp was 75.9 degrees from the surface all the way down to 35ft. Fish frienddly temperature water was below 50ft. Be safe. -G

The Quadfather

8/4/2017 6:53:11 PM

The 80+ depth range is loaded with Sockeye.
Hard time to fish. Not judging you at all, gcban, I've been out there lately myself.

gcban

8/4/2017 10:40:00 PM

No worries Quadfather, I agree. I fished 50 to 60 ft range all day and never had a sockeye hookup, which was great. I have released many Socks over the years, you just can't avoid them sometimes when they are all intermingling at the same depth. I hate catching them because they chew up your gear and waste my time from catching what I am after. This beast was no sockeye. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it was probably at least a 25+ pound king. This is my salmon gear I use every year and I generally know by the feel roughly how big or little the fish is. This was way bigger than any sockeye. That's why I was surprised that something in that lake could take a huge 6/0 hook AND snap my 30lb leader off clean after making 4 good runs. Never expected something to actually take it. I have done this for years and never had something actually take that presentation ever. Was just making sure my 15lb downrigger ball, flasher, spoon and heavy duty release clip were all ready for salt season. Next year I will take the hook of the spoon when I test.

salmonbarry

8/4/2017 8:58:47 PM

So just curious where you launched from- I went down to Pt. Defiance and what a mess!

gcban

8/4/2017 10:57:34 PM

Salmonbarry, I launched from the Coulon boat ramp (have an annual pass) and I got there about 8am on Thursday. When I got out at around 2:30pm or so there were no more parking spaces at all for truck/trailer parking. It was a zoo. Normally I fish all day long when I go out but I knew it would get crazy as the day went on so after the second Blue Angel practice I got the heck out of there.

Pt. Defiance is not on my list to launch at this year because of the construction boondoggle hassle to find a spot to park your rig without a huge hike. I am going to try the Redondo launch for the salt this year. Will have to launch and retrieve when the tide is at least 3.0 or higher. I have a fairly heavy boat 22 ft Trophy weighs about 5000 lbs with gas and gear in it. Add a 1600 lb trailer and that's a lot of weight for that slippery ramp at low tides. Have 4WD on my truck but I launch and retrieve alone with a roller bunk trailer so I have to factor that in. I usually always go down to Pt Defiance to launch and fish but not until they get done with the construction this year. I sure do the miss the sling they had at the Des Moines Marina years ago.

TrackerPro16

8/4/2017 11:54:57 PM

I have caught at least one King by accident every year for the last 3 years in Lake Wa. The biggest was a monster that I got to the boat and only half fit in my big net! As soon as I got the head in the net it shook and snapped off my spoon and lure and left with them. Lucky it didn't take the net too!
I don't go any where near Lake Wa from the week before to a couple days after Seafair. The crazies REALLY come out during that time. I am itching to go as I just finished setting up my new/old Honda 7.5 trolling motor I picked up. It is my first 4 stroke too! Should be fun.
I have an annual for Coulon as well but may hit another Lake just to play with the new outboard.
Thanks for the good report!

gcban

8/5/2017 10:15:43 AM

TrackerPro16, it made my day to feel that hog on the other end of the line. I only lost a 4" Goldstar Herring Aide spoon. My rubber trout/kokanee net would not have even remotely been able to net that fish if I did get it up to the boat.

I had (was stolen off my boat at the storage yard 4 years ago) a 1985 model year 9.9 HP Honda kicker and I currently have a 1993 model year 8HP Honda kicker. My Honda kicker probably runs 6 to 9 hours non-stop every time out and starts on the first pull. It runs like a finely tuned sewing machine. I always run it at Wide open throttle for 5 mins before I shut it off after I'm done for the day to burn off any carbon build up from running slow all day long. Mine also has a charging kit on it that gives a trickle charge to my deep cycle battery and by the end of the day my battery is still fully charged. I will never have anything but a Honda kicker. I change the oil with full synthetic oil and I change the gear lube twice a year. They last forever if you take care of them. Enjoy it!

Leave a Comment:

Login

Flag

×

Why is this comment inappropriate?

Close Submit

Delete this comment? Provide reason.

No Yes

Edit

×

Cancel Save