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Ok, I know that it has been ages since I posted a report. September 28th, 2020 to be exact. Unfortunately, it’s not because I’m holding out on sharing fishing information. Basically, I haven’t been fishing, I’ve been out with the NWFR TV gang a couple times and but that’s it. I’m basically working 6 days a week (retirement pft!) and a free Sunday is a rare commodity around here.

Even if I had had the time my boat has been with various people getting a few long overdue mods wrapped up. That said with Red back in the driveway we figured a weekend on the water was in order. What started out as a early Saturday morning launch plan turned out to be a late Saturday afternoon splash.

The original plan was to fish Saturday, spend the night on the hook somewhere and then fish again on Sunday. Reality was we launched at Cornet Bay, spent the evening/night tied up to one of the state park floats, grilled up some dinner and fished Sunday morning.

We were targeting lingcod on some of the lesser known reefs in MA7. Under way I had the day mapped out based on the tides. It was very foggy so a 45 minute run turned into a 2 hour cruise through pea soup fog. On arrival at our first stop we only had an hour before a big runout would make it unfishable. 1 hour was better than nothing so we got to work.

Fishing 5” swim baits and 2 ounce candlefish size jigs slathered up with herring goo we were immediately on the fish. Until the tide pushed us off my spot we enjoyed wide open action on a mix of lings both over and just under the slot, cabezon, huge greenling and very healthy rockfish which were all released as required. All and all we probably hooked and released 60 fish.

There were 2 of us fishing and for the most part we had doubles the whole time we were fishing. We broke off or straightened the hook out on a few bruisers. Shoot, one fish blew up the drag and side plate on one of my 400s. By design we only kept 3 fish, 1 legal ling, a 27” cab and a kelp greenling. I am really looking forward to taking the grandkids to target the greenling, they will have a blast.

To wrap this up, we had a blast! It was an excellent day on the water and found a few places that will be year-round salt fisheries. As a reminder be squeaky clean on complying with the WDFW regulations. We were boarded by the WDFW police. They were polite and but very thorough. They even did a safety check.

nvan

5/20/2021 9:53:47 AM

sounds like an awesome day!! If you don't mind sharing, what island were you near? also sounds like the bottom fish population is coming back.

rseas

5/20/2021 4:19:07 PM

Normally I give as much information as possible but with lingcod holes I kind of struggle giving exact locations. Lingcod are very territorial and heavy pressure can wipe a hole out for years.

The location is not visible above the water but is in the general vicinity of Point Lawrence on Orcas Island and has to be fished on a slack tide.

Whether your fishing there or anywhere in MA 7. Glue you eyes to your fishfinder and look for rocks or high spots. There are a lot of lings still out there you just need to find fish away from the popular ling holes.

I agree that the 3 endangered rockfish populations are rebounding. It is unfortunate that we can't fish the healthy rockfish populations.

Iwaterdave

11/19/2022 8:33:52 PM

We like fishing the pea pods in that area.

flyfisherguy

5/20/2021 5:55:17 PM

I don't have a boat but I would love to take in this fishing! Is there a good charter service that you can recommend?

rseas

5/20/2021 6:42:55 PM

Highliner Charters, Jolly Mon Charters and R&R Charters. R&R Charters and Highliner run out of Skyline and Jolly Mon out of Cap Sante in Anacortes.

nvan

5/21/2021 8:04:26 AM

thanks RSEAS for the info. any little bit helps!

Mike Carey

5/23/2021 7:06:38 AM

Congrats on a fun trip. Dinner looks good!

Toni

6/3/2021 8:32:10 AM

Nice, nice, and amazing.

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