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Area 6 East Juan De Fuca Strait Report
Washington

Details

05/04/2017
Drifting
Halibut
Herring
Mostly Sunny
Morning
05/05/2017
1
3843

Last year we made the halibut opener for what's it worth and came home with two fish 20lb and 30lb from Hein Bank. Not bad.

We launched yesterday from Port Townsend around 630am. There was no waiting by the way at the ramp. Given the amount of empty trailers in the parking lot many had launched at about sunrise it would seem. We motored out in the fog with the Garmin radar working away. Water was flat calm. We went to Eastern Bank first very little boats at 715 a.m. Tried that for 30 minutes and then made the decision to run out to Hein Bank with hopes that the fog would clear. It didn't however.

We could tell we were getting close by the many multiple radar targets. There must have been at least 100 boats all around the area. Started at about the middle of Hein Bank and drifted. Depths were between 100' to 180'. Three of us in total. We had classic large herring set ups with spreader bars. Also jigged with white colored 9 0z jigs. Caught the biggest Star flounder around and released it. We heard people talking but could not see them in all the fog first thing. Fog finally started to clear around 9 am I believe. We didn't hear anyone or see anyone doing any catching. Stayed until after 1130 tide change. Then motored to Dallas Bank at around 1pm and tried there as well. No luck.

We knew about the weather coming in and decided to call it early for the day - and boy were we glad that we did! Nothing worse than being on the water with an Aluminum boat in a thunder and lightning storm. We were back at the ramp around 2pm-no waiting again.

We heard a friend caught a nice halibut at Mutiny Bay but that was it. I hope there will be better days in the season.


Comments

Billm
5/5/2017 10:35:43 PM
Contacted the WDFW and asked about tribes long line fishing in the Straits. WDFW said the tribes were "mopping-up" from their March fishery, to catch remaining halibut to meet their quota. Reports are they caught an excessive amount recently, without any validation or oversight by WDFW.
SFCMcGan
5/6/2017 6:08:22 AM
Billm...It is true. That is what the locals there in Sequim told us also. It is a shame really.
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709