Northwest Fishing Reports

We're going camping this weekend at Grayland Beach State Park, and I'd like to toss a line off the jetty and see what I come up with. I'm a salt water newbie and could use some advice on bait, tackle, and some places to try. Not looking to steal any secret spots or anything like that. I just want to kill some time by doing some casual fishing. As far as a rod/reel combo are concerned, the biggest I have is my MH Salmon pole with 30lb braided line on it. We're headed right by Cabela's on our way over there, so I can easily pick up some bait and additional tackle.

Thanks.

Check out some of the past threads regarding Ocean Shores and jetty fishing. Just type "jetty" into the seach field and click the search button. You shold get a bunch of posts that will have all kinds of great info. Here is a link to one that will get you going. http://www.washingtonlakes.com/forum/ya ... shing.aspx

A salmon rod with 30lb braid will be fine. Just use a lighter leader so that you can break off in the event you get snagged up on the rocks. Typical rig is a 3 or 4 ounce pyramid sinker and a couple of #1 snelled bait holder hooks attached above the sinker. The pre-snelled hooks you buy are tied using pretty stiff leader and they will kind of stand out on their own when attached using a dropper loop. Also, don't overlook the possibility of catching salmon from the jetty. Pitching whole herring is the preferred method so you may want to tie up some herring rigs or buy a few pre-tied rigs and a herring helmet. If you want to go the easy route pick up a Brad's Super Bait Cut Plug lure. It looks and acts like a cut plug herring and you can stuff it full of scent/tuna/herring strips to seal the deal. There are instuctions many sites showing how to rig and use them, but I think it's self explanatory.

Almost forgot, what kind of reel do you have on that rod? If you have never tried casting with it you'll want to start practicing now! I'm guessing that you have some type of bait caster/levelwind style reel, which will work just fine as long as you don't try casting too light of a weight.

As far as the reel is concerned, I'm not well equipped there either. I've got a Pfluger President 3000 spin reel. It's not ideal, but I can cast the Hell out of it. Yea, I know I'll look like a moron out there, but it won't be the first time.

If you can get a spinning rod/reel together that would be even better. You can buy some pretty el cheapo combo units for that kind of thing. Do the pyramid sinker like G-man said, with the two bait hooks above it, drop shot style. I like to use razor clam meat. Find a beach and cast out for surf perch.

bobbyg123 wrote:As far as the reel is concerned, I'm not well equipped there either. I've got a Pfluger President 3000 spin reel. It's not ideal, but I can cast the Hell out of it. Yea, I know I'll look like a moron out there, but it won't be the first time.

Also pick up some 1 and 2 oz saltwater lead jig heads - unpainted is FINE, and a bag of curly tails to attach to them. Cast out, allow to sink and retireve for rockfish/lings.

Ijust missed your post regarding the Pluegher president. That is my same freshwater reel. No big thing at all. Just string up some stronger line, and it will be fine. This is very basic meat fishing.

Another meathod that I have used is to the bobbers that can be filled with water. Bobber stop, bobber, swivle, leader 2 hooks. Bait with sand shrimp(magic thread really helps) or or clam necks. Also be prepared to wade out in the water. The sweet spot to cast is the flat calm water between the 2nd and 3rd set of waves. Good luck and have fun

And as always be sure to check the reports... I'm not sure if the jetty should technically be under area 2 "Westport" or 2-2 "Gray's Harbor". I know I've posted under both for the Westhaven State Park Jetty. 2-2 reports are a lot easier to navigate though because the last 6 reports are for the jetty. http://www.washingtonlakes.com/ReportList.aspx?id=4&t=2. Also, I remember under Area 2 someone posted a really informative report earlier this year.

Fish-or-man? wrote:And as always be sure to check the reports... I'm not sure if the jetty should technically be under area 2 "Westport" or 2-2 "Gray's Harbor". I know I've posted under both for the Westhaven State Park Jetty. 2-2 reports are a lot easier to navigate though because the last 6 reports are for the jetty. http://www.washingtonlakes.com/ReportList.aspx?id=4&t=2. Also, I remember under Area 2 someone posted a really informative report earlier this year.

I have been reading the reports, and right now they're saying no salmon fishing off the jetty on the weekends. What's up with that? I know their goal is to protect the salmon runs, but gimme' a break. Is limiting shore fishing Fri-Sun really going to make that much of an impact? Very silly if you ask me.

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bobbyg123 wrote:

Fish-or-man? wrote:And as always be sure to check the reports... I'm not sure if the jetty should technically be under area 2 "Westport" or 2-2 "Gray's Harbor". I know I've posted under both for the Westhaven State Park Jetty. 2-2 reports are a lot easier to navigate though because the last 6 reports are for the jetty. http://www.washingtonlakes.com/ReportList.aspx?id=4&t=2. Also, I remember under Area 2 someone posted a really informative report earlier this year.

I have been reading the reports, and right now they're saying no salmon fishing off the jetty on the weekends. What's up with that? I know their goal is to protect the salmon runs, but gimme' a break. Is limiting shore fishing Fri-Sun really going to make that much of an impact? Very silly if you ask me.

north side of the Westport jetty is area 2-2
south side of the Westport jetty is area 2

Not sure what you mean about the weekend closure of the Westport jetty. I don't see any announcements in the WDFW emergency rules.

The jetty at Ilwaco, however, has been announced for closure due to some construction.

As I read the regs, the outer portion of the jetty is marine area 2 and as such would be open 7 days a week as per the current emergency rule. Now the inner portion of the jetty is part of marine area 2-2 but is west of buoy 13 and as such is closed to all salmon fishing. I can't remember ever seeing a person get busted for salmon fishing area 2-2 from the jetty, but the State is in a finacial bind so I wouldn't count on it being safe to do so.

G-Man wrote:As I read the regs, the outer portion of the jetty is marine area 2 and as such would be open 7 days a week as per the current emergency rule. Now the inner portion of the jetty is part of marine area 2-2 but is west of buoy 13 and as such is closed to all fishing. I can't remember ever seeing a person get busted for fishing area 2-2 from the jetty, but the State is in a finacial bind so I wouldn't count on it being safe to do so.

Closed to just salmon fishing, until September 16 (I think). Open all year for bottomfish, except for lingcod and some others that have seasonal restrictions

I forgot to include the word salmon in my previous post. Area 2-2 is closed to all salmon fishing. I'll edit to prevent any confusion. Thanks for the catch S.E.G. Below are the regs, straight out of the book.

Species: Salmon

AREA 2-2 (west of the Buoy 13 line)
CLOSED

AREA 2-2 (east of the Buoy 13 line)
ALL SALMON required to be released may not be totally removed from the water, except anglers fishing from boats 30'
or longer as listed on either their state or Coast Guard registration are exempt.
Sept. 16-Nov. 30 Min. size 12". Daily limit 2. Release CHINOOK and CHUM.
Westport Boat Basin and Ocean Shores Boat Basin
Aug. 16-Jan. 31 Min. size 12". Daily limit 6. No more than 4 adults may be retained. Night closure and
anti-snagging rule. Only single-point barbless hooks may be used.