fishing Neah Bay

chrisdonna · Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 11:53 pm Post subject: fishing Neah Bay

I am going to Neah Bay for the June chinook season. I have a berth reserved at the marina in Neah Bay for June 15th through the 18th. Are there any other c-brats headed that way Question

Jazzmanic · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 12:50 pm Post subject:

Neah Bay in a 16? I'm still hesitant about taking our 22 outside. Good luck in your fishing and let us know how you do.

Salmon Fisher · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 12:56 pm Post subject:

I have fished out there in a 16 foot Sylvan, same as a Starcraft. Just watch the weather and you should be fine. I would love to go in my 22 cruiser, but will probably fish Westport the week of June 20 for my first trip down there this summer.

Good luck, let us know how you do!

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 3:40 pm Post subject:

Pat Anderson · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 3:46 pm Post subject:

Hey, Chris! Have not seen you post in a while! Patty did not cash the fish head bounty check from the Great State of Idaho in time, but dang if they didn't notice and issue a second check! We had a great time at Pend Oreille, hope to make it back one of these days.

Now, for Neah Bay fishing, the guy you want to talk to is Roger of SeaDNA. I imagine he will be chiming in here pretty soon.

Cutty Sark · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 5:21 pm Post subject:

When the weather is good you will see some smaller boats out in the strait just a couple miles out of neah bay, and with the right conditions doing just that in a 16 footer is fine, I would do it in a heartbeat. The fishing just outside in the straight can be pretty darn good in itself. I would be hesitant to venture too far around the corner however, as weather can change quick and it can get ugly. Also Sekiu is just down the road and many people fish there in small open boats, if it's too nasty at Neah Bay you can always duck further into the straight and try your luck there. But I'm guessing maybe Chris has fished Neah bay Before?

Good Luck!!

Sark

Jazzmanic · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 5:37 pm Post subject:

I was speaking more to my comfort level in a 16 out in open ocean than I was to the sea worthiness of 16's or the experience level of the skipper. I've been out in the open ocean on Rogerbum's 22 and it was great out there, I'm just saying I'm not sure I would be comfortable if the weather came up and I was caught outside in my little 16 angler, Barquinho. I have no doubt there are skippers out there with much more experience tham me who would do just fine in a smaller boat.

Just sayin' ...

Peter Wink

rogerbum · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 7:30 pm Post subject:

I'm probably not headed out that way for while but I may try to get out there for the early king season. In general, the weather is worse in June than in July and it gets very good in August. The 16' is fine, just watch the weather but there are many days in August when I wouldn't bat an eye at taking the 16' into the ocean. Often the ocean is much flatter than the straits as the straits tend to funnel the wind more. Usually on the return trip (later in the day when the wind is picked up a bit), the wind is coming from the west and you're headed east so the trip is easier than pounding out into the wind.

As for kings, the early king action can be quite good in the straits and quite good very close to Neah Bay. The favorite spot there is just on the NNE corner of Waddah Island in the early, early AM. Also, all along the break water between Waddah and the main land. However, there is often a weed line along the breakwater and that's not a problem on the corner of Waddah. So, get out EARLY and definitely don't drive past Waddah to go look for fish, they're usually right there.

chrisdonna · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 10:20 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your replies and the good and well-heeded advice on paying attention to the weather. I have not fished this area yet. I will be fishing with a friend that has a lot of experience in this area with a 17' open-bow boat. We are both pretty cautious guys. Last summer he caught a 35lb. king right at the island around 5AM. I'm sure we will be there every morning. Pat, anytime you want to come on over and catch some more macks don't hesitate! They are still worth 15 bucks a head.

Cutty Sark · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 11:13 am Post subject:

Sounds like fun, If we get a good weather window and the fishing is good, I might swing out that way for a couple days this summer. Good luck let us know how you do.

Sark

chrisdonna · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 12:18 am Post subject: Neah Bay

Well, just finished up and on the way home. Had a great time, loved the marina and the folks that run it. Fishing was OK numbers-wise, but a little disapointing regarding the sizes of the fish we caught. We tried as hard as we could to stretch a 23" ling out another inch, but it wouldn't budge, same with a 23" king. One 30" inch king had managed to keep his fins intact. Caught over a dozen salmon all told. Not a keeper in the bunch. Had a great time surfing the big rollers on the way back in to the marina. We never went very far out as the commercial guys were catching their fish in close. One feller went out to the Swiftsure banks on Thursday and stayed too long. his beard was whiter and longer when he got back. He was driving a 20' Trophy. He reported waves breaking over the boat.

CAVU · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 9:10 am Post subject:

Starting getting the boat ready for a three week fishing trip to Neah Bay. I will be there from 26 Jul thru 15 Aug. There have been very few fishing reports from the Brats about Neah Bay. Has anyone been out there recently?

I will have camp set up a the Cape Motel RV Park if any Brats are in the area stop by for a visit.

chrisdonna · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 10:51 am Post subject:

I have just returned from a second go-round at Neah Bay. Because of the weather and the fact that I was by myself I stayed pretty close to the bay entrance. Finally caught 3 salmon that I could take home. Five friends were fishing out of a 24' North River and they spent time out about 10 miles at a place called "Table Top". They found some Coho that were willing to bite and had 4 doubles while gleaning 10 keepers out of about 20 + fish caught. This was in one afternoon. Sounds like the fish are still out in the ocean. If you can get out there safely, that's were you should head. The only Kings that I heard of being caught were two that I landed fishing North of the green entrance bouy. Fishermen are doing well with the Black Bass.

CAVU · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 11:33 am Post subject:

Thanks Chris or Donna? for the info. If I can find WiFi at Neah Bay I hope to post fishing reports daily from camp CAVU.

digger

Hi Ken. Looks like you're bypassing Barkley and areas north this year. We're heading to Barkley again, but this time will be staying at Poett Nook since the places we've been staying have been sold and prices skyrocketed for "guided" fishing (which we don't do). Where abouts on Neah do you plan to look? Any good areas that you've accessed from Barkley? Good luck, and be sure and report. We'll give updates from BC. Prices for ferries and fuel have been starting to have an effect, though we've still been doing well fishwise. Ron