Westport Wa.

Dan McNally · Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 4:56 pm Post subject: Westport Wa.

I am going to be salmon fishing out of Westport for a week starting the 19th of July. Rented a slip at the marina and I will stay on the boat. I have done this a few times and always get fish but wish I had better information on where to fish. Last year we had to run 21 miles out to 300 feet to get in to the fish. The fishing was easy and the water was great but that is not always the case. Any other brats going to Westport that time of the year? Anyone have areas that they would be willing to share?
Thanks
Dan

chromer · Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 8:17 pm Post subject:

We used to "follow the fleet". Maybe there is no fleet these days

forrest · Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2024 4:37 pm Post subject:

The salmon used to be in closer but the sardine sienes decimated the anchovy/herring population out in front of Westport. There is no bait in close to attract the fish. There used to be lots of bait where fresh water met the saltwater. Simply put, there is no reason for the fish to be where there is no bait. The 300 foot line is the normal Columbia River migration highway.

PS: Notice how empty the stomachs of the fish you catch are? There isn't much bait out deep either all thanks to over fishing. The sienes were only supposed to only take 15% of the biomass but with nobody watching them...

starcrafttom · Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2024 11:09 pm Post subject:

Ron Garnder , head of PSA always fishes near he beach for he kings at westport. Like a half mile out or so. Not a lot of people do that but he does well at it.

Salmon Fisher · Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2024 12:14 am Post subject:

Think about joining SnoKing Puget Sound Anglers. Ron Garner, mentioned above, just did a presentation at their June meeting on fishing Westport for salmon. I was not in attendance.
He's at every meeting, so you could introduce yourself and join and gain a lot of knowledge. Several members there fish Westport regularly. Ron will fish where the fish are either close to the beach or or out to 250' to 300'. I have fished out there and followed the fleet and other sporties. Went out several times to 200' and put down gear to 120 to 140 and got bit. You can also ask around when you get into your slip, people will tell you pretty honestly, it's a big ocean and not a lot of secrets.
Back in the early 80s my dad and I would troll east and west along the sunken south jetty with a diver and cut plug herring and would do well. If that area is open, sometimes closed, it may be worth a try.
Please make a report when you get back so others can learn from your experience. Good Luck!