Washington Area 2 Bottom Fishing

[Joy]

I have not fished for bottom fish in Area 2. Does anyone have any experience with some holes for Ling Cod and Blacks. I would be happy to trade some time fishing on my boat for some "good numbers".
Thanks

[forrest]

All the charters from Westport head way north. You might as well head to Lapush or Neah Bay if you're serious about catching bottom fish. Some people fish around the jetties by Westport and Ocean Shores but the fish are really small. If you are used to catching nice rockfish or lings you'd be disappointed. There used to be some rock piles here and there, but they got leveled by the bottom draggers.
Forrest

[rogerbum]

Area 2 has very little structure from what I've seen. If you want to come up to Area 4, I can give you all kinds of good spots to catch rock cod and lings. I haven't done area 3 but I've done the S. end of area 4. One thing that I've found (it's pretty obvious though) is that the fish get more plentiful and larger the farther I get from a marina/boat launch. E.g. if I fish for lings near Tatoosh Island, I catch a lot that are 1" short. If I fish near Cape Alava, I catch many more keepers. Cape Alava is almost halfway between the marina at La Push and the Marina at Neah Bay.

In general, it's not too complicated to find good bottom fishing locations - especially since the rules limit us to areas <120' deep. Find structure and rocks that's as far away from easy access as possible. Note that most maps have contours at 30', 60' and 120' but not at depths in between. Hence "bumps" that rise from 110' to 75' may not show on maps but ones that rise from 110 - 50' will. The latter will get heavier fishing pressure than the former. So, find an area with lots of rises on the map, and then boat around in between them to find the ones that don't show on the map. Fish those. Hope this helps and let me know if you want to fish area 4 sometime.

[Joy]

Thanks all for the replies. I fish area 4 quite a bit and do well for Blacks and the normal by-catch. Not any large lins though. I see a lot coming back from Canada! I was just looking for a location a little closer to home and thought Westport might be worth a look! I do plan to do more Salmon there this year, but will continue to go to Neah Bay. As a matter of fact I have reservation starting 23 May for 2 weeks at the Cape.

[rogerbum]

Have you looked at Hobuck Beach Resort? They have cabins that are quite nice - WAYYYYY better than the Cape. A bit more expensive, but nicer and much roomier. I've stayed at the Cape and at the other motel there and hated both. Also, you might check out Rose's Bed and Breakfast - http://www.rosesbedandorganicbreakfast.com/Rates.html. Also a much better place to stay and the rates are decent.

[starcrafttom]

For more info on the westport area I would look on I fish wed site or pictorial pursuits web site. Another good link would be Salmon university web site and then go to their map page. hope this helps.

[Doryman]

[rogerbum]