December fishing in the Sound

B~C · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:35 pm Post subject: December fishing in the Sound

Yikes, two days back on the job and I'm thinking about Christmas break. I didn't get much fishing in this summer and was wondering about trying to make up for it in December. Is there, has anybody done much, what's the story on, salmon fishing in the Sound in December? enquiring minds want to know.
thanks

Cutty Sark · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:47 pm Post subject:

There is limited blackmouth( immature chinook) salmon during the winter. I believe area 8-2 is open in december and maybe the canal. Fishing is tough then but I still go almost every weekend. The key for winter blackmouth is to scratch the bottom in 90-180 feet of water. Put your gear right off the bottom. And really focus on the tide changes, an hour or two before and after. Hootchies and coho killers, are what I usually use. The size of the fish can be decent, the best we've done is about 13 lbs , but I have seen some bigger than that caught. ALthough alot of times they can be just a couple pounds. But it's fun and if you have heat it's even better. Plus it's usually not too crowded which is always a plus. If you decide to come out let me know, I'll probably be out there anyway.

Sark

B~C · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:58 pm Post subject:

Ya know, even if the fishing is poor I'm going to come up and give it a try if the weather is tollerable...I'll give you a yell, that bit about it being not to crowded sold me

rogerbum · Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 2:56 am Post subject:

BC - you can fish blackmouth in most areas of the sound most of the winter. Check the regs for there's a few places that close now and then. I usually fish area 10 for winter blackmouth. One of my favorite spots is down off of Restoration Point (SE corner of Bainbridge) and the bay to the NW of the point (W of Blakely rock). As Cutty says, fishing near the bottom in 100-120' of water is usually pretty good. Near the point though, I do well with 50-65' of cable out just following the 120' contour. The nice thing about that area is that you can also pick up your one a day rock fish AND you can run into Winslow for a soup, beer and a sandwich. It's not very crowded in winter and with luck we might get a late opening for crab. If you want to go out round X-mas time, give me a PM and we can swap boat trips.

B~C · Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 9:44 am Post subject:

dis is good, it sounds like a Sound trip would be a sound idea. I have never fished up there, we usually got our fill of salmon fishing in the summer down here. That deep water fishing will be a new experience.
Roger- trip trading would be a great way to maximize those precious fishing resources Smile

Cutty Sark · Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 12:42 pm Post subject:

I can't imagine how I forgot about area 10 being open then , I guess since I didn't fish there last winter season. And I really have only fished the Jeff head area the winter before that. I will have to try out there again this year. I spent most of last winter at race track. I guess area 8-1,8-2, 10,11,12,13 are all open in december. So there are lots of choices. I never fish 11 or 13 since they are too far. But I am planning on trying the canal( 12) this winter. I've heard the fishing can be pretty good out there in the winter.

Sark

drjohn71a · Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 5:13 pm Post subject:

While I know nothing about fishing up there in the Sound, I am entertaining sea trialing a boat up there, I am considering spending some time up there trying out a new boat. What type of weather do you all expect over the week between Christmas and New Year's Holiday? JOhn

lloyds · Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 5:19 pm Post subject:

I don't know about you natives, but I would expect cold rain, blustery, maybe a little fog.

Sawdust · Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 5:46 pm Post subject:

Or sunshine and warm. Just like OR, who knows??

Ken, cumon up. I've caught a whole bunch of immature kings in the winter months. Even won a derby or two with fish in high teens/low 20's.

And it sure could be cold, windy and wet... beats a casino.

Dusty

Pat Anderson · Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 7:37 pm Post subject:

Robbi · Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 9:55 pm Post subject:

A December day, South Sound, 2005. (Area 13) Robbi

B~C · Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 10:05 pm Post subject:

I like it.....maybe an impromptu C-Brat fishing derby/seminar would be in order...if the weather is decent.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 10:47 pm Post subject:

Robbi · Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:44 am Post subject:

Ok Pat, I didn't want to post this December picture because I don't want the secret out that once you go south of the Narrows Bridge, you enter winter boating heaven. And fly fishing for resident coho isn't bad either. Don't tell, OK? Robbi

drjohn71a · Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 12:28 pm Post subject:

Thanks, guys, but all the weather options up there seem alot better than what we expect in Kansas over Christmas.... I need to get some planning done! John